Do you need a pre-filter with your UltraStream? 

Do you need a sediment pre-filter?

A sediment filter is an essential component in many water filtration systems if you’re dealing with well water, rain water, older plumbing, or any water source that may contain particles.

Here’s why you may need it:

1. Protects Downstream Filters and Appliances: Sediment filters are the first line of defence, capturing larger particles like sand, dirt, rust, and silt. Removing these prevents clogging and extends the life of more delicate filters in the system, such as carbon filters or reverse osmosis membranes, which large particles can damage.
2. Improves Water Clarity and Taste: By trapping visible particles, a sediment filter can make your water clearer and improve its overall taste and appearance. This can be especially noticeable if you have high levels of rust or silt in your water.
3. Reduces Maintenance Needs: When sediment is removed early in the filtration process, it reduces buildup and wear on plumbing and fixtures. This means fewer repairs and replacements over time for water-using appliances like water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers.
4. Protects Health: Although sediment itself may not be harmful, sediment buildup can harbour bacteria and other microorganisms, especially in stagnant water. By filtering out sediment, you reduce the chances of these particles compromising your water’s quality.
5. Enhances the Efficiency of Filtration Systems: Sediment filters allow other filter stages to operate more efficiently.

In short, a sediment filter enhances the performance, lifespan, and efficiency of your water filtration system.

Do you need a fluoride pre-filter?

The UltraStream has been laboratory tested with water containing over 4 mg/L of fluoride, achieving up to 78% fluoride removal. Most municipal water supplies in Australia contain fluoride levels below 1.5 mg/L, so we can expect an even higher removal rate. However, for greater fluoride reduction, you can add a fluoride pre-filter, which will remove over 95% of fluoride from the water.

On the other hand, several Australian shires remain without fluoridated water. This includes parts of New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria, and Queensland.

In New South Wales, the Byron Shire (including towns like Byron Bay and Mullumbimby) and Ballina are non-fluoridated. In Western Australia, towns like Bunbury, Busselton, and Margaret River are not fluoridated. Victoria has some rural areas and small towns where fluoridation is not implemented, such as parts of the Mildura region. Queensland also has non-fluoridated areas, with some regional councils opting out after fluoridation became optional in 2008, please check your local shire if you are not sure.

Do you need an Ultra-D pre- filter?

The UltraStream filter offers only minimal protection against pathogens. For rainwater systems without additional pathogen protection, the Ultra-D pre-filter is a crucial addition. It ensures a higher level of safety by effectively removing harmful microorganisms, providing cleaner, safer water.

The Ultra-D filter is an advanced filtration solution utilizing proprietary electro-adsorptive media technology. This technology enables the removal of submicron pathogens and inorganic contaminants through electro-adhesion and ion exchange, achieving filtration efficiency comparable to ultra-membrane filtration but with low-pressure drop, high flow rates, and high loading capacity.

The Ultra-D filter effectively reduces or removes:

• Pathogens: Over 99.99% of viruses (e.g., polio, rotavirus, norovirus), bacteria (e.g., E. coli, legionella, pseudomonas), and cysts (e.g., giardia, cryptosporidium).
• Heavy Metals: Including lead, ferrous iron, arsenic V, cadmium, chromium, selenium, and mercury.
• Organic and Inorganic Chemicals: Such as chlorine, bromine, iodine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), PCBs, BPA, and residual pharmaceuticals.

AlkaWay recommends replacing the Ultra-D filter every 12 months to maintain optimal performance.

Do you need a PFAS pre-filter?

The UltraStream has a layer of Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC).

GAC filters can achieve up to 100% removal of certain PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS, under optimal conditions. These conditions include the flow rate of the water, and the little presence of other contaminants. Therefore, if you run the water at a slower rate, it will filter more contaminants overall. However, unfortunately, we do not have the data for this contaminant, and we are in the process of getting laboratory testing.

The PFOA pre-filter is made of 100% coconut shell activated carbon. Studies have demonstrated that coconut shell activated carbon can achieve high removal rates of PFOA due to its high surface area and microporous structure, which enhance the adsorption process.

For example, some research indicates that under optimal conditions, coconut shell activated carbon can remove over 95% of PFOA from water sources. It is particularly effective in removing smaller organic molecules due to its microporosity, making it a strong option for targeting specific contaminants like PFOA and PFOS.

Do you live in an area that has PFOA contamination? check your area here: https://pfas.australianmap.net/