MultiPure Water Filter & Multi-Pure Water Purifiers Information

Filter Capacity:

Filter capacity varies depending on the density and size of the filter. The characterization of activated carbons used by our system determines the capacity of the filter. Capacity ratings apply to the chemical adsorption capabilities of the carbon and specialized media. Carbons with a high surface area allow for long life and high adsorption capacity. Capacity ratings for Multipure Drinking Water Systems range from 400 gallons to 1,200 gallons, depending on model. Claims of capacity aren't applicable to contaminants reduced by mechanical filtration because of broad variations in the quality and quantity of physical matter in the drinking water.

The Multi-pure solid carbon block filter is engineered so that contaminants removed by mechanical filtration will cause the flow rate to decrease and the filter to clog, thus offering protection to the consumer from Giardia, Cryptosporidium and other contaminants with a specific physical size. This a big difference compared with granular activated multi-medium filters that have no replaceable cartrige. They make big claims about the quantity of water they can purify, but in reality those systems have a limited life of 1-3 years and then you have to throw the entire unit away. Multi-pure users on the other hand enjoy their filters in excess of 25 years. Now that's what I call a significant savings.

Applications for Solid carbon block filters:
Multi-pure solid carbon filters are used in point-of-use drinking water treatment devices designed for countertop, undersink and inline applications. Frequently used in homes, restaurants, offices, bathrooms, kitchens, refrigerators, ice machines, boats, B and B's and RV's.

Conclusion:
Solid carbon block filters effectively treat the age-old contaminants of yesteryear, such as lead, TCE, chlorine, benzene and "new" contaminants found in the nation's drinking water supplies today like MTBE, chloramines, arsenic and PCBs. They also likely will be proven capable of significantly reducing contaminants that may be found in drinking water supplies in the future such as antibiotics and other drugs.

The effectiveness of solid carbon block filters in treating a broad spectrum of contaminants of aesthetic as well as health concern makes it the technology of choice by consumers throughout the world.

Re-edited version of article published in Water Conditioning & Purification Magazine

Why Choose Our Super Solid Carbon Block System?

The market is flooded today with Drinking Water Systems offered by many companies large and small throughout the nation. With more than 500 companies selling water treatment products, it is easy to understand why consumers could have difficulty comparing one product to another. Most units improve only the water's taste and odor (aesthetics); the few units that do reduce contaminants of health concern vary greatly in the range of contaminants that they effectively reduce. Industry standards have been established and widely accepted, which make it much easier for the consumer to evaluate the many different systems available. This report will help you understand the standards and regulations which have been established nationally, and how consumers can compare water treatment devices currently on the market today. Multipure has been independently certified to remove more contaminants than any other filters on the market. The replacement cartridges are inexpensive and will always be available. I have been using my filter housing for over 15 years and I replace the filter once per year. I am confident that I will be able to use it for the rest of my life, even after the 25 year warranty expires. It works great and the water tastes great.

WHY THE NEED? WHAT ABOUT FEDERAL STANDARDS?

The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 established the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the agency responsible for setting standards for drinking water and monitoring the public water utilities. The EPA has established Federally enforceable standards for less than 100 contaminants that may be found in your drinking water. When one considers that there have been over 50,000 different chemicals produced since 1945 and that 21,000 pesticides are in use in the U.S. annually, the number of regulated contaminants is minute . The standards established by the EPA are expressed as the "Maximum Contaminant Level" or "MCL" which represents the maximum level at which the contaminant can be found in your drinking water and the water still be considered "safe". Needless to say, drinking water that is considered "safe" today may not be considered "safe" tomorrow when new standards may be established. And "safe" may not meet your personal standards for healthy drinking water. In addition, contaminants -- such as lead, trihalomethanes, and asbestos -- can occur in drinking water after the water leaves the water utility treatment plant EPA does not establish standards or testing protocol for drinking water treatment devices; the EPA refers consumers seeking assistance in evaluating water treatment devices to NSF International, a not-for-profit organization devoted to developing and administering programs related to public health. NSF's standards and criteria are used internationally for consumer products and services, including drinking water treatment units.

