How do I choose a water filter cartridge?

08 Apr.,2024

 

The Essential Guide to Choosing the Right Water Filter Cartridge

SOMRA SRL

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3 min read

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Aug 29, 2023

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Are you in search of a water filter cartridge that can provide the purest and cleanest water possible? The key lies in selecting the right water filter cartridge. This blog will educate you on the many cartridge kinds that are readily accessible and assist you in selecting the ideal one for your residence or place of work. To guarantee the best possible water for your requirements, consider your alternatives and make an informed choice.

There are many different types of water filter cartridges available on the market right now, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. These cartridges come in various sizes and designs, ranging from large-scale industrial systems to compact countertop options. Some cartridges are versatile and can perform multiple filtration tasks, while others are specifically designed for specialized purposes such as water softening or reverse osmosis systems.

It’s crucial to take the kind of water being filtered into account when selecting the best water filter cartridge for your residence or place of business. You’ll need a cartridge that can remove chlorine and other common contaminants from municipal water if it’s municipal water. Look for cartridges that are intended to collect particles such as silt and sand for well- or spring-fed sources.

So let’s examine all there is to know about water filter cartridges.

Understanding the Various Water Filter Cartridge Types

There are several water filter cartridges available to suit various requirements and water types. Each variety has unique benefits that can significantly improve the quality of your water. Here is an explanation:

● Sediment filters: These cartridges are skilled at clearing your water of sediment, rust, and grime.

● Chlorine and other organic pollutants may be effectively removed using activated carbon filters.

● Ceramic filters: They eliminate germs and cysts and are renowned for their microfiltration powers.

How a Softening System Works

By removing minerals like calcium and magnesium, a softening system is primarily intended to reduce water hardness. This is how it goes:

● The system employs the ion exchange mechanism to swap out hard ions for softer ones.

● Hard water flows through a resin tank containing sodium ions.

● Hard ions are replaced by sodium ions, softening the water as a result.

The Role of Reverse Osmosis in Water Filtration

A thorough filtering technique that effectively cleanses water is reverse osmosis. Let’s examine its main features:

● Water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane by a high-pressure pump.

● Removal of pollutants: A significant portion of pollutants are successfully removed by the method.

● Storage Tank: After being cleaned, the water is kept in a tank for future use.

Considerations to Make When Selecting a Water Filter Cartridge

There are a few essential variables to take into account when choosing a water filter cartridge. These consist of:

● Water quality refers to the types and concentrations of pollutants in your water.

● The amount of water that can be filtered in a given amount of time is called the filtration rate.

● Maintenance: How frequently and simply cartridge swaps must be made.

The Value of Continual Maintenance

Your water filtration system’s lifetime and effectiveness depend on routine maintenance. Important points include:

● Replacement on Schedule: Changing the cartridge on schedule guarantees peak performance.

● Cleaning: Regular cleaning keeps pollutants from accumulating and extends life.

● System Check: Performing routine system checks enables early detection of possible issues.

The Effects of Water Filter Cartridges on the Environment

The environmental effect of bottled water is significantly diminished by the use of water filter cartridges. This is how:

● Utilizing a water filter lessens the need for disposable water bottles, which lowers plastic waste.

● Lower Carbon Footprint: Less bottled water is produced and transported.

● Recyclability: Many cartridges are recyclable, thus reducing the negative effects on the environment.

Wrap up!

In conclusion, selecting the proper water filter cartridge is essential for ensuring that the water is clean and safe to drink. You may choose a cartridge that meets your demands by taking water quality, filtration rate, and maintenance into account.

Additionally, adding a reverse osmosis or softening system can improve the quality of your water even more. Regular maintenance of these systems not only ensures their effectiveness but also lessens our carbon footprint and reduces plastic waste, both of which promote a healthy environment. It benefits both the environment and you.

Once you have identified the water quality issue you are having, you will need to determine the type of water filter cartridge required to solve the problem. When deciding this you will want to keep in mind the desired flow rate and the filter cartridge size needed for the job.

 

In this blog, we will be reviewing the basics of:

  • Water Testing
  • Typical Water Problems: Symptoms, Cause, Solution
  • Water Filter Cartridge Options & Benefits

 

Water Testing

You can see, taste or smell when there is a water quality issue. But now what? It's recommended to have your water tested to verify the true problem, in order to make an educated decision.

 

WARNING: Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the unit.

 

 

 

Typical Water Problems!

