Aqua-Pure

The cure for troubled water

Public awareness and concern is growing regarding our drinking water quality. Common causes for this concern often relate to sediment dirt/rust discolouration, to bad taste/odours and even the potential of dissolved chemicals present in our drinking water .

The increased demands on municipal water resources and the need for disinfection of water supplies has led people to ask, "How can we ensure good water quality?"

We hope to answer this and many other questions. With over 80 years of filtration experience and with our large National Aqua-Pure reseller network we are pleased to assist you with further enquiries.

Types of water filters

There is a wide variety of choices for the people interested in improving their drinking water quality. Not only are there many methods of water treatment available, but also within filtration there are many brands and models available. We have provided an outline of methods of water filtration including sediment, carbon and reverse osmosis filters; each system can be judged on their own merits; Quality Water is available for your home, at the turn of your tap!

Sediment Filters
These cartridge filters are used to remove particles such as suspended solids, dirt, rust, etc. The removal rating of such filters is typically 5 micron (0.005mm) and this porous structure will clean up water using its vast graded density cellulose construction that ensures long life and high dirt holding capacity. The rigid nature of this cartridge, as distinct from conventional wound filters, ensures integrity under water hammer conditions and therefore no loose fibres are present to migrate into the filtered water. Depth type sediment filters such as the Aqua-Pure AP110 provide an economical method of removing particulate matter from your water. They are generally installed at the point of entry to the house or under the kitchen sink.

Carbon Filters
Activated carbon is a widely used method of drinking water treatment. The 'activation' of the carbon is achieved by high temperature steam which produces a very high surface area filter which adsorbs organic matter and chlorine. The effectiveness of carbon filters in water treatment relates directly to the type and amount of carbon used and the flow rate or 'contact time' of the water flowing through the filter. Under specific flow rates, carbon also effectively removes up to 99% of hazardous, industrial and agricultural organic chemicals such as Trihalomethane's, 2.4.D, Lindane, etc. Carbon filters should have a prefilter to prevent sediment loads reducing the effectiveness of the activated carbon. Carbon remains an effective economical method for general improvement of water quality. They are generally used at the point of use, either under the sink or as a benchtop model, or in well designed whole of house systems.

Reverse Osmosis (RO)
The most advanced and thorough method of water treatment commonly available is achieved by forcing water under pressure through a fine membrane. The RO membrane is so fine that virtually all that passes through the membrane is pure water molecules. Larger molecules such as sodium, chlorine, fluoride, etc are rejected by the mernbrane and directed to waste. All Aqua-Pure RO systems both benchtop and under the sink have sediment and carbon filters ensuring total treatment of your drinking water. Reverse Osmosis provides a cost effective, energy efficient system for providing top quality drinking water.

CONTAMINANT	PROBLEM	EFFECT OF CONTAMINANT	FILTER REDUCES
SEDIMENT	Sediment can damage plumbing and appliances over time. It includes rust particles that can cause brown, yellow or orange spots on clothing, fixtures, and toilets.	Unpleasant drinking experience with solids and discolouration of water. Damages and blocks internals of taps/shower roses and hot water cylinders.	Sand, silt, particulates and rust.
TASTE AND ODOUR	Chlorine is used by water treatment plants to kill harmful bacteria and organisms. It has a recognizable taste and odour that can be unpleasant.	Affecting the taste and odour of water. High levels are drying to skin, irritating skin conditions such as eczema. Can cause carcinogenic by-products when combined with certain contaminants common in most water sources.	Chlorine, offensive tastes and odours.
LEAD	Water is naturally a solvent and can leach lead and other heavy metals from brass taps and plumbing fittings. In houses built before 1986, lead was contained in the pipes and the solder used to connect pipes.	Health related developmental problems especially in infants and children.	Lead.
CYSTS	Encapsulated forms of single cell parasites that may be present in drinking water and resistant to normal chlorination.	Ingested, cysts can cause abdominal cramping and diarrhoea and in immune deficient people (children and elderly) can cause death.	Cryptosporidium, Giardia.
COMPOUNDS	Contaminants resulting from industrial discharge, pesticide runoff and gasoline leakage may add compounds into the ground water (such as VOCs: Benzene, Toxaphene and Dichlorobenzene).	Benzene can cause nervous system disorders, immune system depression, anemia, chromosome aberrations and cancer. Dichlorobenzene can cause damage to the nervous system, liver, kidneys and blood cells. Toxaphene can cause restlessness, hyperexcitability, tremors, spasms or convulsions, liver and kidney degeneration, possible immune system suppression and cancer.	VOC’s: Volatile Organic Compounds, such as Benzene, Toxaphene and Dichlorobenzene.

