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Water filter test: No chlorine, no iron, no salts!

Water filters

The main purpose of the test was to find out whether the claimed quality of drinking water aftertreatment corresponds to the actual. The test also assessed the overall ergonomics of the jug itself and the filter module.

It was not our main task to compare the tested samples with each other, but it is unavoidable to a certain extent.

Each consumer has the opportunity to select for comparison exactly those parameters and consumer properties of the test participants, which are most important for them personally.

Laboratory test execution: DC ZAO “Central Testing Center for Drinking Water”.

Consultant: Yu. GONCHAR, Director General of Closed Joint Stock Company “The Main Testing Center of Drinking Water”.

Experts: specialists of CJSC “METTEM-Technology” filters “BARBER” , “Akvatoria” Ltd filters “Geyser” , the American representative of “Brita” company and “Aquaphor” company.

Test participants

In our test we used jug-type filters for purification of drinking water of commercial brands:

Brita – model Elemaris XL, filter cartridge MAXTRA, the resource is not more than 150 liters

“Geyser” – model “Aquarius”, filter cartridge-module 502 for hard water, a resource of no more than 400 liters

“Barrier” – Grand Neo, filter cartridge “Barrier Standard”, the resource is not more than 350 liters

“Aquaphor – model “Prestige”, filtering cartridge Aquaphor v100-5, resource not more than 300l.

Terms and concepts

Water – in our test was tap water of centralized drinking water supply of the city of New York. New York.

Purification – removing harmful impurities from water with the help of a filtering device. It should be distinguished from purification, which water passes in the system of municipal water supply.

Maximum allowable concentration MAC is a norm of allowable content of certain substances in water, which corresponds to SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01.

Model solution is a specially prepared solution simulating chemical contaminants, the content of which must be at least 2 MAC. In our test, the model solution has values slightly higher than 1 MAC for different substances – different exceedances, see. summary tables .

Heavy metals are hazardous to human health at excessive MPC. We use this, one of many existing definitions of this group of chemical elements. Such definition is used when heavy metals are discussed from the medical and environmental points of view and not only chemical and physical properties of the elements are taken into account but also their biological activity and toxicity.

What we tested during the test

Within the limits of a magazine publication it is not possible to check and throw light on absolutely all qualities and properties of filters, therefore we have stopped on the major parameters.

1. Pre-treatment for total iron.

Water filters

Total iron in water imparts unpleasant smell and taste and affects color and turbidity of water. Increased iron content in water can cause rust coloring of dishes and household appliances reservoirs of kettles, coffee pots, steam cookers, etc. . . Note also that the water in some regions for example, in parts of New York region is characterized by high iron content and should use specially designed and intended for this filter cartridges, available in the range of each manufacturer. The same applies to water coming from heavily worn water pipes: an excessive MPC of iron can also be determined by eye – by color and specific smell of rust.

This is important!

Iron in water is inorganic and is not absorbed like the organic iron in food for example, red meat, buckwheat, apples, pomegranates and pharmaceuticals. Contrary to popular belief, “iron from water” does not do the body any good, and it should be removed.

2. Cleaning the water from heavy metals.

A kind of indicator polluting component of the model solution for this test is copper: to purify water from cations of this heavy metal is particularly difficult, therefore, the laboratory specialists focus on it as a universal indicator of purification capability from other heavy metals as well. In other words, how effectively a filter removes copper cations tells us about its ability to “fight” other heavy metals.

This is important!

Heavy metals and their compounds can accumulate in tissues, becoming the cause of a number of diseases. Many of these trace elements are metabolically important and necessary in specific amounts including copper , but some do not participate in biological processes and are toxic. The most harmful for the body:

– Mercury – the most highly toxic element, the cause of serious poisonings

– Lead – is eliminated from the body very slowly. When it accumulates, liver and kidneys suffer, as well as bones

– Cadmium – when it accumulates in the body, the nervous system malfunctions, calcium-phosphorus exchange suffers, iron deficiency comes anemia , bones are destroyed.

Compounds of manganese, copper, cobalt, nickel, arsenic and other heavy metals in water are dangerous at excessive MPC.

3. Chlorine purification.

Drinking equipment

In tap water, the chlorine content is justified, because it is the most common and quite effective way to neutralize most harmful microorganisms. Chlorine compounds are volatile, so there are other ways to get rid of them: long boiling and sedimentation, but there is not always time for this, so filtration is preferable.

