Water Filters used on building water supply systems, municipal water or well water
How do water filters cause building water pressure problems or pump short cycling problems?
Well pump & water tank diagnosis & repair procedures
Questions & answers about choosing and using all types of portable or installed water filters
This article describes different types water filters used for drinking water purification both as portable filters and where installed on building water supply systems, including both municipal water supplies and private well water systems. The filters described here are usually intended to improve aesthetic issues in home water supply such as removing debris particles, sediment or odors.
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Readers concerned with water purity or water potability should also see Filters for Drinking Water Purification for a discussion of portable and emergency water filters that are designed to purify drinking water, including portable ceramic water filters, silver ceramic filters, magnetic (bogus) water purifiers, paper and polypropylene water filters, etc. See WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES for details on other water treatment options besides filters.
See DRINKING WATER PURIFICATION for a discussion of various methods used to purify emergency drinking water. A companion article, DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY SOURCES,describes possible sources of drinking water that may be useful in emergency conditions. For explanation of the different types of water treatment systems used on buliding water supplies, see WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES.
Guide to Water Filters Used for Drinking Water Treatment
A clogged water filter can block water flow between a pump and water tank or between a water tank and
the rest of the building.
Try changing the water filter by installing a new cartridge; temporary diagnosis can be
made by simply removing a suspect water filter cartridge from its canister entirely.
We have also seen a clogged
water filter cause water pump short cycling, with a rapid "on-off" pump cycle (which is bad for the pump and
pump relay switch.) See WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING for details.
If this is your situation try first changing out the water filter for a clean one.
Technical note: the same clay, silt, or other debris that clogs a water filter
can clog up the pressure sensing opening in the bottom of a pump pressure control switch, as we discussed just above.
So if you are looking for a clogged filter, if changing
the water filter does not correct a problem with the water pump cycling operation, also consider a possibly-clogged pump pressure switch.
The sketch at left shows the basic parts and functions of a typical cartridge-type water filter.
Detailed descriptions of other water system parts and controls, valves, switches, pumps, piping, etc. are provided in the
various sections of this article and are listed just below.
Types of Drinking Water Filters
Cartridge Type Water Filters
Water is passed through a filter cartridge that is usually contained in a plastic or metal canister. Both portable and permanently-installed water filters are widely available and form the most common water filter system found in residential installations where sediment, odors, or chlorine residue are a concern.
Sediment water filters - remove dirt or debris. Very fine clay debris may pass through some sediment filters, requiring more sophisticated water treatment. A sediment filter or a granular or activated charcoal odor filter will improve the aesthetics of a water supply but it does not disinfect water contaminated with bacteria.
Iron removing water filters - are intended to reduce the level of iron in a water supply. Many sediment filters are also capable of removing iron from drinking water. Details are at FILTERS - SEDIMENT & IRON.
Odor water filters & charcoal water filters - typically constructed using activated charcoal, will remove odors, a limited amount of some chemicals, and may trap some bacteria but these are not water purifiers. Activated charcoal filters are a principal method used to remove general and specific organics from the drinking water supply.[1]
A typical residential water treatment system handling water that contains bacteria will combine a chlorinator with a charcoal filter. the chlorinator treats the bacterial contamination and the charcoal filter post-processes the water to remove objectionable levels of chlorine. See CHLORINATORS & CHARCOAL FILTERS and also see FILTERS - SULPHUR ODOR.
Bacteriostatic water filters - constructed using activated charcoal combined with silver that is released in ion form to help control bacterial growth in the filter
Ceramic water filters/purifiers - use a ceramic cartridge through which water is filtered. Ceramic filters can remove bacteria, sediment, and often odors and other contaminants.
Watch out: most conventional cartridge-type water "filters" are not water purifiers. Only a filter that is certified to remove adequate levels of bacterial contamination are permitted to be sold as water "purifiers". Typically a filter that functions as a water purifier will be a ceramic device. Ceramic water filter-purifiers are discussed in detail at CERAMIC FILTERS & Water Purification. We recommend that you review independent water filter performance or water purifier performance test reports before relying on a water filter/purifier for the production of safe drinking water.
