Water Filtration ripoff. Don't get caught

[woodbe]

We have used Adelaide water for a long time with no ill-effects that we know of. When we put in our rainwater tank, the installer pointed out the potential health benefits of filtration and UV disinfection of that tank water, and referred me to a local shop that sold all the required bits and pieces. At the end of the day, we chose a system to filter the whole house, regardless of the water coming from the tank or the mains, and the results have been excellent.

That's the good bit

The bad bit is that it was very expensive. We landed up with a bill for over $2k and the installation costs were on top of that. The shop recently sent out a letter advising us that it was probably time to replace the filter cartridges, and they could do the work for just under $400. Ouch.

Never underestimate the power of the internets

I let my google do the walking, and I found a nice little business in Tasmania that is full bottle on water filtration, huge range, and ships anywhere. After speaking them, I bought a re-fillable carbon canister, carbon/silver filter agent for 2 refills, and a paper filter (ours is a 20 inch two-stage system) for less than $200 delivered, and the ongoing refill cost assuming a paper filter and a carbon refill is well under $100

That is a shocking difference. They sell the units too, and they are under half the cost for the same hardware as what we paid originally, a year ago.

No shares or interest in this business, just a happy customer.

http://psifilters.com.au/

woodbe.

[Ivan in Oz]

I also have Filters on our Water.

I use Fabric PRE Filters.
The ones which you can rinse out and reuse often.
ALSO
The Activated Charcoal filters are replaced when required.

All by me.
Easy peasy and not that $$$$

[bricks]

Your filters don't run out over time either, they run out by being used.

Most filters I've seen will quite happily go for 12 months, an annual replacement with the somealarm battery is good, at the start of daylight saving.

Ps If you change them yourself- you need to run water through the carbon filters ( approx 10-20 litres) before you say they are ready for use. This is because excess carbon needs to be flushed out.

Simply undo the outlet of the filter unit, turn the water on slowly, let it run for about a minute( or until the water goes clear) do it all up again and turn the water back on full.

[woodbe]

Ivan. Ours are pleated paper. they can be cleaned a few times between changes. How many microns are you using?

Bricks, Yes, when I bought the kit, they made a record of our approximate water use, I think that is what reminded them to bleed us for more money. I didn't know about running the filters in, but have not seen any carbon in the water, either...

woodbe.

[bricks]

It's only the first 5- 10 litres

[Ivan in Oz]

Ivan. Ours are pleated paper. they can be cleaned a few times between changes. How many microns are you using?

woodbe.

Mine are Pleated Fabric.
They end up Red and SOLID, from Rust and Mud
I have a Twin 20 inch filter B4 the RO
use 2 x 10inch with a coupling piece between them to give 20"
Should check 'em

[LeftyJim]

I went through a similar exercise with an above sink carbon filter bought from a local filter shop (now thankfully out of business).
The unit they sold me used carbon filters that were non standard in length - a nice way for them to keep getting replacement filter sales at a huge mark up.

Years ago when ringing around for a better price on replacement filters, one kind soul from another filter supplier advised me that a non-standard size filter was required, and offered to swap our filter housing with a standard one - he had a second hand one I could have. We also bought a couple of replacement filters from him - standard size.

I have since converted the above sink unit we had to an undersink mounted version by buying the bits required from PSI filters. The chap was very helpful in advising me what I needed. His prices on bits and filters are some of the best I have found. He also has been very quick with shipping things to me.

I also have no shares or interest in the business, the reason I'm happy to give it a plug is that it is one of those rare ones that offer good service and good prices (I sound like a corny advert).

[rrich]

This is something that SWMBO and I fight about.

We have city water and a filter in the ice maker in the refrigerator. She replaces it as needed at $40 each.

What little I remember from high school chemistry says that solutions pass through filters. Anything that is disolved can not be removed by simple filtration.

I don't understand the purpose of the filter in the refrigerator other than to enrich the filter maker.

[memphis]

We have used Adelaide water for a long time with no ill-effects that we know of. When we put in our rainwater tank, the installer pointed out the potential health benefits of filtration and UV disinfection of that tank water, and referred me to a local shop that sold all the required bits and pieces. At the end of the day, we chose a system to filter the whole house, regardless of the water coming from the tank or the mains, and the results have been excellent.

That's the good bit

The bad bit is that it was very expensive. We landed up with a bill for over $2k and the installation costs were on top of that. The shop recently sent out a letter advising us that it was probably time to replace the filter cartridges, and they could do the work for just under $400. Ouch.

Never underestimate the power of the internets

I let my google do the walking, and I found a nice little business in Tasmania that is full bottle on water filtration, huge range, and ships anywhere. After speaking them, I bought a re-fillable carbon canister, carbon/silver filter agent for 2 refills, and a paper filter (ours is a 20 inch two-stage system) for less than $200 delivered, and the ongoing refill cost assuming a paper filter and a carbon refill is well under $100

That is a shocking difference. They sell the units too, and they are under half the cost for the same hardware as what we paid originally, a year ago.

No shares or interest in this business, just a happy customer.

http://psifilters.com.au/

woodbe.

that site is extremely popular amongs marine aquarium owners also; due to the good prices and quality of the units..

[elkangorito]

Whatever happened to the "good old days?"

I grew up on "tank" water...a couple of galvanised iron tanks that caught the water from our galvanised iron roof. Nobody ever got sick & all of us who drank it then, are still perfectly healthy today (40 years ago).

What was in our water?
Dead birds, dead lizards, iron & perhaps some other metals, rotting leaves etc. All good for strengthening the immune system.

I believe that over-filtering water is unhealthy. Our bodies need the electrolytes in "normal" water.

If you want safe & drinkable water without the over-filtering, try a clay/coffee grounds filter...guaranteed to get rid of the nasty stuff & leave all the good stuff. You can make it yourself.

[Ivan in Oz]

Whatever happened to the "good old days?"

What was in our water?

I remember being told

"If you have Green tree Frogs in your Tank Water,
then it is OK to drink"

In hind sight,
seems to hold true.

Oh!! What strainers?

[woodbe]

elkangorito,

I agree with you, but the issue we face in urban areas from roof collection is increased threats from parasites, airborne pollutants etc. The filtration doesn't remove all the electrolytes, unlike the reverse osmosis plants.

On town water, the filter delivers a very pleasant, non odorous glass of water, thank you very much.

At the very least, all your taps and cisterns will last longer with a 5-20 micron filter taking all the big rubbish out. I'm surprised how much junk ours has caught from the town supply!

woodbe.

[davo_scuba]

[quote=elkangorito;636972]Whatever happened to the "good old days?"

I grew up on "tank" water...a couple of galvanised iron tanks that caught the water from our galvanised iron roof. Nobody ever got sick & all of us who drank it then, are still perfectly healthy today (40 years ago).
yeah but how many cars were on the roads in those days and all the other chemicals that are being used today ?

[silentC]

For people worried about stuff collecting on the roof and then ending up in their tank, all you need is a first flush device. You probably breathe more of the stuff in than you'll ever ingest, considering how much water you drink vs. how many breaths you take a day. Ever been up in the ceiling of a suburban house and wondered what's in all that dust and where it came from?

As for how many cars etc. well back then they used leaded petrol.