Point of Use and Point of Entry Water Treatment Systems

If you’re concerned about your health, professional water treatment for your home may be a smart move. Contaminates such as bacteria, mold, and other dangerous particles may enter your pipes, which can not only be harmful to drink, but can wreak havoc on your taste buds. Methods can range greatly in quality, price, and speed of filtration. From the budget-friendly point of use systems such as reusable bottles to more complex ones that begin before any liquid enters the house pipes. While the methods and models differ, there are two main types of water treatment options to consider: point of use and point of entry. 

Point of Use
For people on a budget or with minimal contamination concerns, point of use water treatment systems tend to be adequate enough to cover their needs. These are devices that are easily installed directly into the tap (most often the kitchen where drinking is most common) or liquid is poured into it, such as a pitcher, and then filtered during pouring. If you travel a lot or go running, you may be growing tired of the waste and cost of plastic bottles. Reusable filtration bottles are available that can treat regular tap to make it more potable. Similarly, pitchers with replaceable filters are often used in-home. 

If you need a higher volume of liquid, faucet mounts can be installed which can be switched on to provide drinkable fluid at the switch of a lever. You may also choose to have a separate faucet installed which will only dispense filtered liquid. A more complex system involves a permanent plumbed-in connection. 

Point of Entry
These water treatment systems are installed next to the meter outside of your home. The difference between this and a point of use system is that the liquid is treated before it enters any of the pipes in your home, which means everything will be filtered from your drinking source to the laundry to the shower. Point of entry aims to reduce and remove many contaminates including odors and sediments as well as provides softening. Many people who invest in these systems also install point of use filters to provide an extra level of safety.

So which water treatment system should you choose for your home? If budget is your biggest consideration, point of use will likely be your only option. In most homes, this is sufficient. If you do have regular and persistent problems with the quality of the fluid in your home, it may be worth the extra money to purchase a point of entry. If drinking isn’t your only issue and you dislike the quality of showers or laundry, then again, point of entry is the clear winner. 

Which products should you purchase? Look for those that are certified by a professional agency that proves their claims are accurate. You should also seek products and services that have guarantees and a warranty. Systems can be delicate and break easily, so you want to ensure you won’t have to replace it every few months.