Does filtration remove all impurities from water?

Filtration is a crucial step in the water treatment process, but it does not eliminate all impurities. While filtration is effective in removing suspended solids, such as dirt, debris, and some microorganisms, it is not effective against dissolved impurities like certain chemicals, salts, and heavy metals unless specialized filters, such as reverse osmosis or activated carbon systems, are employed.

Filtration systems can vary widely in their capabilities; for example, a simple mechanical filter may remove particulate matter but will not address chemical contaminants. Therefore, while filtration is an essential method for improving water quality, it has limitations and does not achieve complete purification on its own. This distinction helps in understanding the necessity of additional treatment methods for achieving comprehensive water quality objectives.