The World Health Organization (WHO) designated NSF a WHO Collaborative Center for drinking water safety and quality. Widely recognized by public health officials as a credible, third-party certifier, NSF International's standards provide assurance to the consumer that the drinking water treatment devices certified by NSF will perform in accordance with the claims made by the manufacturer or distributor. In addition, some states have established certification or registration requirements for drinking water treatment devices for which health claims are made. To date, the States of California, Colorado, Iowa, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin have established some form of regulation for the point-of-use water treatment industry. As additional standards emerge nationally, it will be even easier for the consumer to compare water treatment devices.

MORE REASONS TO CHOOSE OUR SOLID CARBON FILTERS:

The nationally recognized standards established for the drinking water treatment industry confirm that the most effective systems for the removal of AESTHETICS and HEALTH EFFECTS contaminants are those which utilize solid carbon block filtering technology.

Since 1970, Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems have been known to be the most effective point-of-use system in solving all types of drinking water problems. When comparing our Drinking Water Systems with other point-of-use home water treatment devices, it is helpful to determine which categories of water problems can be effectively solved by the devices being compared.

It is important for consumers to understand that there are major differences between those devices which can solve taste/odor problems (AESTHETICS) versus those which effectively remove contaminants being considered as established or potential health hazards. Consumers have been bombarded with deceptive manufacturer and sales claims making it more important than ever to refer to industry standards and state regulations which assure the effectiveness of the drinking water systems which have been certified or registered in reducing Aesthetic substances and/or Health Effect contaminants.

Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems have been tested since 1974, and NSF International's testing and certification further confirm the superior effectiveness of all our Models in reducing taste, odors, and chlorine; particulate matter down to sub micron range; turbidity; cysts; lead; mercury; chlordane; toxaphene; PCB; asbestos; 1,1-Dichloroethane; trihalomethanes; lindane; 2,4-D; and certain Volatile Organic Chemicals (41 chemicals and pesticide).

Today the Corporation who manufactures our water purification systems is an industry leader and the world's largest manufacturer of compressed solid carbon block filters. They specialize in Drinking Water Systems and subsequently can assure that you as customer will receive a consistent product that meets their quality requirements. But most importantly, the effectiveness of our Drinking Water Systems is also confirmed by more than three million satisfied users throughout the world who use their Drinking Water System to solve one or more of the problems identified above.

When making a decision to purchase a drinking water treatment device, one should select a system that not only can solve the known problems of today but also be a device that most likely will be effective in taking care of problems that may not be known today. When informed consumers compare our Drinking Water Systems with other units available on the market, they will confirm that our Systems are indeed the MOST EFFECTIVE Systems available on the home water treatment market today.

WHAT ARE THE INDUSTRY STANDARDS?

To provide a meaningful comparison, it is important that the consumer understand the standards which were developed by NSF International, and adopted by many states, for drinking water treatment devices. Two of the standards established by NSF which apply to drinking water treatment devices, are as follows:

• AESTHETIC EFFECTS (ANSI/NSF Standard No. 42) Claims for taste, odor, color and other aesthetic effects, including the reduction of chlorine and particulate matter. Several classes are used to define the level of chlorine reduction and particulate reduction. The classes are as follows: Taste, Odor and Chlorine Reduction Class I Reduces chlorine by 75% to 100% Class II Reduces chlorine by 50% to 74% Class III Reduces chlorine by 25% to 49% Particulate Reduction Class I 0.5 to 1 micrometer (sub micron) Class II 1 to 5 micrometers (extra-fine) Class III 5 to 15 micrometers (medium-fine) Class IV 15 to 30 micrometers (fine) Class V 30 to 50 micrometers (medium coarse) Class VI 50 micrometers and larger (coarse)

• HEALTH EFFECTS (NSF Standard No. 53) Claims for the reduction of specific contaminants from drinking water (public or private), such contaminants being considered as established or potential health hazards. Such hazardous contaminants may be microbiological, chemical, or particulate (including filterable cysts) in nature. It is recognized that a unit may be effective in controlling one or more of these contaminants, but it is not a requirement that it control all of these contaminants.

