Truth-False about filter jugs, bottles, and tap filters
The UAE, the Professional chamber of water treatment professionals who have signed the Charter of commitment to users, informs you :
HOW DO THEY WORK ?
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In mobile systems, drinking water is filtered by activated carbon, either with or without ion-exchange resin TRUE
Cartridges in mobile filter systems contain activated carbon either compressed or in the form of grains, with or without ion-exchange resin.
For a number of years, activated carbon has been used to improve taste of bottled water because it adsorbs chlorine and chlorine derivatives.
It also retains organic residues (like several pesticides).
The addition of ion-exchange resin aims to reduce the carbonate hardness of water which can alter taste of drinks and foods, and is responsible for scaling appliances. The partial demineralisation of water by decarbonation is particularly suitable for the preparation of hot drinks like tea and coffee, or for cooking.
Heavy metals present in tap water, such as copper and lead can also be retained. To find the right product for your needs, consult the packaging where the manufacturers state what the cartridge is able to filter.
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All cartridges for mobile systems filter the same things FALSE
All cartridges do not filter the same things. It depends on the technology used (activated carbon and ion-exchange resin in grains or as a block of compressed activated carbon generally), but also on the type of resins used and the grade of the activated carbon which vary from one manufacturer to the other.
To find out which substances are filtered, refer to the information provided on the packaging.
Mobile drinking water filtration systems : what exactly are they ?
Mobile drinking water filtration systems are designed to optimise tap water for the preparation of food and drinks, whether hot or cold, by removing some undesirable substances. They produce a filtered water that does not taste or smell chlorine.
There are three types of mobile systems :
- filter jugs
- on-the-go mobile systems like bottles
- tap filters (attached to the tap’s spout)
QUALITY OF THE FILTERED WATER
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Mobile systems make water drinkable FALSE
Mobile drinking water filtration systems optimise tap water, but they do not make water drinkable if it was not already drinkable from a regulatory point of view.
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Mobile systems bring out the flavour of your cooking and drinks TRUE
By reducing chlorine and prevent creation of limescale when water is boiled, mobile drinking water filtration systems remove unpleasant smell and taste of chlorine and optimise the water’s taste.
When used for food preparation and cooking, hot drinks and cooked dishes therefore release all their aromas.
Moreover, the decarbonation of water prevents surface deposits on tea and makes coffee better froth.
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Mobile systems even filter substances that are not supposed to be found in drinking water TRUE & FALSE
It is true that the adsorbent properties of activated carbon can retain certain pesticides.
However, since the quality of tap water is highly regulated and is subject to numerous health controls, the cartridges in mobile systems are not intended to reduce the content of substances that are not supposed to be found in drinking water, such as all pesticides or drug residues which are very diverse and changeable molecules.
To find out the list of filtered substances, consult the manufacturers’ packaging.
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Mobile systems are a breeding ground for bacteria FALSE
Manufacturers are particularly anxious to offer mobile drinking water filtration systems that pose no risk to health.
Several techniques are therefore used, both before the cartridge is sold and during its use to prevent the growth of bacteria, for instance, they undergo steam sterilisation, are individually wrapped or are
treated with silver salts which have been renowned for their antibacterial power since time immemorial.
Of course, some basic hygiene rules should also be observed when using mobile systems :
- drink the filtered water within 24 to 48 hours
- store the jug in a cool place away from sunlight
- clean the jug regularly
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You must change the cartridge regularly TRUE
The principle of mobile drinking water filtration systems is to permanently retain the targetted substances (limescale, chlorine, heavy metals, etc.).
Once the time recommended by the manufacturer has been exceeded, the cartridge no longer filters, which means you will be back to drinking unfiltered tap water.
As regards the lifespan of cartridges, consumers are advised to replace the cartridges as often as recommended by the manufacturer on the product packaging.
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The plastics, resins and activated carbons used in mobile systems are safe materials TRUE
Like all materials in contact with food, mobile drinking water filtration systems are approved “food grade quality" in accordance with the Consumer Code.
This means that plastics used comply with both national and European regulations applicable to food-contact materials, guaranteeing that no harmful substances can be transferred into the water.
Likewise, resins and activated carbons used comply with standards applicable to products used to treat water for human consumption.
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Mobile systems remove essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium from tap water FALSE
Cartridges that use activated carbon and ion-exchange resins reduce calcium and magnesium only present in bicarbonates form (calcium and magnesium bicarbonates are responsible for the formation of limescale when water is boiled), but do not reduce all the calcium and magnesium. Moreover, the contribution of drinking water to the recommended daily intake of calcium and magnesium is very small.
A balanced diet easily meets the body’s requirements.
Mobile systems do not release elements that are undesirable to humans TRUE
When the cartridge is activated, two substances present in the mobile drinking water filtration system can pass into the filtered water. Firstly, black particles can appear ; these are tiny, very flaky grains of activated carbon that have passed through the filter’s barrier. These carbon particles are not harmful at all.
Secondly, a small amount of silver, used as an antibacterial agent in some cartridges, can be released into the first few liters of filtered water, but in proportions that are significantly lower than WHO* recommendations and the threshold set by the AFNOR** standard.
Despite the harmlessness of these two substances, the majority of manufacturers recommend that when changing your cartridge, you should use the first two or three volumes of water filtered by the jug for your plants.
* World Health Organisation
** AFNOR standard NF P 41 650 which defines the threshold not to be exceeded by filters
during manufacturer tests
SAVINGS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
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Mobile systems makes me save money TRUE
Do the maths ! Investing in a filter jug mobile system will cost you €0.003/l of filtered water over 5 years. The impact of the cost of the cartridge is €0.04 to €0.06/l of filtered water.
A litre of filtered water therefore costs less than 7 euro cents, that’s two to three times cheaper than spring water (€0.14 to €0.20/l) and five to six times cheaper than mineral water (€0.35 to €0.40/l)*. And there’s no lugging those heavy packs of water !
Lastly, while tap water is the cheapest (at around €0.0035/l), filtered water prevents limescale build-up in your electrical domestic appliances and brings out the flavour of foods.
* http://www.eauxdesources.org/prix-de-l-eau-c36-p73.html
* http://www.quechoisir.org/alimentation/produit-alimentaire/boisson/guide-d-achat- quelle-eau-boire
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Mobile systems reduce the environmental impact TRUE
By not consuming bottled water you are not creating new household waste
WHY CALL ON A UAE MEMBER ?
Water treatment professionals who are members of UAE represent a network of qualified specialists who have opted for ethics and quality :
- They have all agreed to abide by UAE’s Code of Ethics.
- The Ethics Commission guarantees consumers comply with the commitments of this code.
- They are regularly informed of any technical and regulatory developments and all their staff undergo specific training organised by their company either internally and/or by UAE.
3 GOOD REASONS TO USE A MOBILE DRINKING WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM
Reason No. 1 It’s practical and improves the taste of tap water
A mobile drinking water filtration system means I always have delicious water into hand that is free of undesired elements such as chlorine which affects its
taste and flavour. It also prevents the formation of limescale when bringing water to the boil when cooking or preparing my favourite hot drink.
Reason No. 2 It’s eco-friendly
With a mobile drinking water filtration system, I’m not creating new plasticwaste.
Reason No. 3 It makes me save money
A liter of filtered water is much cheaper than bottled water.
By optimising tap water, mobile drinking water filtration system increases the lifespan of all my household appliances that boil water, like my coffee machine and kettle.