Modern filter cartridges are effective and less complex than those in the past.

Some come with three to five chambers of filtration on one filter system.

For instance, in a multi-stage water filter cartridge, several filter cartridges are in each canister.

These water filters will eliminate a specific kind of contaminant from water.

This leads to pure drinking water.

These water filter cartridges can eliminate bacteria, particles, sediments, chemicals, etc.

Here are some water filter cartridges you can find in the market:

1. String Wound Water Filter Cartridge
2. Spun Water Filter Cartridge
3. Ultraviolet Water Filter Cartridges
4. Carbon Water Filter Cartridge
5. Sediment Water Filter Cartridge
6. High-Temperature Water Filter Cartridge
7. PP Water Filter Cartridge
8. Melt Blown Water Filter Cartridge
9. Membrane Water Filter Cartridge
10. Stainless Steel Water Filter Cartridge
11. Pleated Water Filter Cartridge
12. Alkaline Ionizer Water Filter Cartridge
13. Ceramic Water Filter Cartridge
14. Reverse Osmosis Membrane Water Filter Cartridge

Here is a list of some micron sizes of substances:

• Viruses: 0.01 to 1 microns.
• Bacteria: 0.5 to 50 microns.
• Pollen: 10 to 90 microns.
• Asbestos: 0.08 to 0.8 microns.
• Silica sand: 100 to 200 microns.
• Yeast: 2 to 15 microns.

An absolute filter contains pore sizes that are exact to its micron rating.

Nominal filters contain pores that are an approximation to their micron rating.

For instance, a nominal 30-micron filter can allow a small fraction of debris than a 30-micron size to pass through.

Absolute filters have an efficiency of over 95% thus they will not permit particles with their micron rating to pass through.

For an accurate filtration process, it is suitable to acquire an absolute filter and not a nominal filter.

Nominal filters are the most common but you can find absolute filters.

When using micron filters, a pressure drop dictates the time one should change the filter.

The pressure drop is the difference between the incoming pressure versus the outgoing pressure.

Water will experience resistance as it tries to pass through a water filter.

An increase in pressure drop means more debris is within the filter.

This means the water filter cartridge is at maximum capacity.

One can classify the micron size as follows depending on their effectiveness:

• Class 1: 0.5 to < 1 micron
• Class 2: 1 to <5 microns
• Class 3: 5 to <15 microns
• Class 4: 15 to <30 microns
• Class 5: 30 to <50 microns
• Class 6: >50 microns

Filtration methods come with a set of limitations.

This means one can combine individual water filter cartridges to get the best level of purification.

For example, one can employ mechanical, absorption, and ion-exchange combinations.

Here is how these two compare:

Surface and Depth Filtration

Surface Water Filter Cartridge

A surface water filter cartridge will filter out contaminants at the surface of the filter.

It can have sheets of nylon, Teflon, polypropylene, etc.

These sheets have pleats to provide a large surface area for filtration.

The contaminants here will stick on the surface which will also assist with the filtration process.

One can wash and reuse this filter cartridge.

Depth Water Filter Cartridge

This can be a wound string, spun cartridges, or melt-blown cartridges.

They will remove large sediments on its surface and small sediments within the cartridge itself.

Besides, they are suitable when you are filtering water that has varying particle sizes.

Also, they eliminate and hold a lot of particles than the surface water filter cartridge without a loss in pressure.

Several materials make up this filter and it depends on the type of filter.

They include:

• Carbon
• UV light bulb
• Stainless steel
• Polypropylene
• Ion exchange resins

This is the process of forcing water in the wrong direction through the water filter.

The purpose of this technique is to remove clogs like dirt and sediments that block the filter.

It is common for places that treat large quantities of water for general purposes.

However, it is not suitable for drinking water.

This is a process that allows reverse osmosis units to continually self-clean.

When water is passing via the membrane, some go downstream.

This will sweep off the contaminants from the membrane into the drain.