Aqua-Pure Housings	Aqua-Pure Cartridges
AP11S/AP11T In-line filter housings AP12S/AP12T In-line filter housings AP1610/AP2610 In-line chromed brass & stainless steel housing AP717 In-line icemaker filter dirt/rust, taste/odour	AP110 NORMAL dirt/rust load AP124 HEAVY dirt/rust load AP420 Scale inhibitor, dirt/rust AP117 Taste/odour, dirt/rust APS117 Taste/odour, dirt/rust, scale inhibitor
Aqua-Pure Systems for point of use (Kitchen) AP2200C	Dual undersink system using AP110, AP187 cartridges includes all fittings and touch

AQUA-PURE INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS

Dirt & Rust Applications For best results and maximum cartridge life, the Aqua-Pure dirt/rust filter should be located in the water supply.

After the water meter
In a location which excludes filtering the garden water supplies.
As close as possible to the points of use-kitchen, laundry, bathroom.

Notes

If water pipes are used to ground the electrical system, appliances orphone; be sure to install a jumper wire.
As with all plastic fittings, the useful life of the filter housing will be extended by many years when protected from direct sunlight.
For exposed and outdoor locations, the Aqua-Pure AP11S solid bowl filter housing is recommended for maximum housing life.
Extra heavy duty use for exposed and outdoor location. The Aqua-Pure AP1610 or AP2610 brass/stainless steel housing is highly recommended.

Taste and Odour Applications

For best results and maximum cartridge life, the taste/odour filter should be installed in the household pipework as close as possible to the point of water use for drinking and cooking water supplies.

The lower the volume of water passing through the taste/odour cartridge, the longer the cartridge life.

The slower the flow rate through the taste/odour cartridge, the more effective the removal of taste and odour from the water supply.

For further improvement in taste/odour cartridge life, we recommend installing a dirt/rust pre-filter before the taste/odour filter. By doing so, the life of the taste/odour cartridge will be extended approximately 4-6 times the life anticipated without a prefilter .

Aqua-Pure Water Filtration & Treatment Systems
Typical Home Installations

A. POINT OF ENTRY (Whole of House)

Whole of house system (AP212) includes cartridges
Dirt/rust cartridges (AP110, AP124) with filter housings (AP1610, AP2610, AP11S/T, AP12S)

B. HOT WATER SYSTEM SCALE INHIBITORS

Scale stopper filter housing (AP1610, AP11S)
Scale stopper/dirt/rust cartridge (AP420)
Dirt/rust, taste/odour & scale inhibitor cartridge (APS117)

C. ICEMAKER

Dirt/rust, taste/odour & scale inhibitor filter (AP717)

D. POINT OF USE (Kitchen)

Drinking water system (AP8000 c/w 8112 cartridge)
Twin drinking water system (AP2200C c/w AP110 & AP187 cartridges)
In-line housing (AP11S/T, AP1610 plus AP117)
Countertop water filter (APBT301, APBT301C)
Reverse Osmosis system (APRO13212)

E. POINT OF USE (Bathroom)

Drinking water system (AP8000 c/w 8112 cartridge)
In-line housing (AP11S/T plus AP117, AP200 c/w AP217 cartridge)

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT WATER FILTRATION

Q1.	HOW LONG WILL THE AQUA-PURE DIRT/RUST CARTRIDGE LAST?
A.	In an average domestic application, the life could be 6-12 months between cartridge changes. In some applications an AP110 "normal dirt load" cartridge can filter 22,000 to 45,000 litres of water.

