AlkaWay Whole House – 3 Stage UV Value Safe House Water

The system contains 3 filters and a UV water sterilizer:

• 5 micron (Nominal)* Sediment Filter
• 1 micron (Nominal)* Sediment Filter
• 5-micron Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) with Silver, Granules, Filter
  and
• UV sterilisation system, 45 l/min, Stainless steel, 39 Watt (#175)

Each water filter is encased in 20-inch filter commercial strength housing and everything that is required for set up. Review our Installation manual

UV STERILISER

A UV sterilizer in water filtering systems is used to disinfect water by eliminating harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Here’s a breakdown of its purpose and how it works:

• Key Functions:

Disinfection:

UV sterilizers use ultraviolet (UV) light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by damaging their DNA, preventing them from reproducing or causing infection. This makes the water microbiologically safe to drink.

It is effective against a wide range of pathogens, including bacteria (e.g., E. coli), viruses (e.g., Hepatitis, Norovirus), and protozoa (e.g., Giardia, Cryptosporidium), which are commonly found in untreated or contaminated water sources.

Chemical-Free Sterilization:

UV sterilization does not involve chemicals like chlorine, making it a safer and more environmentally friendly method of water purification. It doesn’t alter the taste, odor, or chemical composition of the water.

This is beneficial for households looking to avoid chemical disinfectants while still ensuring safe drinking water.

Post-Filtration Protection:

A UV sterilizer is typically used as the final stage in a water filtration system, after sediment and carbon filters have removed physical particles and chemical contaminants. The UV light focuses solely on destroying any remaining microorganisms that the filters may not catch.

This adds an extra layer of protection, especially for homes that rely on well water, rainwater collection systems, or other untreated water sources.

Continuous Protection:

UV systems continuously sterilize water as it passes through the unit, ensuring that the water supply remains disinfected at all times. This is particularly useful for whole-house systems or point-of-use systems at sinks, ensuring the water is sterilized just before use.

UV filters, particularly those used in water purification and air treatment systems, are designed to kill or inactivate a wide range of microorganisms.

Filter1: 5-micron (Nominal) Sediment Filter

A 5-micron (Nominal) sediment filter is used to remove small particles, such as dirt, sand, silt, and rust, from water. Here’s a breakdown of its purpose and functionality:

Key Features:

• 5-Micron Filtration:

The 5-micron rating means that the filter is designed to capture particles as small as 5 microns in size. This is small enough to remove fine sediment that could otherwise affect water quality or damage downstream equipment.

For reference, 5 microns is roughly 20 times smaller than a human hair, so it effectively filters out smaller particulates compared to larger-micron filters.

• Nominal Rating:

Nominal means that the filter removes about 85-90% of particles at the specified micron size (5 microns).

It’s generally sufficient for typical residential and commercial water filtration needs.

• Purpose and Benefits:

Protects Other Filtration Systems:

A 5-micron filter often serves as a pre-filter in multi-stage water filtration systems. By removing sediment and debris, it protects more sensitive filters (like carbon filters and UV systems) from clogging or becoming less efficient.

• Improves Water Quality:

It helps improve the clarity and quality of water by reducing cloudiness caused by fine sediments. This is especially important for homes or businesses that use well water, surface water, or water prone to sediment contamination.

• Prolongs Equipment Life:

Sediment filters reduce wear and tear on appliances like water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers by preventing abrasive particles from reaching them. It helps maintain the efficiency and longevity of these devices.

• Prevents Pipe Clogging:

By filtering out sediment, the 5-micron filter helps prevent clogging in plumbing systems, reducing maintenance and the need for repairs in both residential and industrial setups.

• Common Uses:

Home Water Filtration: Used as the first stage in many household filtration systems to remove particulates before water reaches finer filters or appliances.

Well Water Filtration: For homes that use well water, which often contains higher levels of sediment.

Filter 2: 1-micron (Nominal) Sediment Filter

A 1-micron (Nominal) sediment filter is used to remove fine particles, such as dirt, sand, silt, and rust, from water. Here’s how it works and its purpose:

1. Particle Removal: The “1-micron” rating indicates that the filter can remove particles as small as 1 micron in size. For reference, a human hair is about 70 microns in diameter, so this filter is highly effective at capturing fine sediment.
2. Nominal Rating: A “nominal” rating means the filter will remove about 85-90% of particles that are 1 micron in size.
3. Improves Water Quality: By removing sediment, the filter helps improve the taste, clarity, and quality of water, making it better for drinking, bathing, or even use in appliances.

Why It Matters:

• Protects your main water filter (e.g., UltraStream) from clogging or damage

• Improves water clarity and taste

• Reduces wear on plumbing and appliances

• Essential first stage for any multi-stage filtration system

Filter 3: 5-micron Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) with Silver, loose media type Filter

A 5-micron Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) with Silver, loose media type filter combines physical filtration with chemical and antimicrobial treatment for enhanced water purification. Here’s a breakdown of its purpose and benefits:

Key Components:

1. 5-Micron Filtration:
   • The 5-micron rating means that the filter captures particles as small as 5 microns, such as fine sediment, rust, dirt, and other particulates. It acts as a physical barrier to prevent larger contaminants from passing through.
2. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC):
   • GAC is highly porous and adsorbs contaminants from water, such as chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bad odors, and certain chemicals. It enhances the taste, smell, and overall quality of water.
   • Loose media type means the GAC is not compressed but in a granular form, which provides more surface area for adsorption and a faster flow rate.
3. Silver Impregnation:
   • Silver is added to the carbon to provide an antimicrobial function. Silver ions prevent the growth of bacteria, mold, and algae on the filter media, which can be a concern with standard GAC filters.
   • This ensures the filter remains more hygienic and effective over time, especially in areas where microbial contamination is possible.

