Water Filters

​Know your filters and what they do

​Filters come in various types and sizes and do different things.
​Bigger isn't always better especially when it comes to water filters!

 

​No single filter will take care of all your water treatment needs. A filter is basically a screen that catches particles in water and still lets the water run through. Filters with smaller screen or micron sizes trap more debris, but the small size restricts water flow, and the filter clogs sooner and has to be changed more often. The amount of particulate matter caught in your system; roof, gutters, and tank also determines how often you need to change the filters. Filters can harbor bacterial growth, so it is important to maintain and change them regularly.

According to Patricia Macomber with the College of Tropical Agriculture at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, once a month is the standard for sediment filters, but that varies depending on the size of the filter and your system’s conditions. ​

Most filter holes are too large to keep microorganisms from passing through with the water, so you are not safe from pathogens just because you have a filter. You should understand exactly what you want your filter to do, then purchase one that does it.

​Water pressure can force larger particles through pore (hole) sizes that would normally be too small. As pressure builds behind a dirty filter, more particles will get pushed through the filter. Therefore, pore size and filter function are not absolute; as the filter ages, the material in it can stretch, wear down, or tear. This is another reason to change filters on a regular basis.

We often hear the string and paper filters are considered 'forever' filters because they never fill up or influence water pressure.

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Sediment Filters

Sediment filter act by catching the larger particles of debris. You can buy filters of various micron sizes.
​Common ones range from 20 to 30 microns in micron diameter, although they come in smaller micron  sizes too.

​The smaller the holes, the less water pressure is available at the faucet.
Sediment filters are not designed to filter out chemicals or pathogens.

Sediment filters remove suspended matter such as sand, silt, loose scale, clay, or organic material from the water.
​Untreated water passes through a filter medium, which traps suspended matter on the surface or within the filter.
​There are three popular sediment filters: Paper Pleated, Yarn String, and Polypropylene.
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​                  Pleated Paper Filter                                                        Yarn Wound Filter                                               Polypropylene Filter

​Pleated Paper Filter  

​Pleated filters are a method for filtering dirt, sand, silt and sediment or as a pre-filter for a larger system. These type of sediment filters have an increased surface area. Most are 100% synthetic filter media and is cleanable, (not recommended). They come in five micron and up. 

 String Filter ​

Yarn Wound filter cartridge is a type of depth cartridge filter that is made by weaving yarn around a core. Microfibers are twisted and twined together to form a yarn. This yarn is woven in a honeycomb-shaped weave around the core such that it forms a gradient structure to allow filtration. Microorganisms have been know to pass through the yarn.  Comes in five micron and up. 

 Polypropylene Filter

High purity pleated polypropylene filter media provides a high area, 100% polypropylene element for removal of fine or coarse particulate from fluid streams. The media is encapsulated in an integral, continuous length, thermally-bonded structure for cleanliness, pressure tolerance, and chemical inertness. Removes dirt, sand, silt, rust and scale particles.

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Carbon Filters

There are many carbon options, but only one Carbon Block. Optimum size is 5 microns.  

Carbon filters can effectively remove or reduce many contaminants from water
​including VOCs, chlorine, lead, fluoride, pesticides and much more. They come in a variety of micron sizes. 

Granular Activated Carbon Block Filters

What is granular activated carbon? Granular activated carbon, or GAC, is made from organic materials (such as coconut shells or coal) that are high in carbon. Heat, in the absence of oxygen, is used to increase (activate) the surface area of the carbon; this is why these filters are sometimes referred to as “charcoal” filters. The activated carbon removes certain chemicals that are dissolved in water passing through a filter containing GAC by trapping (adsorbing) the chemical in the GAC.

​A filter with granular activated carbon (GAC) is a proven option to remove certain chemicals, particularly organic chemicals, from water.  GAC filters also can be used to remove chemicals that give objectionable odors or tastes to water such as hydrogen sulfide (rotten eggs odor) or chlorine, insecticides, Benzene and other organic chemicals. 

​The polypropylene 20 micron filter is the sediment filter Uncle Tilo recommends with the Clean Water Filter Pack, once the filter is full the water pressure will go down drawing your attention to change it.  Keeping the roof, gutters and tank fairly clean and treated it is recommended to change every 3 months.

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The 5 Micron 100% Coconut Shell Carbon filter is the carbon filter Uncle Tilo recommends with the Clean Water Filter Pack, together with ​the polypropylene filter.  Again keeping the roof, gutters and tank fairly clean and treated it is recommended to change every 6 months.

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​The Clean Water Filter Pack with Quantum Disinfection lends itself ​as a whole-house filter system
treating all water traveling to any faucet or fixture in the home. It removes the chemicals and pathogens
before it can be swallowed, breathed in, or absorbed by the skin during any use. 
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Regardless if you have a UV system or Quantum Disinfection, both units require appropriate filters for them to function properly.