Chemicals in water treatment?

A lot of water treatment systems require that chemicals are constantly being added to the treatment process to ensure optimal functionality of the machine, to deal with water impurities and finally to achieve clean drinking water. Why on earth would you want to drink water where you know that harmful chemicals have been used to prepare what you are drinking when there are much more ecological ways of producing drinking water?

What would you choose? Water treated with chemicals or naturally treated water:

 
For example a Reverse Osmosis machine will require various types of chemicals to maintain the membranes that the water passes through as impurities build up. The membranes begin to foul causing loss in the output quality and quantity, increases in rejection water levels (waste water) and reduces the overall performance of the system. So what is the solution to help maintain membranes? Chemicals...

Here are just a few examples of the chemicals that an R.O. machine would need to produce your clean water.

Dechlorination
Different formulations of chlorine to ensure clean water. Yes, chlorine which can also be used in swimming pools to keep the bacteria away. You will clearly know the distinct smell of this when you come into contact with chlorinated water.

Coagulants
Coagulants and flocculants can increase prefiltration efficiency and help improve productivity in membrane systems.

Antiscalants
Pretreatment designed to eliminate scale and reduce fouling in membrane systems, regardless of the feedwater source.

Cleaners
Different types of cleaning chemicals to ensure "optimal" performance of a R.O. unit.

Microbiological Control
Chemically induced control of bacterial growth and slime.

The Alternative - Chemical Free Solution

Yes - it is truly possible to provide drinking water without the need to use chemicals. You can read more about the Swiss Cleanwater Machines, and how they do not need chemicals here:
http://www.swiss-cleanwater-group.com/en/no-chemicals.html