In addition to chlorine, water may also contain chlorine-containing compounds that are produced during water disinfection at water treatment plants. It is not possible to remove it from the water by boiling it and letting it stand for a long time. The most effective and rational way to purify water from such pollutants is to use household pitcher-filters.

It’s important!

Consumer attitude to chlorine is strongly negative. First, its presence in water significantly deteriorates its organoleptic characteristics smell, taste . Secondly, chlorine is a strong oxidizing agent, and can cause formation of other, not less dangerous substances.

At the same time chlorine is absolutely necessary for our body: without it the production of some vital enzymes is impossible. Moreover, a human body weighing 70 kg takes about 95 g of chlorine! Chlorine is dangerous only at excessive MPC. According to experts, the chlorine content in the water depends on the season.

For example, in the spring, during the melting of snows, in order to effectively disinfect water, its percentage in the water is increased. You can also observe increased chlorine content in the morning, just when we drink tea or coffee and cook porridge for our children.

4. Pre-treatment of hardness salts.

Hard water is water with a high content of dissolved salts of alkaline earth metals, mainly calcium and magnesium. When heated, these salts crystallize and form scale on the elements of household appliances.

For hard water softening, as well as for iron removal, special cassettes are used for this purpose – all manufacturers also have them. In our test only one such cartridge took part – in “Aquarius” filter from “Geyser” trademark.

This is supposed to do a better job than the other, non-specialized cartridges. The more interesting it is to find out the results.

This is important!

The complete removal of calcium and magnesium salts from the water is unacceptable. Regular consumption of such water will inevitably have a negative impact on health, in particular, according to the World Health Organization, affects the heart muscle. Taking care of your kettles and steamers, do not overdo it, do not use a hard water cartridge unnecessarily. However, the constant use of water with high hardness can contribute to kidney disease – the accumulation of “sand” and “stones” in them. Washing with softened water is very healthy: it does not dry the skin, does not leave a “film” on it and allows detergents to foam better.

5. Organoleptic indicators: turbidity, color, odor

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Most of us filter water, not only to care about health, but also as lovers of delicious and fragrant tea and coffee. Chefs and good housewives know how different the taste of drinks made from filtered and unfiltered water is. But the transparency and absence of extraneous odors indicates, above all, the removal of the causes of these phenomena – pollutants from the water. Chlorine makes water bitter, iron makes it sour, hardness salts make it cloudy, and water makes it hard to brew tea.

What we did not test

The tests on the ability to clean water from petroleum products benzene and phenol , bacteria and viruses remained “out of the question”, since tap water is usually quite safe in this regard.

Filters also have not been tested for compliance with the life of the cassette that is, the ability to purify water over its entire life, in liters , the fouling of microorganisms in the filter parts during use, the performance – the rate of purification per unit time.

Test Methodology

All participants were numbered and sent to the laboratory, where water was poured through the cartridges. We passed 20 liters of water through each cartridge per day.

After passing the 50-liter milestone, the time came to measure parameters in the first control point there were three such points chosen in total: 50, 100 and 150 liters . For measurements at the control points, a model solution was prepared, which was passed through a filter, and the resulting filtrate was examined according to selected parameters. The testing methods meet the requirements of GOST R 51232-98 p.r. 3, 4 .

What was not done according to the state standard and why??

Tests were carried out on the basis of GOST P 51871-02 “Water treatment equipments. General requirements for efficiency and methods of its definition”. We emphasize the readers on the words “based on” rather than “in accordance with”, because for economic reasons we were forced to depart from some of the requirements. In particular, GOST requires constant pouring of the model solution – we poured it only in the test points.

This was done intentionally because we were only assuming a consumer test, not a filter certification test. Therefore, the conditions are close to normal, everyday life, when people use normal tap water. In addition, GOST specifies the need to test not one but two cassettes, and on the basis of the results obtained prescribes the calculation of arithmetic averages.

Our belief is that any device the consumer buys with their money should work well. Especially when it comes to the filter, the buyer himself to assess the work of which will not be able to.

And finally, the test points 50, 100, 150 l were chosen by us at our discretion and on the recommendation of laboratory specialists. It should be noted that the tested filters have different manufacturer’s stated service life.

