Clean and safe drinking water is essential for a healthy life. With increasing water contamination, choosing the right water purifier has become crucial. With multiple options available, selecting the best one for your home can be overwhelming. This guide will help you understand key factors to consider before making a decision.

1. Assess Your Water Quality

The first step in choosing a water purifier is determining the quality of your tap water. Different sources of water have varying levels of impurities, including:

• High TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) – Common in borewell water, requires RO purification.
• Biological Contaminants – Bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, usually found in municipal water supplies, require UV purification.
• Chemical Contaminants – Lead, pesticides, and chlorine, which may need an advanced filtration system.

2. Types of Water Purifiers

Depending on the impurities present in your water supply, you can choose from the following types of water purifiers:

a) Reverse Osmosis (RO) Purifiers

• Ideal for high TDS levels.
• Removes heavy metals, salts, and dissolved impurities.
• Requires electricity and produces wastewater.

b) Ultraviolet (UV) Purifiers

• Suitable for municipal water supply.
• Eliminates bacteria and viruses without altering taste.
• Does not remove dissolved solids.

c) Ultrafiltration (UF) Purifiers

• Works without electricity.
• Effective against bacteria and sediments.
• Cannot remove dissolved salts.

d) Activated Carbon Filters

• Removes chlorine, bad odor, and organic compounds.
• Best used as a pre-filter in combination with other systems.

e) Gravity-Based Purifiers

• Ideal for areas with no electricity.
• Works using activated carbon and UF membranes.
• Suitable for low TDS water.

3. Consider Storage Capacity

If you face frequent power cuts or have a large family, opt for a water purifier with a sufficient storage tank. Purifiers typically have storage capacities ranging from 5 to 15 liters.

4. Maintenance and Filter Replacement

Regular maintenance ensures the purifier functions efficiently. RO and UV purifiers require periodic filter and membrane replacements, whereas gravity-based purifiers have lower maintenance needs.

5. Budget and Brand Reliability

Water purifiers vary in price depending on features and technology. Invest in a trusted brand that offers good after-sales service and warranty coverage.

6. Additional Features to Look For

• TDS Controller: Adjusts essential minerals in RO purifiers.
• Mineral Enhancer: Retains essential minerals lost during purification.
• Smart Indicators: Alerts for filter replacement and UV lamp failure.