Don't be confused about pure water, clean water, and wastewater in water purifiers!

Don't be confused about pure water, clean water, and wastewater in water purifiers!

In daily life, using a water purifier can produce pure water, purified water and wastewater, they sound similar, but in fact there is a world of difference. When you are ready to buy a water purifier for your family, is not confused by these terms? Or maybe you're confused about the different types of water produced when using a water purifier? Don't worry, today this article for you to open the pure water, water, wastewater, the mystery, so you can easily identify, for the family's healthy drinking water escort .

First, pure water: pure “favorite”

(A) Definition and production principles
Pure water, as the name suggests, is a kind of water almost does not contain any impurities, its main component is the water molecule, the chemical formula for H ₂ O. In our daily lives, we come into contact with pure water, most of them are made through the RO reverse osmosis technology. RO reverse osmosis technology is the U.S. government and the NASA in order to solve the astronauts in the spacecraft drinking water and water problems, spend a huge amount of money over many years to develop a high-tech products, and now has been widely used in the field of water. High-tech products, now widely used in various fields.
The working principle of RO technology is based on the characteristics of semi-permeable membranes. Semi-permeable membrane is like a super fine filter, it only allows water molecules to pass through, and other substances such as inorganic salts, heavy metal ions, organic matter, colloids, bacteria, viruses and other substances have a strong barrier ability. When the raw water enters the reverse osmosis membrane under the action of external pressure, because the pressure is greater than the osmotic pressure of the raw water, the water molecules will pass through the semi-permeable membrane, so as to get the pure water, and those substances that can not pass through the membrane are retained on the other side of the membrane, the formation of the concentrated water, that is, the wastewater that we often say. Simply put, this is like a “knockout race” between water and impurities, only the water molecules can successfully “break through” and become the pure water we need .

(B) Characteristics and uses
The biggest feature of pure water is the purity is extremely high, almost no impurities, odor, water clarity and transparency. This high degree of purity makes the pure water in life and industry have a wide range of applications.
In daily life, pure water is the first choice of many people in pursuit of high quality drinking water. It can be consumed directly, with a crisp and clean taste and without any unpleasant odor, replenishing our bodies with pure water. For brewing baby milk powder, pure water is even a better choice. Babies' stomachs are delicate and require high quality water. Pure water is free from impurities and bacteria, so it can avoid irritating babies' stomachs and ensure their healthy growth. In cooking, the use of pure water can also allow food to better retain the original flavor and nutrition, such as using pure water to make soup, the soup will taste more delicious.
In the industrial field, pure water also plays an important role. In the electronics industry, such as semiconductor manufacturing process, the water quality requirements are almost harsh, even a very small amount of impurities may affect the performance and quality of electronic products, so the need to use high-purity ultra-pure water to clean electronic components. In the pharmaceutical industry, pure water is also an indispensable raw material used in the production of drugs, preparation and cleaning equipment to ensure the quality and safety of drugs. In addition, in the laboratory, pure water is also commonly used in a variety of chemical experiments and analytical testing, to provide accurate and reliable experimental conditions for scientific research.

(C) Advantages and disadvantages of analysis
The advantages of pure water are obvious. First of all, its purity is high, almost does not contain any germs and harmful substances, can effectively avoid various diseases caused by drinking unclean water, to provide a strong protection for our health. Secondly, the taste of pure water is good, mellow and refreshing, whether it is used for direct drinking or brewing drinks, it can bring a pleasant experience. Furthermore, in some areas that require very high water quality, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, etc., the use of pure water can ensure the quality and performance of products and promote the development of related industries.

However, pure water is not perfect. Since almost all minerals and trace elements are removed during the production process, long-term consumption of purified water may lead to a lack of these essential nutrients. For example, calcium, magnesium and other minerals are very important for maintaining bone health, nerve conduction and muscle contraction and other physiological functions, a long-term lack of which may have a certain impact on health. In addition, pure water does not contain any buffer substances, its pH value is usually neutral, and the acid-base balance of human body fluids may have certain differences, long-term consumption of large quantities may have a potential impact on the acid-base balance of the human body . However, for most people, occasional consumption of purified water does not pose much of a health risk if they are able to consume enough minerals and trace elements through a balanced diet. When choosing drinking water, we can make a reasonable choice according to our own needs and the actual situation.

