Pure (brand) Coconut Carbon Block Filters are made from a combination of high-performance coconut shell carbon, unique binders and industry-leading manufacturing processes to deliver trade-quality carbon block filters. They deliver exceptionally low pressure drop while maintaining a high dirt holding capacity with excellent contaminant reduction capabilities. Coconut Carbon is rated to be one of the best base materials used in today's market.
Coconut Carbon provides a much higher volume of micropores than coal, wood or lignite-based carbon, thus resulting in a more effective removal of trihalomethanes (THM's) from chlorinated municipal water supplies. The larger surface area of a compressed carbon block also provides a more effective method of filtering common contaminants such as chlorine and chloramines, whilst the unique raw material of the coconut shell and the carbon manufacturing process ensures exceptional hardness and low ash content.
Pure (brand) Coconut Carbon Blocks are registered in compliance with NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and 61 for several things, including VOC’s, THM’s, Lead & Heavy Metal Reduction, Chloramine Reduction & Chlorine Taste & Odour reduction. This also includes meeting standards of purity & safety of the materials used.
What is Silver Impregnated (Bacteriostatic) Carbon and how does it work?
Contrary to popular belief, carbon does not filter out bacteria. Whilst carbon effectively removes odours and taste issues from water, carbon ash is actually a source of nourishment for bacteria, making wet carbon filters a breeding ground for microbial contamination. This, unfortunately, causes biofouling of the filter cartridge which can lead to premature blockage, putrid tastes and odours and worse - illness as a result of ingesting the bacteria that has passed through the cartridge and into your drinking water! Using a rotten filter can make you seriously sick - so if in doubt - chuck it out!
Silver Impregnated Carbon, on the other hand, is bacteriostatic - meaning that it is proven to inhibit the growth of carbon-fed bacteria within the filter to prevent bio-fouling and prolong the life of a cartridge - even while it is not being used! Bacteriostatic Silver Impregnated Carbon filters are therefore great for use with Caravans and are ideal for periods of time where the filter may go unused. If you want to get the most out of your carbon filter, you can even go one step further and dry it out between uses!
So, how does Silver Impregnation inhibit the growth of bacteria in a carbon filter? When bacteria come into contact with silver, the silver ions puncture the bacteria's cell membrane and wreak havoc by binding to and denaturing the bacteria's DNA. The sulphydryl group already within the bacterial cell also reacts with the silver, producing a silver sulphur complex that immobilises the respiratory and reproductive activity of the bacterial cell. Interestingly, Silver Impregnation has an incredibly long-lasting effect, as the dead bacteria then leach the silver molecules back into their environment, effectively killing neighbouring live bacteria as they die.
Dead bacteria store the microscopic silver particles within their cells (see above image of dead bacteria with silver nanoparticles (white spots), making them deadly to live bacteria. (Source: "Antibacterial Activity of Silver-Killed Bacteria: The "Zombie" Effect" (2015), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25906433/).
It's important to note that Silver Impregnated Carbon is BACTERIOSTATIC - meaning that it inhibits or prevents the increase or growth of bacterial levels WITHIN the filter only. Silver Impregnated Carbon Filters WILL NOT sanitise, disinfect or remove bacteria from water.
Disinfection For Protection Against Bacteria
For sanitation against common water-borne bacteria/viruses in rainwater and potable bore water (i.e. *bore water that has been tested to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines and deemed suitable for drinking purposes per the Guidelines’ aesthetic, health and safety recommendations), we recommend dosing your water source with a product such as Hydrosil Ultra 7.5% Water Sanitiser. Dosing with a disinfectant will ensure residual protection against microbiological contamination/biofouling in your pipework and/or filter system. Alternatively, for a full-time point-of-use sanitation solution, consider Ultraviolet (UV) Water Sanitation.
HydroSil Ultra 7.5% Drinking Water Sanitiser
HydroSil is a food-grade silver and hydrogen-peroxide based water sanitiser, which acts to oxidise bacteria and viruses without leaving any dangerous residues behind. HydroSil sanitizes and protects your tanks and water storage devices, making rainwater and potable bore water* safe and suitable for human consumption. HydroSil is not a chlorine-based chemical like most sterilisers on the market today. It is non-toxic, and safe to use around your home and family.