Watch out: the functions performed by any cartridge type water filter depend on the material from which the cartridge is made. Be sure to read the properties of the filter cartridge you are buying and select a filter cartridge type that performs the functions required. For example a water filter designed to reduce sediment may work well for that purpose but may be ineffective at removing odors.
And a charcoal based water filter, good at removing odors, may become quickly clogged if it is used on a water supply high in sediment, or it may become contaminated if it is used on a water supply high in harmful bacteria. For these reasons you may find a cascade of types of water filters on some home water supply systems. Typically water will be treated to kill or remove bacteria, filtered for sediment, and finally, filtered for odors or taste.
Brands of Water Filters used for Drinking Water Treatment
Just below we provide the most comprehensive list of water filter and replacement water filter cartridge brands we have been able to find. CONTACT us to add to this list. These water filter products are available from building suppliers, plumbing suppliers, hardware stores, and on-line.
Purchases: With the exception of links to recommended books at Amazon.com who pays us a microscopic commission on book sales, we do not sell anything. Please do not call or write asking to buy something.
American Plumber Replacement Filters American Plumber Filters
AmeriFlow Replacement Filters AmeriFlow Water Filters
Ametek Replacement Filters Ametek Water Filters
Amtrol RO Tank Amtrol RO Tanks
Amway Replacement Filters Amway Water Filters
APEC Replacement Filters APEC Water Filters
AQA Total Replacement Filters AQA Total Filters
Aqua Cleer Good Water Machine Replacement Filters Aqua Cleer Water Filters
Aqua Flo Replacement Filters Aqua Flo Water Filters
Aqua Fresh Replacement Filters Aqua Fresh Water Filters
Aqua FX Replacement Filters Aqua FX Water Filters
Aqua Guard Replacement Filters Aqua Guard Water Filters
AquaSoft Replacement Filters Aqua Soft Water Filters
Aqua Sun International Replacement Filters Aqua Sun Int'l Filters
AquaSystems Replacement Filters Aqua Systems Water Filters
Aquacheck Replacement Filters Aquacheck Water Filters
Aquafine UltraViolet Sterilizer Systems Aquafine UV Sterilizers
Aquagenic Replacement Filters Aquagenics Water Filters
Aquamaster Replacement Filters Aquamaster Water Filters
Aqua Pure Replacement Filters AquaPure Water Filters
Aquasana Replacement Filters Aquasana Water Filters
AquaSky RO Tank AquaSky RO Tanks
Aquatec RO Pumps Aquatec Pumps
Aquathin Replacement Filters Aquathin Water Filters
AquaWizard Replacement Filters AquaWizard Water Filters
Aries Replacement Filters Aries Water Filters
Arrowhead Replacement Filters Arrowhead Water Filters
Atlantic Filters Atlantic Filters
Avantapure Replacement Filters Avantapure Water Filters
Avian Replacement Filters Avian Water Filters
Barnstead Replacement Filters Barnstead Lab Filters
BestWater by Shaklee Replacement Filters BestWater by Shaklee
BioMaster Replacement Filters BioMaster Water Filters
Bosch Replacement Filters Bosch Water Filters
Brita Replacement Filters Brita Water Filters
Bruner Replacement Filters Bruner Water Filters
Bunn Replacement Filters Bunn Water Filters
Calgon Carbon GAC Calgon Carbon
Campbell Replacement Filters Campbell Water Filters
Challenger Replacement Filters Challenger Water Filters
Clack Replacement Filters Clack Water Filters
Clean World Waters (CWW) Replacement Filters Clean World Waters Filters
Coleman Replacement Filters Coleman Water Filters
Coralife Replacement Filters Coralife Filters
Cornelius Replacement Filters Cornelius Water Filters
Everpure Costguard Replacement Filters Costguard by Everpure
Crane Environmental Replacement Filters Crane Environmental Filters
Crystal Quest Replacement Filters Crystal Quest Water Filters
Culligan Replacement Filters Culligan Water Filters
CUNO Replacement Filters CUNO Water Filters
CUNO Food Service Replacement Filters CUNO Food Service
CUNO Water Factory Systems CUNO Water Factory
Everpure Replacement Filters Everpure Water Filters
