How Water Filtration Works? (And Why Every Home in Los Angeles Needs It)

Clean water feels normal until you taste chlorine, see sediment, or worry about contaminants in your Los Angeles tap. Water filtration works by removing unwanted particles, chemicals, and minerals using physical barriers, adsorption, or advanced membranes like reverse osmosis (RO). After 31+ years serving Southern California families, Hague Quality Water knows the right filtration starts with testing your hard, chlorinated municipal water.

At Hague Quality Water of Southern California, we’ve been helping homeowners improve their water for over 31 years, and here’s what we know.

What Is Water Filtration and How Does It Work?

Southern California water from LADWP/MWD often has high chlorine (for disinfection) plus hardness (7-18+ GPG), needing multi-stage filtration. Water filtration is the process of removing unwanted substances—like sediment, chlorine, minerals, or harmful contaminants—from your water supply. The goal is to make your water cleaner, safer, and better tasting.

Different systems use different technologies, but most filtration methods fall into three main categories:

1. Physical Filtration (sediment filters)

This method physically blocks particles from passing through. Think of it like a coffee filter, but for your water.

• Removes: Sand, dirt, rust, and other visible particles.

• Common in: Sediment filters and pre-filters in whole house systems.

  
  

2. Chemical Filtration (activated carbon)

This method uses special materials (like activated carbon) to attract and trap chemicals in the water.

• Removes: Chlorine, pesticides, PFAS, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and odors.

• Common in: Carbon filters, pitcher filters, and whole house filtration units

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3. Biological / Advanced Filtration (reverse osmosis)

This method targets microscopic contaminants. Reverse Osmosis (RO), for example, forces water through a semi-permeable membrane that removes even the tiniest impurities.

• Removes: Lead, arsenic, nitrates, fluoride, and other dissolved contaminants.

• Common in: Under-sink RO systems and high-end drinking water solutions.

What Is a Membrane Filter and How Does RO Work?

• A membrane filter is a very thin, semi-permeable sheet with microscopic pores that acts like a barrier. It allows pure water molecules to pass through while blocking larger particles, dissolved salts, and harmful contaminants.

  Think of it like a super-fine strainer that works at the molecular level.

  
  

   How It Works in Water Filtration

  
  

  • Water is forced through the membrane under pressure.

  • The pores in the RO membrane are typically about 0.0001 microns (much smaller than bacteria or viruses).

  • Clean water passes through as “permeate.”

  • Contaminants are flushed away as “reject water” or concentrate.”

    
    

Types of Water Filtration Systems

Each technology plays a role, and the best system depends on your water and your needs:

• Pitcher & Faucet Filters: 

  Simple and affordable, but limited in capacity.

• Reverse Osmosis Systems: 

  Extremely effective for drinking water—removes up to 99% of common contaminants.

• Whole House Filtration: 

  Treats all the water entering your home, improving taste, smell, and clarity at every tap.

• Water Softeners: 

  Designed to remove hardness minerals, preventing scale buildup and protecting appliances.

  
  

Types of Water Filtration Systems Compared

Filtration Type	How It Works	Removes	Best For
Physical (Sediment)	Traps particles like a sieve	Dirt, rust, sand	Pre-filters, whole house
Chemical (Carbon)	Adsorbs chemicals/odors	Chlorine, VOCs, taste	Drinking, showers
Membrane (RO)	Pushes water through tiny pores (0.0001 microns)	Lead, arsenic, 99% contaminants	Pure drinking water
Hague MaxPack	Combines all 3 + softening	Hardness + chemicals + particles	Complete home solution

Why Filtration Matters in Southern California Homes

Unfiltered water can cause more than just bad taste:

• Health Risks: 

  Contaminants like lead, arsenic, or nitrates can pose serious health concerns.

• Appliance Damage: 

  Hard water minerals shorten the lifespan of dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters.

• Quality of Life: 

  Clean, soft water means brighter laundry, spot-free dishes, healthier skin and hair, and peace of mind.

  
  

Finding the Best Water Filtration for Your Home

Hague Quality Water of Southern California installs RO, whole-house systems, and MaxPack for Los Angeles, Orange County homes. Here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all water filter. The best solution depends on what’s in your water. That’s why we always begin with a free water test. Once we know exactly what’s flowing from your tap, we can recommend the right combination—whether it’s a reverse osmosis system, a whole house system, or a MaxPack that does it all.

Final Thoughts

Water filtration works by removing what you don’t want—sediment, chemicals, and contaminants—while leaving you with what you do want: clean, safe, great-tasting water.

"Discover how water filtration works for your Southern California home. Hague Quality Water offers free in-home tests to measure chlorine, hardness, contaminants, and recommend the best system—RO, whole-house, or MaxPack. After 31 years of serving Southern California, we can say with confidence that investing in the right water filtration system is one of the best choices you can make for your home, your health, and your family’s future.

Ready to find out what’s in your water? Contact Hague Quality Water today to schedule your NO Obligation in-home system consultation and discover the best filtration solution for your home.

Request an in-home system consultation

FAQ Section

How does water filtration work in simple terms?

Water filtration removes contaminants through physical barriers (trapping particles), chemical adsorption (carbon grabs chlorine), or membranes (RO blocks 99% impurities). Each stage targets different problems, from sediment to dissolved chemicals, for cleaner water everywhere in your home.

What’s the difference between water filter and water softener?

Filters remove particles/chemicals; softeners remove hardness minerals (calcium/magnesium) via ion exchange to prevent scale. Hague MaxPack combines both for Southern California’s hard, chlorinated water—filtration everywhere plus softening protection.

Does water filtration remove chlorine from LA tap water?

Yes, activated carbon filters in whole-house systems and RO effectively remove chlorine taste/odor from Los Angeles municipal water. Hague systems also tackle sediment and hardness for complete treatment at every faucet.

Do I need whole house filtration or just RO?

RO gives pure drinking water but only at one tap; whole-house filtration cleans all water for bathing, laundry, and appliances. For best results in Southern California, combine both like Hague MaxPack—schedule your free water test to see what fits.