The Importance of Water Filtration

Water makes up about 60% of the human body and is core to most of our bodily functions. As a result, staying hydrated with the help of clean water is necessary to your health. To this end, local municipalities in the United States are charged with maintaining a safe supply of drinking water that you can easily access from the tap. Let’s look at the importance of water filtration.

The Importance of Water Filtration

Unfortunately, safe water isn’t necessarily tasty or refreshing water. Your local tap water often proves treated with a hefty helping of chlorine and pesticides. Then pipes shunt it through pipes made of heavy metals. The precise process will vary depending on your area, but there are practically always unwanted elements in your local tap water that will affect its flavor. Sadly, that doesn’t stop with your eight glasses a day.

Tap water that harbors remnants of chemicals and metals will change the flavor of anything processed through it including soda syrups, coffee, and even pasta. To ensure the best flavor experience, you should always use a commercial water filter to process tap water into a refreshing drink that won’t mess with the flavors of other beverages you may serve.

How Commercial Water Filters Work

For the most part, restaurant water filters are on the smaller side and may even be built into your SC Beverage Company machines. There are five primary types of water filtration. And most commercial water filters use a combination of these to filter your water. To find the best possible fit for your local tap water, you may consider having your water tested for pH and potential contaminants. If you do decide to go down that path, you will need to know what types of filtration to look for based on your results.

Mechanical:

Mechanical filters physically remove “larger” objects from your water. You’ll usually see a fine mesh or a material resembling cheesecloth being used for this purpose. You can tell how fine the physical filter is by the micron rating, with a smaller number indicating the ability to remove smaller particles.

Carbon:

Carbon is great at absorbing chemicals out of your water. This is why it is one of the most common aspects of commercial water filters. Does your water have a chlorinated flavor or any other chemical odors. Then an absorption filter using granular activated carbon or a carbon block will do wonders.

Sequestration:

You will see this process less commonly in a food service setting. Sequestration filtering generally uses polyphosphate to prevent the minerals within your water from forming a scale along pipes as well as other surfaces that come into frequent contact. Keep in mind, it isn’t actually softening the water because the minerals are still present just chemically isolated from each other.

Ion Exchange:

Your typical high-end water softener will use ion exchange by literally swapping ions between different compounds in your water. The goal is to target magnesium and calcium, both commonly associated with hard water stains and scaling. Some of these filters use sodium, but you won’t see that used for drinking water.

Reverse Osmosis:

This filtration technique remains almost always used in tandem with other forms of filtration. In isolation, reverse osmosis filtration acts by using water pressure to force water through a membrane. It sounds simple, but it is the most effective water filtration method available.

Enjoying Our H2O

Water is a regular part of our life. So why not enjoy it by using a filter that ensures it is as safe and pleasant as possible. Your customers will thank you for serving drinks that offer refreshment without an aftertaste.

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What Exactly do Water Filters Filter Out?

From commercial-grade equipment to simple off-the-shelf products at the grocery store, water filters come in many shapes and forms. They are made to filter out contaminants and other materials from water, making it safer and healthier to drink. But what many people don’t know is that commercial water filters do a number of different things. Depending on the type of filter you have, it may remove more than you’d think.

At SC Beverage, we provide the very best in commercial filtration equipment. Water filters are a critical part of the beverage serving process, and filtering out contaminants is the best way to ensure that your liquids are meeting health standards. If you’ve ever been curious about what commercial water filters actually do, check out the guide below!

The Two Functions of Commercial Water Filters

First, it’s important to understand that water filters work in two ways:

Physical filtration – the process of physically removing the contaminant from the water.

Active filtration – also known as chemical filtration, this process alters the contaminant in some way before it is removed.

Most water filters use both of these techniques together to successfully get rid of debris and purify the water before you drink it. Let’s take a closer look at the steps this process follows.

Dirt, Sand, and Debris

Water taken from natural sources is bound to have a buildup of sediment or silt inside of it. This is the role of the physical filter, to remove these kinds of natural particles from the water. Many portable water filters come with cartridges or backwashing systems that can easily get rid of dirt. Dirty water goes into the filter, and sediment sticks while the clean water passes through.

Chlorine and Other Chemicals

Chlorine is often a part of municipal water treatment systems as a cleanser. It kills bacteria and harmful microorganisms that nobody wants to have in their water. However, the chlorine itself must also be filtered out before the water is drinkable. Chlorine makes water taste terrible, not to mention it can cause irritation on the skin and in the body.

A similar chemical, chloramine, is also harmful to the body. It can also harm marine animals. The best way to get rid of these chemicals is with a carbon-based water filter that uses the active filtration process.