Purpose and Benefits:

1. Chemical Contaminant Removal:
   • The GAC component is effective at removing or reducing chemicals that affect water taste and quality, such as chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, and other organic compounds.
   • It also reduces certain industrial pollutants and solvents that might be present in the water supply.
2. Sediment Filtration:
   • The 5-micron rating ensures that fine particles like silt, sand, and rust are captured before they can affect water quality or damage downstream filtration systems.
3. Antimicrobial Protection:
   • The silver impregnation prevents bacterial growth within the filter, enhancing the safety and longevity of the system. This is particularly important in areas where stagnant water could lead to bacterial proliferation.
4. Improves Water Taste and Odor:
   • By removing chlorine, organic chemicals, and other compounds, the GAC filter significantly enhances the taste and smell of drinking water.
5. Pre-Filter or Standalone Filter:
   • This filter can be used as a pre-filter in multi-stage filtration systems, removing contaminants before water reaches finer filters or purifiers.
   • Alternatively, it can serve as a standalone filter in systems where chemical and microbial concerns are the primary focus.

Summary:

A 5-micron GAC with Silver filter is highly effective at improving water quality by combining fine sediment filtration, chemical adsorption, and antimicrobial protection. It is ideal for removing chlorine, odors, chemicals, and preventing bacterial growth, ensuring safe, clean, and better-tasting water.

Other Information:

*** Most customers add an UltraStream drinking water system to remove bad taste, colour or odour issues.
**** On average each filter should last up to 12 months. This will depend on the water usage over that time and the condition of your water source. So, it may need replacing sooner than 12 months.

Other factors to consider for whole house systems: 

1. Water source: Town water, creek water, spring water, rainwater… all have very different characteristics. Your water source is key to the Whole House System that you choose.

(a) Creek water is a prime source of bacteria mainly from faecal matter, either animal or human upstream. It can also be high in sediment especially after solid rain upstream or in the area. We take into consideration your need to be able to remove and clean a sediment filter without stress.

(b) Spring water is thought to be wonderful water, but today it’s not necessarily so. In vast areas of Australia, spring water can be highly alkaline. While not a bad thing, (it has been shown to be very healthy) it often has serious effects on your hot water service, your shower rose, and your kettle. We look at alternatives to prevent the accretion of calcium in this form. In areas such as Western Australia, iron can be a major component of spring water. In the subtropics, often spring water can be quite acidic because of the accumulative effect of composting layers of subtropical foliage.

(c) Tank water labours under another myth that water from the sky is clean. It is not, because it falls through a layer of quite mixed pollution onto a roof that is a catchall for airborne pollution (in its myriad of forms), sweeping the accumulated pollution into a tank that usually accommodates at least one form of dead mammal. A recent serious problem for tank owners has been the discovery that bat (flying foxes etc.) faeces carry many very serious diseases. From overhead, bat faeces drops onto roofs and is washed into our drinking water tanks. As we know, in some areas thousands of bats pass overhead twice a night.

2. Tanks are also commonly thought to hold pH-neutral water. This is seldom the case. A concrete water tank will leach calcium into your water for up to 20 years, whereas modern plastic or fibreglass tanks seriously acidify your water.

3.  pH: This brings us to the whole question of pH for a whole of house filter. We do offer an alkaline pH system on request, but generally, only recommend this for areas that have highly acidic water. In general, we try to make sure that the only water with high alkalinity is your drinking water. This is most easily achieved with an at-tap system like the UltraStream, simply because alkalising all of your home water has no real benefit except (as already stated) your water is so acidic that it needs alkalising.

4. Bacteria and Viruses are a much bigger problem with water tanks than with city/municipal water supply, simply because they are not chlorinated. Some farmers have even taken the step of installing a chlorine generator to keep their water tank clean, but we feel that it’s more economical and more healthy to kill bacteria using ultraviolet (UV) light rather than with a known carcinogen. Tank water users also regularly report that their skin is far better cared for and supple with no chlorine in the system. A good UV system, regularly checked, will achieve extreme kill rates for all manner of bacteria (your UV system’s lamp and quartz sleeve need to be checked at least every 12 months, or after heavy rain fall). Silver infusion of carbon inhibits bacteria growth which is a better option when filtering tank water.

5. Media: As we mentioned, we will select the right media for your particular installation and budget. Generally, we offer two forms of sediment filter and two forms of carbon. We don’t want to bore you with all the tech specs, so we suggest giving us a call or email.

6. Quality: We only source NSF-approved media and replacement cartridges. Most pre-made units on the market use substandard filter media. We have learned the ‘tricks of the trade’ over the years and have made the decision that happy clients are better than high profits.