Second, water purification: retain the beneficial substances of water
(A) Purification methods and principles
Water purification refers to the removal of suspended solids, colloids, microorganisms, some dissolved solids, and some organic and inorganic substances in water through certain physical or chemical means, so that the water quality is improved. Its purification process is mainly to improve the sensory properties and safety of water, making it more suitable for drinking and daily use . In this process, minerals and trace elements that are beneficial to the human body are retained, so that we can enjoy clean water and at the same time take in the necessary nutrients .
There are various ways to achieve this goal, commonly including sedimentation and filtration, activated carbon filtration, ultrafiltration (UF), ultraviolet sterilization, and ozone sterilization. Sedimentation and filtration are the initial steps in water purification, removing suspended particles from the water by gravity or mechanical means, allowing the water to become initially clear. Activated carbon filtration uses the powerful adsorption capacity of activated carbon to remove odors, pigments and some organic matter from the water. You can imagine that activated carbon is like a super “adsorption sponge”, able to hold on to those impurities in the water that affect the taste and health . Ultrafiltration technology utilizes the sieving action of the ultrafiltration membrane to remove bacteria, viruses and some large organic molecules from the water . The ultrafiltration membrane has a very small pore size of 0.01 - 0.001 microns, but can effectively block out these harmful substances, while allowing beneficial minerals and trace elements to pass through. UV sterilization and ozone disinfection ensure the safety of water by killing microorganisms in the water. Ultraviolet light is like an invisible “scalpel” that can destroy the DNA structure of bacteria and viruses, making them inactive; ozone is a strong oxidizer that can quickly kill bacteria and viruses in water .

(ii) Applicable Scenarios
Since purified water retains a certain amount of minerals, not only tastes better, but also provides the body with necessary trace elements, so it is widely used in daily life. In the family, purified water is ideal for washing vegetables and cooking . Washing vegetables with purified water can effectively remove pesticide residues and impurities on the surface of vegetables, making them cleaner and more hygienic; cooking with purified water makes the cooked rice more flavorful and nutritious, and the nutrients can be better preserved. In washing, clean water can also play an important role. Using clean water to wash your face can reduce the stimulation of impurities in the water on the skin, making the skin more refreshing and comfortable; using clean water to brush your teeth can help keep your mouth clean and prevent oral diseases. In addition, purified water can also be used for feeding pets, watering flowers, etc., to provide health protection for all aspects of family life.
(iii) Comparison with pure water
From the water quality point of view, pure water almost does not contain any impurities, purity is very high; and although the purified water removed most of the harmful substances, but still retains some beneficial minerals and trace elements. This makes the two in the taste is also different, pure water taste crisp, without any flavor; purified water because of the minerals, the taste is richer, with a hint of sweetness. In terms of usage, pure water is more suitable for areas with very high water quality requirements, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, etc.; while purified water is closer to daily life, to meet the various water needs of the family. Whether to choose pure water or purified water depends on individual needs and the actual situation. If you pursue the ultimate purity, or have special industrial needs, then pure water may be more suitable for you; but if you pay attention to the health of daily diet and living water, and hope to enjoy clean water while taking in the necessary nutrients, then water purification is undoubtedly a better choice.
Third, wastewater: misunderstood “supporting role”
(A) the cause
Wastewater, is a water purifier in the working process of the discharge water, which mainly stems from the working principle of reverse osmosis membrane . Reverse osmosis membrane is like a super fine filter, it is working, with the help of high pressure will be raw water through the semi-permeable membrane, so that water molecules through, and other impurities, bacteria, viruses, heavy metal ions and salts, etc. are intercepted on the other side of the membrane, with the increase in the number of intercepted substances, the concentration of this part of the water continues to rise, and ultimately the formation of wastewater . It's like a sieve, in the process of sifting things, those sifted out are gathered together to form “waste” .
In addition, in order to ensure the normal operation of the reverse osmosis membrane and the filtration effect, the water purifier will also regularly rinse the filter cartridge, and the water produced during the rinsing process will also become part of the wastewater . This is just like we regularly clean the filter, cleaning down the dirt and water mixed together, it becomes wastewater . Moreover, the quality of raw water varies from region to region, and the content of impurities and salts in the water also varies, which also affects the amount of wastewater produced. If the raw water quality is poorer, more impurities and salts, then the wastewater produced in the filtration process will naturally be more .
(ii) Is wastewater really “waste”?
Many people think that wastewater is useless water, in fact, it is not. Although wastewater contains more impurities and salts, and is not suitable for direct drinking, but it is not completely useless. In fact, after the initial filtration of the first few stages of the cartridge, most of the large particles of impurities in the wastewater have been removed, only its salt content and bacteria content is relatively high.
In daily life, wastewater can be used in some scenarios that do not require high water quality . For example, flushing the toilet, connecting the wastewater to the toilet tank and using the wastewater every time the toilet is flushed can make effective use of water resources and reduce the amount of fresh water used, lowering the cost of water in the household . Mopping the floor is also a good use of wastewater. Mopping the floor with wastewater can clean the floor without causing damage to the floor. In some rural areas, wastewater can also be used to irrigate farmland to provide water for crops, although it should be noted that the salts in the wastewater may have a certain impact on the soil, so it is not suitable for long-term use in large quantities. In addition, wastewater can also be used to wash vehicles, wipe furniture, etc., as long as the rational use, wastewater can also play its value .
(iii) How to reduce the generation of wastewater