 

Symptoms: Cloudy, Discoloured or Tinted Water, Clogged or Leaking Faucets

Cause: Dirt, Sediment, Rust Particles

Solution: Whole House Filter System or Under Counter Filters

 

Symptoms: Musty, Swampy Taste, Chlorine Taste - in Water & Ice Cubes

Cause: Taste / Odour

Solution: Carbon Cartridges and Canister style Ice Maker / Refrigerator Filters

 

Symptoms: Soap Deposits on Dishes, Clothing Soap Curd in Bathtub

Cause: Hard Water

Solution: Water Softeners

 

Symptoms: Red/brown Stains on Fixtures & Clothes, Metallic Taste

Cause: Iron

Solution: Iron Filters

 

Symptoms: Brackish (Salty) Taste, Cloudy Ice Cubes, Deposits on Pots & Pans When Boiling Water

Cause: Dissolved Salts

Solution: Reverse Osmosis

 

Symptoms: Build-up in Water Heater Tank, Banging Water Heater

Cause: Scale

Solution: Hot Water System Protector

 

Drinking Water FAQ

 

Water Filter Cartridge Options & Benefits

Once you identified, your water quality issue, we can determine the type(s) of water filter cartridge that required to solve the problem.

 

SEDIMENT

  • Suitable for silt, dirt, sand, rust & scale particles.

 

PLEATED POLYESTER FILTER CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications, including residential, commercial and industrial.

NOTE: this cartridge can be cleaned and reused in most applications and micron ratings.

 

STANDARD SPUN POLYPROPYLENE DEPTH CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications, including potable water systems, food and beverage, commercial, industrial and home reverse osmosis system.

 

SPUN POLYPROPYLENE GRADIENT DEPTH CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications, including food and beverage, commercial and home reverse osmosis system.

 

GIANT SPUN POLYPROPYLENE GRADIENT DEPTH CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications, including domestic and commercial pre-reverse osmosis.

 

STRING WOUND POLYPROPYLENE CARTRIDGE

Ideal for removing very fine sediment right through to very coarse sediment, at ambient temperatures.

Polypropylene Yarn

  • Used for water, oils, concentrated acids and alkalis, oxidizing agents, corrosive fluids, and gases.

Polypropylene Core

  • Low temperature applications can be incinerated for easy disposal.

 

300°F HIGH TEMP. STRING WOUND COTTON CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications including potable water. Suitable for removing very fine sediment right through to very coarse sediment.

Bleached Cotton

  • Used for 

    water, distilled water, beverages, oils - animal/vegetable/petroleum, acids - citric/ fatty, alcohols.

Tinned Steel Core

  • General-purpose core, for solvents, paints, and oils.

300°F HIGH TEMP. STRING WOUND NATURAL COTTON CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications. Suitable for removing very fine sediment right through to very coarse sediment.

Natural Cotton

  • Used for water, organic solvents, oils, paints, petroleum, alcohols. 

304 Stainless Steel Core

  • High temperature, strong acids, moderately corrosive fluids.

 

TASTE & ODOUR

  • Suitable for unpleasant taste & odour, chlorine taste & odour, fine sediment & particles.

 

STANDARD CARBON DEPTH CARTRIDGES

Ideal for a wide range of applications.

 

CARBON BLOCK (BRIQUETTE) CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications, including point-of-use and reverse osmosis, residential, food service, commercial, and industrial.

 

CARBON BRIQUETTE ‘CYST REMOVAL’ CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications, including potable water filtration, as well as many industrial, commercial and food service.

 

CARBON BRIQUETTE / MULTIMEDIA CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications, including pre- and post- reverse osmosis filtration, taste and odour reduction for potable water in residential drinking water systems, commercial water coolers in schools, offices and factories.

 

POWDER ACTIVATED CARBON WRAP CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications.

 

GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications, including reverse osmosis system or water dispensing system in residential, commercial & industrial.

 

SPINDOWN / SAND SEPARATOR FILTER

Ideal for a wide range of applications, including whole house filtration, agricultural and commercial / industrial applications. 

 

IN-LINE TASTE & ODOUR FILTER CARTRIDGE

Ideal for a wide range of applications, including icemaker, reverse osmosis system, coffee maker, and refrigerator.

 

 

Now that you have a better understanding of water filter cartridges and how they can solve any water quality issue you may have, I would like to leave you with a Pro Tip: Select a water filter cartridge with a Gallons Per Minute Rating that is 2x the desired flow rate. This will result in the cartridge lasting closer to or up to the recommended six-month replacement time for maximum cost efficiency.

For more information, check out our 'Choosing the Proper Water Filtration Solution'. 

Have further questions about this subject?

 

Head over to Boshart's Knowledge Base: technical product information, guidelines, and more. 

 

 

How do I choose a water filter cartridge?

Choosing a Proper Water Filter Cartridge