DIY Water Filtration Experiments

DIY Water Filtration Experiments

Pennsylvania-based Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment published a cool blog post that combines DIY science experiments with home water treatment lessons. The article walks readers through five simple filtration experiments using household items like plastic bottles, coffee filters, gravel, sand, and activated carbon from the aquarium store. Each experiment demonstrates a different filtration concept: layered media removal, sedimentation benefits, filter material comparisons, carbon adsorption, and flow rate trade-offs. The team explains how each experiment connects to real water treatment applications, like how the layered bottle filter ties to their multi-stage systems, the sedimentation experiment explains why well water needs pre-filtration, and the carbon demonstration showcases chlorine removal capabilities. The article includes safety notes about not drinking the demonstration water and provides links to additional educational resources from NASA, the American Chemical Society, and National Geographic Kids. The experiments are simple enough for kids but detailed enough to illustrate real filtration principles that apply to home systems.

Are Rural Wells Safe from PFAS?

Alamo Water Softeners published a detailed blog post targeting the misconception that rural wells automatically mean cleaner water. The article explains how PFAS contamination doesn't respect geographic boundaries and that forever chemicals can travel long distances through groundwater systems. The company points out that rural wells often tap shallow aquifers that are more vulnerable to surface contamination from agricultural runoff, septic systems, and historical pollution. They explain that decades of agricultural PFAS use in fertilizers, pesticides, and biosolids can leach into nearby wells, especially after heavy rainfall. The Alamo team outlines three main treatment options for PFAS removal: whole home filtration, reverse osmosis systems, and ion exchange resins. They expand the concern beyond drinking water, noting that PFAS contamination can affect pets, livestock, crops, and property values through irrigation and the broader food chain.

Culligan Smart Water Softener Review

In an article for Bob Vila, editor Stephanie Cronk published a detailed first-person review of upgrading from a 15-year-old Culligan system to the company's new Aquasential Smart High Efficiency model. Her well water tested at a brutal 20 GPG, putting it well into the "very hard" category that requires serious treatment. The review walks through the entire process from consultation to installation, highlighting Culligan's free in-home testing and same-week scheduling. Installation took 3 hours for the replacement, though she notes new installs could take 4 hours. The pricing ranges from $2,500 to $5,500 for purchase or $55 to $120 monthly for rental in her Troy, New York market. The smart features get a bunch of attention in the article as Cronk explains that the Culligan Connect app sends salt level alerts and error notifications, while the Aqua-Sensor technology automatically adjusts salt usage based on hardness fluctuations. After installation, her water tested at 1 to 1.5 GPG, a dramatic improvement that she noticed immediately in softer skin, hair, and spot-free dishes.

Are Refrigerator Water Filters Good?

Aquasana takes aim at kitchen appliances in a detailed breakdown of refrigerator water filter limitations that walks through what these filters can and (more importantly) can't do. The post explains that fridge filters mainly handle chlorine, taste, and odor issues but miss the serious contaminants like lead, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, microplastics, and biological threats. The team acknowledges the major convenience factor that makes fridge filters appealing, but calls out their weaknesses: inconsistent performance, potential bacteria buildup if not maintained properly, and zero protection during water emergencies or power outages. The article then compares fridge filters to whole house systems, under-sink units, reverse osmosis, and countertop models, positioning each as offering different levels of protection. The article frames filter upgrades as health and safety investments rather than luxury purchases.

What else is happening:

• WQA Podcast drops a new episode breaking down the latest WQA Manufacturer Confidence Report, saying the survey reflects “cautious optimism” among manufacturers

• Water Filter Guru reviewed the $499.99 Sans Water Purifier and provided a detailed, data-driven analysis of how it performed

• EcoWater of Tampa explains the science behind water conditioning and how it differs from water softening

• Arizona’s WES Water writes a detailed introduction to microplastics and why they’re a big deal for desert states