Results:

Parameters Reverse Deionization/ Distillation Activated Precipitation/ Ultraviolet Boiling

Osmosis Ion exchange carbon Coagulating

Total dissolved A B B X X X X
solids (TDS)
Chemical A X X A A X X
oxygen demand
(COD)
Chlorine A X P A X X X
Alkali Fume A B A X X X X
Chloroform A X P A X X X
Bacteria A X A P X A A
Viruses A X A X X A A

Arsenic B B B X X X X

Precipitate A X A P A X X

Agricultural A X A A X X X
Chemicals
Dioxin A X A P X X X

Radioactive B B P X X X X
material
Taste and odour A X X A X X X

Fluorescence A X X X X X X
Cadmium B B B X X X X
Lead B B A X X X X
Sodium B B A X X X X

Sulphur B B A X X X X

Magnesium B B A A X X X

A= 98-99% Removal; B= 96-99% Removal; P= Partial Removal; X= Unable to remove

Table of portable water filtration methods comparison with percentages of removal [1].
Discussion:
Reverse osmosis
The table above indicates that reverse osmosis is able to remove and filter most of the
substances of the parameters. Reverse osmosis shows the highest percentage removal for
total dissolved solids (TDS) compared to other methods. It removes TDS by exerting
pressure to the water and forcing it through a synthetic membrane. The synthetic
membrane is equipped with microscopic pores which is only permeable to molecules that
are smaller than 0.0001 micron to pass through. Therefore, the water will squeeze through
the membrane leaving larger molecules like dissolved metals and salt behind [2]. Moreover
it also shows that reverse osmosis is able to filter common chemical contaminants like
sodium, cadmium, chloride, lead, arsenic, sulphur, magnesium and so on. It is because it
uses a process that reverses the flow of water during a process of osmosis to enable water
to pass through from a more concentrated solution to a more diluted solution through a
semi-permeable membrane [3]. Reverse osmosis also has a very high effectiveness in
removing bacteria, viruses due to it’s extremely fine semi-permeable membrane that can
filter out bacteria or germs that are relatively larger compared to the size of it’s microscopic
pores. It is also the only method which can remove fluorescence that can initiate cancer if
it’s level is high in drinking water.