Used by over 3 million people across the globe, Multipure Drinking Water Systems are one of the most effective Drinking Water Treatment Systems available. They solve aesthetic problems in tap water as well as reduce contaminants of health concern. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions about our Solid Carbon Block technology.

1. Are MULTI-PURE Drinking Water Systems certified to reduce contaminants of health concern?
All of our models have been tested and listed under ANSI/NSF Standard No. 42 and Standard No. 53 by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL¨). Replacement filter models CB5 and CB6 are also tested and certified by UL.

2. What contaminants are your Water Systems certified by UL¨ to reduce? Our Multipure Drinking Water Systems have been tested and certified by NSF for the reduction of the following contaminants/substances (*99% is the maximum rate of reduction certified by NSF): Aesthetic Effects (ANSI/NSF Standard No. 42) - Chlorine by > 99% (Class I) - Particulate matter down to 0.5 micrometer, sub micron (Class I) Health Effects (ANSI/NSF Standard No. 53) - Turbidity - Lead - Mercury - PCB (Endocrine Disrupter) - Chlordane (Endocrine Disrupter) - Toxaphene (Endocrine Disrupter) - 1,1-Dichloroethane (Endocrine Disrupter) - Cysts - Trihalomethanes - Asbestos - Volatile Organic Chemicals - MTBE - Chloramines

3. Are MULTI-PURE Drinking Water Systems also certified or registered by the states of California, Iowa, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Colorado?
YES! Our Drinking Water Systems have been certified or registered by the states of California, Iowa, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Colorado (all the states that regulate drinking water systems).

4. Is there a warranty/guarantee? YES!
Our manufacturing Corporation demonstrates confidence in its Drinking Water Systems by providing a 30 day money-back guarantee*. In addition, the Drinking Water System housings are warranted for 25 years and system accessories are warranted for 12 months.

5. Can the Multipure Water System be used during an emergency, or when the water is turned off? Yes, you can hand pump or siphon water through our unit during an emergency situation. Complete instructions are available upon request.

6. Can Multipure Drinking Water Systems be connected to an automatic ice-maker?
Yes. Our Drinking Water System (Model MP750SB or Model MP1200EL) can be connected to any type of water dispenser or ice maker.

7. Does the system remove the natural, healthy trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium?
No, our Drinking Water Systems leave in the healthy, naturally occurring minerals.

8. Why are your Multipure water filters designed to take out contaminants like VOCs but not the natural minerals? Minerals are totally dissolved in solution and do not have an actual physical size; thus, the minerals pass through the filter unchanged. The materials used in our Drinking Water Systems are specially selected for their ability to react with the chemicals in the water but not with natural minerals. The ability to leave the natural, healthy minerals in while reducing harmful contaminants was a vital factor in the development of our solid carbon block filters. The medical community has always maintained that certain minerals were essential for a healthy body, and a recent study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that drinking water with high levels of beneficial, healthful minerals may reduce the risk of heart disease.

9. If the unit does not remove minerals, how does it take out lead?
The Multipure solid carbon block filter is devised whereby certain dissolved impurities, such as Lead and chemicals, are adsorbed to the carbon surface by chemical reaction and adsorption. Adsorption (as opposed to absorption) is defined as "the adhesion in a thin layer of molecules to the surface of solid bodies with which they are in contact" (Webster's Collegiate Dictionary). Thus the solid carbon block can be analogized to a magnet that metal shavings (Lead, in the analogy) adhere to.