It is suitable for preventing contaminants from blocking the membranes.

• Water Filter Pitcher
• Faucet Water Filter
• Showerhead Water Filter
• Countertop Water Filters
• Under Sink Water Filters
• Whole House Water Filters
• Water Bottle Filters
• Straw Filters
• Water Softeners
• Gravity Water Filters
• Portable Pump Water Filters

Here are some considerations that may help:

Filtration Rate

Some filter cartridges can filter only a small amount of water per unit of time.

Others can filter large amounts of water daily.

Daily water consumption should not exceed the daily filtration rate.

Ensure the filter you choose will handle the amount of water available.

Quality of Water

Make sure the water filter cartridge not only removes contaminants but also improves water quality.

This includes foul smell, bad taste, and incorrect pH.

It should also preserve minerals in the water.

Budget

The amount you have will impact the water filter cartridge you can afford.

Quality Standards

Ensure you select a water filter cartridge that conforms to international standards.

Micron Rating

Make sure the water filter cartridge you select will meet your filtration needs.

A small micron rating will result in the purest water.

Also, take note that there are absolute and nominal micron ratings.

Installation

Some water filter cartridges require professionals to install.

This will cost you some extra money.

Space

There are filter cartridges that require large spaces for installation.

Ensure you have enough space for installation, maintenance, and operation.

Maintenance Cost

Ensure the water filter cartridge is easy and affordable to repair and replace.

Operating Cost

Make sure after installation, the filter does not need extra accessories to function.

Configuration

Ensure the water filter cartridge is the right size for your application and installation.

These filters come with some limitations.

This means they can remove some sediments and leave others.

The best way to ensure pure water is to combine them.

This ensures you remove large sediments and microorganisms.

Several but not all filters will eliminate parasites.

Here are some indications on the label that show it can remove parasites:

• Reverse osmosis
• An absolute pore size of 1 micron or small.
• Conformity to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for cyst removal or reduction.

Some indications on the label  that it will not remove parasites include:

• A nominal pore size of 1 micron.
• Carbon filter
• EPA approval and registration
• Water softener
• Chlorinated
• Ultraviolet light
• Pentiodide resins
• Activated carbon
• Water purifier

The durability of the filter depends on the level of contaminants you are dealing with.

For areas that have lots of contaminants, the filter will not last for that long.

On the other hand, in areas that have tap water, it may last for approximately 1 year.

Distilled water will taste flat since it has no minerals or nutrients.

Filtered water is easy to acquire and needs minimal machinery.

Distilled water takes time and expensive equipment to achieve.

Filtered water retains oxygen from the source liquid.

Distilled water contains no fluoride thus can cause tooth decay and cause electrolyte imbalance since it lacks electrolytes.

Also, distilled water can negatively alter the pH of the body.

Having a reliable water filter cartridge is vital.
This is because it protects you and others from harmful contaminants.
When you do not replace them, they will not function properly.
The filters will clog thus making water not pass via the system.
This will affect the water pressure in the pipes.
Also, it will host contaminants like bacteria, mold, etc, which are harmful to your health.
This is because it will continue working efficiently by eliminating contaminants.

There are times when you detect a foul smell or taste in water.

Besides, a slimy residue may accumulate on the filter and this is not easily noticeable.

A visual check-up, on clear containers, to see if there is any dirt can assist in making this decision.

Also, there could be a decrease in water pressure due to clogs in the filter.

If you notice any of these changes, it may be time to replace the water filter cartridge.

The manufacturer will also indicate the time that is suitable to do a replacement.

Also, the amount of water it filters can indicate if it is time for a replacement.

Here is a useful guide on filter replacement you can learn from.

One can determine the effectiveness of the filter by testing the water before and after filtration.

This is known as a performance test, and you can do it in two ways:

Conducting a Full Performance Test

In this method, you do two tests.

One before filtration and the other after filtration.