Filterite Replacement Filters Filterite Water Filters
Flotec Replacement Filters Flotec Water Filters
Frigidaire Replacement Filters Frigidaire Water Filters
Fulflo Replacement Filters Fulflo Water Filters
GE Replacement Filters GE Water Filters
Honeywell Replacement Filters Honeywell Water Filters
Hytrex Replacement Filters Hytrex Water Filters
Innova Replacement Filters Innova Water Filters
InstaPure Replacement Filters Instapure Water Filters
JennAir Replacement Filters Jenn-Air Water Filters
Katadyn Replacement Filters Katadyn Water Filters
Kenmore Replacement Filters Kenmore Water Filters
Keystone Replacement Filters Keystone Water Filters
KitchenAid Replacement Filters KitchenAid Water Filters
KleenPlus Replacement Filters KleenPlus Water Filters
KX Matrix Replacement Filters KX Matrikx Water Filters
LG Replacement Filters LG Water Filters
Master Plumber Replacement Filters MasterPlumber Filters
Maytag Replacement Filters Maytag Water Filters
Omni Replacement Filters Omni Water Filters
Omnipure Replacement Filters Omnipure Water Filters
Parker Hannifin Replacement Filters Parker Hannifin Filters
Pentek Replacement Filters Pentek Water Filters
Plymouth Products Replacement Filters Plymouth Products Filters
Pollenex Replacement Filters Pollenex Water Filters
PUR Replacement Filters PUR Water Filters
Samsung Replacement Filters Samsung Water Filters
Sears Replacement Filters Sears Water Filters
Sta-Rite Replacement Filters Sta-Rite Water Filters
Teledyne Replacement Filters Teledyne Water Filters
Town and Country Replacement Filters Town and Country Filters
True Value Replacement Filters TrueValue Water Filters
US Filter Replacement Filters US Filter Water Filters
Waterpik Replacement Filters Waterpik Water Filters
Waterway Replacement Filters Waterway Water Filters
Whirlpool Replacement Filters Whirlpool Water Filters
Questions & Answers regarding this article
Questions & answers about choosing and using all types of portable or installed water filters
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[1] Preliminary Assessment of Suspected Carcinogens in Drinking Water, Interim Report to Congress, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1975, web search 10/06/2011, original source: U.S. EPA http://nepis.epa.gov
Plumbing Diagnosis & Repair: Water supply, drainage, septic systems, water testing, water contamination, defective plumbing materials & products.
Water Supply & Drain Piping, Wells, Pumps, Water Supply Equipment
Access Water Energy, PO Box 2061, Moorabbin, VIC 3189, Australia, Tel: 1300 797 758, email: sales@accesswater.com.au Moorabbin Office: Kingston Trade Centre, 100 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, VIC 3189
Australian supplier of: Greywater systems, Solar power to grid packages, Edwards solar systems, Vulcan compact solar systems, water & solar system pumps & controls, and a wide rage of above ground & under ground water storage tanks: concrete, steel, plastic, modular, and bladder storage tanks.
Cheating on water tests: Testing Water for Real Estate Transactions - make sure your water test is valid
Smart Tank, Installation Instructions [ copy on file as /water/Smart_Tank_Flexcon.pdf ] - , Flexcon Industries, 300 Pond St., Randolph MA 02368, www.flexconind.com, Tel: 800-527-0030 - web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.flexconind.com/pdf/st_install.pdf
Typical Shallow Well One Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect_Jet_Pumps_1.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
Typical Deep Well Two Line Jet Pump Installation [ copy on file as /water/Jet_Pump_Grove_Elect.pdf ] - , Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
Water Fact Sheet #3, Using Low-Yielding Wells [ copy on file as /water/Low_Yield_Wells_Penn_State.pdf ] - , Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension, School of Forest Resources, web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/XH0002.pdf
Water pressure tanks - how to diagnose the need for air, how to add air, stop water pump short cycling to avoid damage - water storage water pressure tank safety.