10. If a filter can take out Chlorine, can it also take out Trihalomethanes (disinfection by-products)?
Our Multipure Drinking Water Systems have been tested and certified to reduce Chlorine and Trihalomethanes. However, not all filters certified to reduce Chlorine can reduce Trihalomethanes (although some disreputable companies would have you believe so!). Chlorine is a substance that is relatively easy to remove. But, chlorine that has interacted with organic material to form Trihalomethanes (thus having a completely different molecular structure) is extremely difficult to remove. Consumers must check with NSF International (or their state health department if that state certifies units) to see if the filter is certified for Trihalomethanes or VOC reduction. Multipure takes out the Trihalomethanes and the VOC's!

11. How often do the Multipure filters need to be changed?
Filter life will vary in direct proportion to the amount of water used and the type and level of impurities in the water being processed. It is recommended that the filter be replaced when the first of the following occurs: (a) the unit's rated capacity is reached; (b) annually; (c) the flow rate diminishes (which occurs when the filter becomes clogged with particulate matter); or (d) the filter becomes saturated with bad tastes and odors. The filters can not be back flushed or rinsed and used again. Even if your filter is still white and the flow rate is still high, according to EPA and state health department guidelines, filters should always be replaced at least once a year, regardless of capacity.

12. Can hot water be run through the filter?
The biggest problem with hot water is the sloughing off of chemicals/compounds which had been adsorbed. The heat causes the carbon pores to open up. which could result in lead or chemicals being released into the water. And, the carbon would not effectively reduce contaminants in the water. Hot water is usually under 212 degrees, and that isn't hot enough to alter the raw materials, so there wouldn't be any damage to the filter itself. If someone does run hot water through the filter, they should immediately run cold water through until the filter cools and then flush the filter for about 3 minutes. The filter then will again perform effectively. And, don't drink the hot water.

13. If I leave on vacation, do I have to disconnect my filter?
Do not allow water to sit in the unit for extended periods of time (10 or more days) without being used. If the unit is to be left unused for more than 10 days, drain all the water from the system and remove the filter. Upon your return reconnect the filter in the housing and continue use.

Importance of Raw Materials:

Activated carbon is the primary raw material used in solid carbon block filters. Our manufacturing Corporation determines the characterization of activated carbons to use for its filters. Carbons specified are especially effective in reducing inorganics such as lead and mercury as well as organic compounds - disinfection by-products (DBPs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PCBs, MTBE, etc. Many carbons are selected with a high surface area and high retentivity characteristics. Years of research, development and manufacturing experience have helped them develop specifications for carbon and other media that give its compacted carbon block filters distinctive performance advantages over other treatment alternatives.

Quality assurance procedures are carefully developed and maintained to assure that raw materials meet the highest standards. Technological Advantages as evidenced by independent laboratory testing and certification of solid carbon block filters, has helped to successfulydevelop the technology to produce filters that provide greater chemical adsorption and mechanical filtration. Materials are formed into a carbon block, which is densely compacted. Compression enhances the kinetics of the filter and provides performance that cannot be achieved with extruded or granular activated carbon (GAC) filters. Compacted solid carbon block filters have a large surface area for chemical/physical adsorption to take place. With a solid carbon block, the water contact time is longer and provides for greater adsorption of many different chemicals, pesticides, herbicides and certain heavy metals. A close review of product listings confirms that our Drinking Water Systems are among the few that have been certified to reduce PCBs -a difficult contaminant to treat.

Only a handful of products have been tested and certified to reduce a wide range of contaminants that are more difficult to treat. In addition, the densely compacted carbon block mechanically filters particles down to 0.5 micron, including Giardia and Cryptosporidium, asbestos, turbidity and particulates. The Multi-Pure filter design incorporates an outer prefiltration medium to remove large particles and prevent premature clogging of the filter. Our solid carbon block filters are exceptionally uniform and don't channel or allow bypass. DWTU Performance Certification Lead VOCs, Lead and VOCs, PCBs, MTBE Lead, VOCs, PCBs, MTBE. Number of Contaminant(s) Reduced Devices Listed 599 138 125 25 43 12 SOURCE: UL/NSF Listings, August 1, 2001