A full performance test will evaluate how effective the filter is by comparing the contaminants before and after filtration.

Conducting Post-Treatment Test

In this test, you will analyze the water after the filtration process.

It determines if the water is safe to drink after filtration.

Also, you will check the levels of contaminants in the drinking water.

Besides, it is cheap to conduct as you only need one test.

A full performance test is the most effective to determine the effectiveness of the filter.

Manufacturers of water filter cartridges may exaggerate their systems.

This may mean that the lifespan, filtration rate, and effectiveness do not match up.

Some manufacturers indicate that their filters offer a 99% reduction of lead or a 95% elimination of chlorine.

These numbers may be incorrect.

The Water Quality Association [WQA] and NSF International assist with certifying these devices.

They will test these cartridges and their components.

After approval, they place their logos on these water filter cartridges to ascertain their quality.

NSF International will certify that a water filter cartridge will eliminate certain contaminants.

When NSF certifies a water filter cartridge, it means that:

• It has a solid structure
• The material construction is durable.
• Also, it contains plastics and parts that will not leak into the water I.e. BPA.
• Besides, the test results are 100% accurate.
• The labels are 100% correct.

NSF certificates may approve some parts or the contaminants that it can minimize.

Some NSF certifications available include:

NSF Standard 53

This ensures the water filter cartridge will reduce specific toxic elements.

These contaminants are:

1. Lead
2. Giardia
3. Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE)
4. Cryptosporidium
5. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

The safety standards include structural principles, reduction of contaminants, and safe materials.

NSF Standard P473: PFOA/PFOS

This certifies the reduction of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate.

NSF Standard  58

This also is a safety standard relating to lead and other contaminants.

It looks at water filter cartridges that use membranes such as reverse osmosis [RO].

NSF Standard P231

This will certify the removal of contaminants such as bacteria and viruses.

NSF Standard  42

This standard certifies the ability of a water filter cartridge to eliminate chlorine.

NSF/ANSI 42, 53, and 401 describe the aesthetic effects of these systems.

This standard excludes harmful by-products of chlorine

It indicates that these filters can remove:

1. Chlorine
2. Particulates
3. Taste
4. Odor
5. Iron
6. Zinc
7. Manganese
8. Total dissolved solids [TDS]

NSF Standard  401

This is a new standard that highlights the ability of these filters to minimize up to 15 various contaminants.

Also, it applies to carbon and reverses osmosis water filters.

It combats unnatural chemicals such as:

1. BPA
2. Pharmaceuticals
3. Pesticides
4. Herbicides

They include:

Iron

This component makes up 5% of the crust of the earth and thus is available in water sources.

Symptoms of high iron levels in water are:

1. It will darken beverages.
2. Clothing material will discolor when you wash them.
3. Water will have a metallic taste.
4. There will be brown-red stains on dishes, laundry, etc.
5. The water will turn reddish or brownish when you draw it from the taps.

The most common forms of iron in water include bacterial iron, colloidal iron, redwater iron, clearwater iron, organic iron, etc.

Manganese

This element occurs with iron in the water.

They collect on the plumbing and show when you draw water.

It can cause clogs in pipes and fittings.

Manganese will oxidize more slowly than iron.

Symptoms of high levels of manganese include clogging of pipes, blackwater, black sediments, blackish turbidity, etc.

Calcium and Magnesium

These make water to be hard.

More levels of calcium and magnesium lead to a high degree of hardness.

Other contaminants (including Nitrates, E-coli, odium, tannins

These standards ensure the quality of water.

They include:

• Water Quality Association [WQA]
• NSF
• Current Good Manufacturing Practice [cGMP]
• Restriction of Hazardous Substance [RoHS]

I hope you found the information you’re looking for.

At Filson Filters, we design and manufacture a range of water filter cartridges.

Even the replacement filters for reputable brands will find them right here.

Contact us today for all your water filter cartridge needs.