As people's awareness of environmental protection increases, how to reduce the generation of wastewater from water purifiers has become a matter of concern. First of all, when buying a water purifier, you can choose a water-saving water purifier . There are some new water purifiers on the market that use advanced water-saving technology to effectively reduce the amount of wastewater generated . For example, some water purifiers have improved the water recovery rate by optimizing the design and operating parameters of the reverse osmosis membrane, so that the ratio of wastewater to pure water has reached a more reasonable level . Secondly, the rational use of water purifiers can also reduce the generation of wastewater .
For example, do not switch on and off the water purifier frequently, because every time you start the water purifier, it will carry out a rinsing program, which will produce a certain amount of wastewater . In addition, according to the family's actual water demand, reasonable adjustment of the working mode of the water purifier, if the water consumption is low, you can appropriately reduce the frequency of operation of the water purifier . It is also very important to replace the filter cartridge regularly. When the filter cartridge is used for too long and clogged by impurities, the efficiency of the water purifier will be reduced and the amount of wastewater generated will increase . Therefore, regular replacement of the filter cartridge according to the manufacturer's recommendations can ensure the normal operation of the water purifier and reduce the production of wastewater . In addition, you can also install a pre-filter at the front of the water purifier, preliminary filtration of raw water to remove large particles of impurities, reducing the filtering burden of the water purifier, thereby reducing the amount of wastewater generated . Through these methods, we can enjoy clean water while minimizing the waste of water.
Fourth, how to distinguish between pure water, water purification and wastewater
(A) Appearance and taste
from the appearance, pure water is clear and transparent, without any impurities and suspended solids, like crystal, pure to the bottom of one's eyes. This is because it has gone through strict filtration and purification, almost all the impurities removed. Holding pure water in your hand, you will find that it is extremely transparent, without the slightest sense of turbidity. Pure water is relatively clear, but may be a little light color or slightly turbid, this is because it has removed most of the harmful substances, but still retains some of the minerals and trace elements beneficial to the human body. These minerals and trace elements may change the appearance of the water slightly, but do not affect its clarity. If you look closely with the naked eye, you may be able to detect subtle differences.

Wastewater, on the other hand, is significantly different, as it may have an odor, be darker in color, and may even be turbid and have suspended matter. This is because wastewater contains a lot of filtered out impurities, bacteria, viruses and salts, making its water quality worse. When you are close to the wastewater, you can easily smell the pungent odor, which is unbearable. In terms of taste, pure water tastes pure, without any odor, mellow and refreshing, just like the clear spring in the mountains, giving people a feeling of freshness and nature . Its purity makes it in the mouth without any miscellaneous flavors, only pure water molecules bring refreshing . With a sip of pure water, you will feel your throat being moisturized and your body and mind being relaxed . Pure water may taste a little richer and slightly sweeter due to the amount of minerals it contains. These minerals interact with the water molecules to add a unique flavor to the water . When you taste purified water, you can feel the difference between it and pure water, and the light sweetness spreads in your mouth, giving you an aftertaste. Wastewater, on the other hand, is bitter and hard to swallow due to its high content of impurities and salt. When you take a sip of wastewater, you will immediately feel the sour and salty taste, which causes strong irritation to the mouth and throat. This bad taste makes it impossible to use it as drinking water . Through the simple judgment of appearance and taste, we can initially distinguish between pure water, purified water and wastewater .
(II) Testing Tools and Methods

In addition to differentiation by appearance and taste, we can also use some professional testing tools and methods to accurately determine the TDS pen is a common testing tool, which can measure the total amount of dissolved solids in water. The TDS value of pure water is usually between 0 - 50ppm, the lower the value, the less impurities in the water, the higher the purity. When you test pure water with a TDS pen, it shows a very low value, close to zero. This is because pure water contains almost no impurities, only pure water molecules. The TDS value of purified water is usually between 50 - 300ppm, because it retains some of the minerals, so the value will be relatively high. The TDS value of purified water is affected by the quality of water in different areas and the filtration effect of the water purifier. If the local water quality is good and the filtration effect of the water purifier is good, the TDS value of purified water may be close to 50ppm; on the contrary, if the water quality is poor, the TDS value may be close to 300ppm. The TDS value of wastewater can be very high, usually above 300ppm and may even exceed 1000ppm. This is due to the fact that wastewater contains a large amount of filtered out impurities and salts, resulting in a significant increase in the total amount of dissolved solids. When the wastewater is tested with a TDS pen, it will show a very high value, which is a clear indication that the wastewater is of poor quality. Water quality testing reagents are also an effective method of testing . For example, a chlorine reagent detects the amount of chlorine in the water. Drop the reagent into the water, according to the color change of the water and the color card comparison, you can determine the content of residual chlorine in the water. Pure water after strict filtration and purification, almost does not contain residual chlorine, drops of residual chlorine reagent into the water, the color of the water basically does not change. Although purified water has been filtered, there may still be a small amount of residual chlorine, after dropping the reagent, the water will show a light color. Wastewater, due to the high content of impurities and the possibility of disinfection, the residual chlorine content may be higher, and the color of the water will be darker after dropping the reagent. Through these testing tools and methods, we can more accurately distinguish between pure water, purified water and wastewater, to provide protection for our living water.

