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Reverse Osmosis Filter
Q How does the reverse osmosis filter work?
A. To learn more about how it works click here for "About Reverse Osmosis".
Q How do I know the AllPure reverse osmosis filter is taking out the total dissolved solids?
A. You will notice there is no chlorine smell in the water, it tastes better and is cleaner. The TDS can be measured by a small portable TDS meter that costs about $38. For example, the TDS of the city water may run about 220 ppm and the water from the clean RO water tap will be 20 or less.
Q. I have a water softener. Won't that give me clean water, free of contaminants?
A. Water “softeners” take hardness minerals out of the water by an ion exchange process which exchanges salt ions with calcium and magnesium ions. This is done to remove the calcium and magnesium minerals which cause a hard crusty scale and scum on the bathtub. The softener does not take out any of the other impurities or improve the taste and odor of the water.
Q. I thought the city water treatment plant took out the impurities in the water. I get these yearly reports. Isn't that all I need?
A. The city water treatment plant takes out most of the dirt and trash that comes from the water in the storage reservoirs. It is then treated with chlorine to kill any disease causing bacteria. They do not attempt to remove the dissolved solids, some of which are from natural minerals such as Arsenic or Fluoride. Other dissolved minerals are from industrial, agricultural or municipal pollutants such as Lead, Chromium, perchlorates, Nitrate, Nitrites, pesticides and more that can be harmful. Some of these contaminants have risen above safe levels. An example of this is Nitrates and Nitrites in farming areas, or perchlorates in rocket making areas. Old trash dumps covered over in the last hundred years are producing undesirable materials which leach into the water supplies and will continue to do so for another 200-years even if all the pollution stopped now.
Q. Does the AllPure RO Filter have to be installed under the sink?
A. It is designed to fit easily under most kitchen sinks. It can also be installed in the basement or the garage, if not more than 30-feet away.
Q. I heard that the reverse osmosis filters waste a lot of water. Is that right?
A. No. You use 2 to 3 gallons per day of clean RO water. This makes 8 to 12 gallons of waste water. The system automatically shuts off when no water is used.
Q. Why don't you make a reverse osmosis water filter to purify all the water in my house?
A. We don't recommend it for two reasons:
1. This means you will be discarding a lot of reject water, about 500-gallons per day for a house that uses 250 GPD, compared to the 12 gallons discarded from the AllPure undersink system.
2. It isn't necessary to purify the water of dissolved solids for flushing the toilet, cleaning the house, or washing clothes.
3. However, we do supply 500-2000 gal/day whole house systems for owners who have their own wells.
Q. Can I install the AllPure RO System myself?
A. Yes. The AllPure RO Filter is pre-assembled with all the parts necessary for installation included, including separate faucet, tubing and shut off valve. A comprehensive installation manual is included. There are many local plumbers who have experience in installing RO systems.
Q. How does the water made with the AllPure Reverse Osmosis Filter compare to bottled water?
A. Most bottled water in the U.S. is processed through industrial size reverse osmosis purification. It is not any better or worse than from the AllPure system, although some bottlers add additives to their water for a taste effect. You save yourself the effort of carrying the bottled water home from the store, recycling the plastic bottles as well as saving the atmosphere from the pollution of trucks that carry the bottled water from the production plant to the store.
Q. What is the proper water pressure to make the AllPure RO Filter work?
A. The AllPure Filter System is designed to work with municipal water which in the U.S. averages 65 psig. Pressures of 60 to 75 psig are the normal variation in city pressure. A pressure of 40-psig or below is insufficient, but may be increased by a small booster pump. The AllPure model AP-4/P is designed to work with low pressure water, such as from home well systems.
Q. Should I put an RO filter system in my bathroom?
A. Normally, for brushing teeth and for occasional drinks of water, a filter which takes out the smell and taste of chlorine is sufficient, and will make the water appealing to you. A countertop filter such as the AllPure Countertop described in this website is recommended. This uses a combination charcoal filter with KDF, a special metal added to the carbon to improve filter life and reduction of chlorine. If you drink a lot of water from your bathroom tap, or it is used by a sick or challenged person, the AllPure RO Filter should be installed.
Q. What does Gold Seal Certification mean? Is it necessary? Is this different than NSF logos?
A. The Distinctive Gold Seal emblem is provided by the Water Quality Association, which is the water industry group, after testing to ANSI/NSF-58 specifications. This is the same as for NSF approval.
These tests do several things to assure the filter product is acceptable and safe for potable water use:
1. Tests are made to see if materials from the filters, housings and tank have leached into the water-in short contaminating the water while it is being filtered.
2. Test are made to withstand 150-pound pressure and 100,000 pressure cycles.
3. Then tests are made to see how much of the TDS (total dissolved solids) are removed.
4. Specific contaminants such as lead, nitrates and others are tested for individually requested by the manufacturer for specific claims.
The value of these tests and certification is that it provides assurance to you that the product meets standards. AllPure has both the Gold Seal Certification to ANSI/NSF-58 and California certification.
Q. Where can I get filter replacements elements for the reverse osmosis system?
A. You will see on the product ordering page that filter replacement kits are offered. These kits have replacement elements selected to maintain the Gold Seal certification. It is recommended that you purchase your replacement kits when you purchase your AllPure RO System.
Q. Suppose I run into installation problems. Who will help me?
A. You should read the instruction manual thoroughly. There are a lot of answers there. It is best to call an experienced plumber after exhausting your own efforts.
Q. Suppose something is missing in the box, or was broken in shipment. How do I take care of that?
A. You may send us an e-mail at info@allpurewater.com. Be specific and we can address the matter by return e-mail.
Q. What is the warranty? What does it cover?
A. The warranty for the AllPure Reverse Osmosis Filter System and the AllPure WaterGard™ is two years from date of purchase. This covers the replacement of any part found to be defective, but does not cover any labor for installation. Nor does it cover any cost for collateral damage from water leaks or spoilage.
MOST PROBLEMS AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS ARE COVERED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL
All of the other AllPure products on this website are warranted for one year on the same basis as above.
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WaterGard™
Q. Does the WaterGard make “soft” water?
A. No, not like “water softeners” do. The WaterGard does not put any salt in the water like softeners do, but it takes no minerals out of the water. WaterGard does not touch or intrude into the water like the softener equipment does. It is an electronic water conditioner.
Q. What does the WaterGard do?
A. It alters the hardness minerals so that instead of hard, crusty “Calcite” or “Lime scale” the hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium carbonate) form into different crystalline form which is soft and easy to wipe off. The new crystals don’t attach to the water pipe walls and old scale will be removed as well.
WaterGard keeps scale from forming in the water heater, which will be more efficient and last longer. The crust that forms on the shower head or in the coffee pot will be soft and easy to remove.
Q. What is the maximum hardness that can be handled by the WaterGard?
A. WaterGard has been used effectively with water up to 120 grains hardness.
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