A Note on Fluoride

There is an ongoing conversation about whether or not fluoride should be in the water. Many medical professionals affirm that fluoride in the water is healthy and promotes good dental health, which is why fluoride is a prominent chemical in toothpaste. But in some cases, it’s better if fluoride is filtered out of the water. This can be for various reasons. The solution for getting rid of fluoride is based on reverse osmosis systems or RO systems. This pushes water through a very small and sensitive membrane-like filter that catches pretty much anything except for the purest water. In most cases, fluoride is a healthy ingredient that can make the water look and taste better.

It’s important to know what is filtered by your water filter and what isn’t. For most of the harmful contaminants, any kind of water filter will do. Filtered water is, as PUR says, “better for your health, for your wallet, and for the environment”. And our SC Beverage representatives agree; filtered water is essential for keeping up with your customers’ health and well-being.

Invest in the Best Water Filtration Systems for Your Beverages

SC Beverage specializes in high-quality, industrial-grade beverage equipment of all types and sizes. Whether you are looking for a coffee maker, a soda fountain, or a distillation machine, you can find the best deals with us. Water filtration is a key component of our save beverage practices, and we can help you implement the same healthy system in your own business or home. To learn more, contact us online or give us a call at (562) 463-8918!

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Why You Need Water Filters in Your Restaurant

If you want to run a successful restaurant business, don’t make the mistake of skipping out on water filters. Water filters are a crucial part of keeping your equipment clean, serving the highest quality food and beverage, and preventing waste and unnecessary repair costs.

Not All Taps Are Created Equal

After being seated, the first items you are greeted with at any restaurant are menus and water. Water is always a part of the meal — whether you choose to drink it or not, it is undoubtedly being used to cook or sanitize your meal. While most tap water is safe to drink, it’s not always the healthiest. Guidelines for safe water drinking are often overlooked and contain harmful contaminants that can affect your health and mental well-being. In addition, if your restaurant is in an old building, the pipes that hold your water may also be old. Out-dated pipes run a higher risk of lead contamination. It’s important that you ensure the safety of your guests by making sure their water is free of chemicals and bacteria. Adding an extra layer of protection with water filters in Los Angeles does the job of making sure your water is safe and clean. Fresh tasting water is also always a sign that a restaurant is sanitary, setting the customer at ease by providing reassurance that their food will be sanitary too.

Water Is Used Everywhere

Not only is water used for beverage consumption, it’s also used for cleaning, cooking, and filtered through other machinery to make ice or coffee. In a restaurant it is the staff’s job to ensure all tables are wiped down before guests are sat and that all visible areas are free of clutter and mess. Often restaurants will avoid using cleaning sprays, as they contain chemicals unsafe for consumption, and will instead apt to use water and sometimes a little sanitizer. A clean table is essential to providing the best dining experience. If someone is seated at a dirty table, or a table that was wiped down but still omits a rather pungent stench, you are already painting a picture of uncleanliness for your customers. Using water filters in Los Angeles ensures that tables are being cleaned effectively and efficiently.

Protecting Your Machinery & Saving You Money

Water filters are not only imperative for tap water, but also the many machines that are used to run a restaurant.

Ice

Ice is not made on its own — it needs water! Ice is used to chill the cocktail your customer just ordered, fill other beverages, and keep food cold. The same taps that are used in your water system are also used to make ice. Using a water filter for your ice machine clears any possible bacteria from forming and keeps your machine working more efficiently. Without harmful chemicals weighing it down, ice machines produce ice more quickly, use less energy in its production, and tend to have a longer shelf life.

Coffee

Coffee machines, from a simple drip brewer system to an espresso machine, all require water. In either scenario, to produce a cup of coffee or espresso, water is pushed through a filter filled with coffee grounds. The taste and cleanliness of that water undeniably affects the taste of the coffee. Therefore, water filters are crucial to making a clean, delicious cup of coffee. Without them, sediment buildup can cause coffee machines to break down or create a bitter flavor in your cup.

Repairs and Replacement

Often restaurants that don’t use water filters in Los Angeles end up having to purchase new equipment earlier than expected. Using a water filtration system can prevent you from these unnecessary expenses and keep your machinery running longer and stronger.

Ensuring the health and safety of your customers is just as important as impressing them with a delicious meal. Both are a part of providing a memorable dining experience and both should be highly considered. Using water filters is a reliable way to guarantee the safety of your guest’s health and protect your restaurant from avoidable, excessive costs. Here at SC Beverage, we pride ourselves on the quality of our service and products and would like to help you do the same. Contact us to find out more on how water filters can add to the success of your establishment.

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