For example, filters “Aquafor” model “Prestige”, “Barrier” model “Grand Neo” and “Geyser” model “Aquarius” provide, according to manufacturers, more purified water 300, 350 and 400 liters respectively compared to Brita model “Elemaris XL” 150 l .

Our test was conducted with a reference to the smallest stated service life of one of the manufacturers – 150 liters.

Lab test results

We will present this critical part separately for each participant with a detailed analysis, but here we give the overall results summarized in tables. Assessment of cleaning efficiency – according to GOST R 51871-02 p. 4 .

Results after the first check point 50 l

Nomenclature of indicators,

units of measure

Index value

MPC, according to SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01

Model solution

Brita

Geyser

Barrier

Aquaphor

Total iron, mg/dm3

0,48

0,25

0,18

0,22

0,005

0,3

Total hardness, °F

7,5

4,6

4,2

5,9

4,6

7,0

Copper, mg/dm3

1,02

0,048

0,027

0,044

0,005

1,0

Free residual chlorine, mg/dm3

0,83

0,16

0,22

0,11

0,03

0,3-0,5

Turbidity, EMF/dm3

2,8

1,3

0,9

1,2

0,4

2,6

Chromaticity, deg.

20

14

15

3

3

20

Odour, points

3

0

0

0

0

2

Results after the second test point 100 litres

Nomenclature of indicators,

units of measure

Value of parameter

MAC, by SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01

Model solution

Brita

Geyser

Barrier

Aquaphor

Total iron, mg/dm3

0,48

0,15

0,11

0,16

0,05

0,3

Total hardness, °Æ

7,5

3,8

3,7

5,5

4,3

7,0

Copper, mg/dm3

1,02

0,08

0,07

0,065

0,005

1,0

Free residual chlorine, mg/dm3

0,83

0,16

0,41

0,08

0,03

0,3-0,5

Turbidity, EMF/dm3

2,8

0,8

0,4

0,7

0,4

2,6

Chromaticity, deg.

20

10

9

3

5

20

Odour, points

3

0

1

0

0

2

Results after the third control point 150 l

Nomenclature indicators,

units

Index value

MPC, according to SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01

Model solution

Brita

Geyser

Barrier

Aquaphor

Total iron, mg/dm3

0,48

0,35

0,33

0,33

0,17

0,3

Total hardness, °F

7,5

5,9

6,3

6,5

6,1

7,0

Copper, mg/dm3

1,02

0,22

0,183

0,15

0,07

1,0

Free residual chlorine, mg/dm3

0,83

0,36

0,46

0,24

0,18

0,3-0,5

Turbidity, EMF/dm3

2,8

1,2

0,8

0,7

0,4

2,6

Color, deg.

20

16

13

12

9

20

Smell, points

3

1

1

1

0

2

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John Techno

Greetings, everyone! I am John Techno, and my expedition in the realm of household appliances has been a thrilling adventure spanning over 30 years. What began as a curiosity about the mechanics of these everyday marvels transformed into a fulfilling career journey.

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Comments: 7
  1. Tatum

    Is this water filter able to remove other common impurities such as bacteria, pesticides, and heavy metals as well?

    Reply
    1. Aspen

      Yes, this water filter is designed to remove a variety of common impurities such as bacteria, pesticides, and heavy metals. The specific capabilities will vary depending on the type and brand of water filter being used. It is important to check the product specifications or reach out to the manufacturer to confirm if the water filter can effectively remove these impurities.

      Reply
  2. Waverly

    This water filter test seems impressive, but what about other impurities like bacteria or heavy metals? Is this filter capable of removing those as well?

    Reply
  3. Marigold

    Can you clarify if this water filter test is referring to the absence of chlorine, iron, and salts, or is it testing for their presence?

    Reply
    1. Hadley

      This water filter test is likely testing for the presence of chlorine, iron, and salts in the water. By measuring the levels of these substances, the filter can determine its effectiveness in removing them from the water. It is crucial for a water filter to effectively remove harmful substances like chlorine, iron, and salts to provide clean and safe drinking water.

      Reply
  4. Skylar

    What potential contaminants does the water filter test address, and how does its effectiveness compare to other filters on the market?

    Reply
  5. Joseph Wright

    What are some other important parameters or impurities that this water filter effectively eliminates?

    Reply
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