V. Choosing the right water for you
(i) Choosing according to needs
In our daily life, we have a variety of water needs, and different types of water have their own advantages in meeting these needs. For drinking, pure water and purified water are good choices . If you are looking for the ultimate in purity, or if you have people at home with high water quality requirements, such as babies and the elderly, then pure water is the first choice, as it contains virtually no impurities and provides the purest source of water for your family. But if you want to take in some minerals while supplementing water, then purified water will be more suitable, it retains the minerals and trace elements beneficial to the human body, the taste is also richer. Cooking water also needs to be selected according to different dishes and cooking methods . Generally speaking, using purified water to make soup can make the soup's flavor more pure, highlighting the freshness of the ingredients themselves; while using purified water to cook rice can make the rice more sweet and delicious, because the minerals in it help stimulate the aroma of the rice. When washing ingredients, purified water can effectively remove impurities and pesticide residues on the surface, guaranteeing the cleanliness of the ingredients. For washing, purified water is more suitable. Washing face with purified water can reduce the irritation of impurities on the skin and keep the skin fresh; brushing teeth with purified water can help maintain a clean and healthy mouth. In addition, in some scenarios that do not require high water quality, such as mopping the floor, flushing the toilet, etc., wastewater can be reasonably utilized, which saves water resources and reduces the cost of household water.
(ii) Suggestions for purchasing water purifier
In the face of a wide range of water purifiers on the market, how to choose a suitable product for your family? First of all, pay attention to the brand . Choosing a well-known brand of water purifier means more reliable quality and better after-sales service. Well-known brands usually invest more in research and development, production and quality control, which can ensure the performance and stability of the product . Like Eketech, it is trustworthy . Filter quality is the core of water purifier. Different cartridges have different filtration effects and service life, common PP cotton cartridge, activated carbon cartridge, ultrafiltration membrane cartridge and RO reverse osmosis membrane cartridge, etc. RO reverse osmosis membrane cartridge can effectively remove bacteria, viruses, heavy metals and other harmful substances in the water, with high filtration precision, it is a more advanced type of cartridge on the market. When purchasing, it is important to understand the material, filtration precision and service life of the cartridge, as well as the cost and convenience of replacing the cartridge. Wastewater ratio is also an important consideration. Wastewater ratio refers to the ratio of pure water to wastewater produced by a water purifier. For example, a wastewater ratio of 2:1 means that for every 2 liters of pure water produced, 1 liter of wastewater is produced. Choosing a water purifier with a low wastewater ratio reduces water wastage and lowers the cost of ownership. Generally speaking, a waste water ratio of 1:1, 2:1 or 3:1 is a reasonable choice.
In addition, you can choose the right type of water purifier according to your family's actual water demand. If the family has a large population and a large water consumption, you can choose a water purifier with a larger capacity to meet the daily water demand; if the water quality at home is poor, containing more sediment, rust and other impurities, you can choose a water purifier with a pre-filter, the initial filtration of raw water to reduce the burden of the main cartridge. In the purchase of water purifiers, to carefully check the product specifications and parameters, to understand its functions and features, you can also consult professionals or other users to obtain more information and advice .

Summing up: correct understanding, rational use
Pure water, purified water and wastewater, although they have different “identities” and characteristics, they all play an important role in our lives . Pure water with its high degree of purity meets our needs for high quality drinking water and special industrial water; purified water retains beneficial substances and provides a healthy and practical source of water for our daily life; wastewater, although unsuitable for direct drinking, can be recycled to a certain extent through rational use of water resources .
Correct understanding and rational use of these three kinds of water is of great significance for us to safeguard the health of our family water and save water resources. In our daily life, we should choose the right kind of water according to our needs. At the same time, we should also pay attention to water conservation and rational use of wastewater, so that every drop of water can give full play to its maximum value . We hope that through today's introduction, you have a clearer understanding of pure water, purified water and wastewater, and can make a more informed choice for your family's healthy drinking water .