Q2.	WHAT IF THE DIRT/RUST CARTRIDGE LIFE IS LESS THAN SIX MONTHS?
A.	If the AP110 cartridge life is less than six months, the dirt load in the water being filtered will be relatively heavy. Where the contamination load is very heavy, two filter housings in series may provide the required results, sparkling water. The first Aqua-Pure housing fitted with an AP124 "heavy dirt load" cartridge; the second with an AP110 "normal dirt load" cartridge.

Q3.	HOW LONG DOES THE AP117 TASTE AND ODOUR CARTRIDGE LAST?
A.	Without pre-filtration, the AP117 taste/odour cartridge will have a life about one third of the life of an AP110 dirt/rust cartridge in the same water supply, say 2 to 6 months. If an AP110 dirt/rust cartridge is used as a prefilter then the AP117 taste/odour cartridge will last up to twice the life of the AP110 prefilter cartridge. Say up to 6 months.

Q4.	CAN AQUA-PURE HOUSINGS BE INSTALLED WITH THE SUMP UP AND THE HEAD DOWN?
A.	Aqua-Pure filters will operate in any orientated position. However, with the sump upside down, drainage of the filter housing has to be considered when changing cartridges.

Q5.	CAN THE DIRT AND RUST CARTRIDGE BE CLEANED BY BACKFLUSHING OR ANY OTHER MEANS?
A.	YES! Washing large particles of contaminant off the outside surface of the cartridge or backflushing will extend the cartridge life, but eventually the cartridge will be blocked completed and will have to be thrown away. The Aqua-Pure cartridge is efficient because it acts as a depth filter media. Contamination trapped in the depth of the cartridge is difficult to remove by backflushing. Backflushing more than once is usually not effective. Once the full depth of the cartridge is blocked, the cartridge will have to be thrown away and replaced with a clean one.

Q6.	HOW DO I KNOW IF A FILTER WILL IMPROVE MY WATER SUPPLY?
A.	A simple test can determine if an Aqua-Pure filter will be effective on your water supply. Take a glass of water and allow it to stand overnight. If contamination settles to the bottom of the glass overnight, the Aqua-Pure filter will definitely remove such contamination from the water. If the contamination does not settle, a finer filter will be required and we suggest you contact your Aqua-Pure distributor for advice.

Q7.	HOW WILL I KNOW WHEN TO CHANGE THE DIRT AND RUST CARTRIDGE IN MY FILTER?
A.	The cartridge should be changed when the flow rate through the filter housing falls to an unacceptable level.

Q8.	WHAT ABOUT THE TASTE AND ODOUR CARTRIDGE -HOW OFTEN DOES IT NEED CHANGING?
A.	When the taste and odour in the water returns, the absorbent properties of the cartridge are fully utilised. The cartridge should be replaced. If the AP ll7 taste/odour cartridge is used without a pre-filter, there is a possibility that the cartridge will block with dirt/rust contamination and the flow rate will become unacceptable before the taste/odour absorption is fully utilised. In this situation, installation of an Aqua-Pure dirt/rust prefilter will extend the life of a taste/odour cartridge and will reduce the total cost of continuing filtration.

Q9.	I HAVE A VERY LARGE HOUSE WITH A NUMBER OF BATHROOMS AND TWO KITCHENS. CAN I PURCHASE AN AQUA-PURE FILTER TO HANDLE SUCH A LARGE USAGE OF WATER?
A.	YES! In the complete range of Aqua-Pure filters, filter units with 2 or more cartridges fitted, can be sized for higher than normal flow rate applications. Filter units for motels and industrial applications are also available. Please contact your Aqua-Pure distributor for advice.

Q10.	I NEED HELP !
A.	Please phone your Aqua-Pure distributor or local Cuno Pacific office for further assistance. Or click here to visit our customer service page.