Making the right choice?

Summer is fast approaching and you are probably thinking of buying a water purifier. How do you go about choosing one, especially when they come with jargon about purifying processes and several claims that leave you no wiser?

If you believe that RO (reverse osmosis) purifiers are better because they are ‘technically advanced’ and more expensive, you are mistaken and misled, says Marzin Shroff, CEO – Direct Sales, and Senior Vice-President – Marketing, Eureka Forbes. There is ferocious competition in the country’s water purification systems market where the major players, besides Eureka Forbes, include Kent RO and Hindustan Unilever’s Pureit. Shroff alleges that other companies in the water purification business promote RO technology and systems despite the fact that not all water needs to be treated this way. Eureka Forbes’ own business is split halfway between UV and RO systems, says Shroff. RO systems are usually more expensive. RO is meant to remove certain heavy metals and contaminants such as arsenic or fluoride which are found in only some locations, not all. Water conditions and quality in India vary by region and there is no one-size-fits-all technology to purify it. Using RO to purify water where it is not needed de-mineralises the water and adds to water wastage.

Shroff explains that there are two kinds of water sources: rain water/surface water and ground water/ from the borewell. Surface water, which has comparatively lower levels of TDS (total dissolved solids, which include minerals and chemicals), can be treated with UV (ultraviolet) technology if the TDS is less than 200 ppm. Even water with TDS of up to 500 ppm can be treated with UV systems, though most firms advise an RO system, says Shroff. “The salts can be healthy or unhealthy, it depends on where the customer lives,” he points out. Over 500 ppm, and an RO system is usually necessary. It is vital to get the water tested to determine what kind of a purification system one needs, and ethical firms will be able to give the right recommendation after having their analysts test it.

One challenge of using an RO system when it is not needed relates to health. Demineralised water (or water with fewer minerals) can strip one of some nutrients essential to good health. “Unfortunately, not much attention is given to the beneficial or protective effects of drinking water substances, and the main focus remains on the toxicological properties or contaminants,” says Shroff. A UV system kills all the microcontaminants such as bacteria and viruses whereas the RO filters them.

The other problem with it is that during purification in an RO system, with a filter of 0.0001 microns, about half the water is discarded. In a country like India with 16 per cent of the world’s population and only four per cent of the world’s water, this is hardly the ideal choice when it need not be. However, what does he recommend for customers who need an RO system but cannot afford one? Water can be stored and customers can rent an RO system to purify it, for about ₹600-700 a month if it’s from his company, says Shroff.

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