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop, and from the InspectAPedia bookstore. The 2010 edition of the Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
Crystal Clear Supply provides portable ceramic water filter purifiers and portable reverse osmosis water treatment equipment - see http://www.crystalclearsupply.com/category_s/7.htm
Handbook of Disinfectants and Antiseptics, Joseph M. Ascenzi (Editor), CRC, 1995, ISBN-10: 0824795245 ISBN-13: 978-0824795245 "The evaluation of chemical germicides predates the golden age of microbiology..." -
This well-focused, up-to-date reference details the current medical uses of antiseptics and disinfectants -- particularly in the control of hospital-acquired infections -- presenting methods for evaluating products to obtain regulatory approval and examining chemical, physical, and microbiological properties as well as the toxicology of the most widely used commercial chemicals.
Potable Aqua® emergency drinking water germicidal tablets are produced by the Wisconsin Pharmacal Co., Jackson WI 53037. 800-558-6614 pharmacalway.com
Principles and Practice of Disinfection, Preservation and Sterilization (Hardcover)
by A. D. Russell (Editor), W. B. Hugo (Editor), G. A. J. Ayliffe (Editor), Blackwell Science, 2004. ISBN-10: 1405101997, ISBN-13: 978-1405101998.
"This superb book is the best of its kind available and one that will undoubtedly be useful, if not essential, to workers in a variety of industries. Thirty-one distinguished specialists deal comprehensively with the subject matter indicated by the title ... The book is produced with care, is very readable with useful selected references at the end of each chapter and an excellent index. It is an essential source book for everyone interested in this field. For pharmacy undergraduates, it will complement the excellent text on pharmaceutical microbiology by two of the present editors."
The Pharmaceutical Journal: "This is an excellent book. It deals comprehensively and authoritatively with its subject with contributions from 31 distinguished specialists. There is a great deal to interest all those involved in hospital infection ... This book is exceptionally well laid out. There are well chosen references for each chapter and an excellent index. It is highly recommended." The Journal of Hospital Infection.: "The editors and authors must be congratulated for this excellent treatise on nonantibiotic antimicrobial measures in hospitals and industry ... The publication is highly recommended to hospital and research personnel, especially to clinical microbiologists, infection-control and environmental-safety specialists, pharmacists, and dieticians."
New England Journal of Medicine: City Hospital, Birmingham, UK. Covers the many methods of the elimination or prevention of microbial growth. Provides an historical overview, descriptions of the types of antimicrobial agents, factors affecting efficacy, evaluation methods, and types of resistance. Features sterilization methods, and more. Previous edition: c1999. DNLM: Sterilization--methods.
U.S. Army Field Manual 21-10, Field Hygiene and Sanitation, 1988, web search 07/02/2010, original source: http://www.enlisted.info/field-manuals/fm-21-10-field-hygiene-and-sanitation.shtml The purpose of this manual is to assist individual soldiers, unit commanders, leaders and field sanitation teams in preventing disease and environmental injuries. The manual provides information on preventive medicine measures (PMM) to the individual soldier as well as essential information for the unit commander, unit leaders, and the unit field sanitation team on applying unit level PMM.
When Technology Fails, Matthew Stein, Chelsea Green Publisher, 2008,493 pages. ISBN-10: 1933392452 ISBN-13: 978-1933392455, "... how to find and sterilize water in the face of utility failure, as well as practical information for dealing with water-quality issues even when the public tap water is still flowing". Mr. Stein's website is www.whentechfails.com/
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