Stage 3: Dual Finishing Cartridge: Activated Coconut Carbon/Calcium Alkalising Post-Filter (GT6-18LS) - (Replace Every 12 Months)

The last stage features a high grade of activated coconut carbon to impart a naturally sweet taste, which then passes through calcite (CaCO³) alkalising media to raise and buffer the final pH to between 7-8, without causing hardness. Note that upon installation, a new Calcium Alkalising cartridge may register an initial pH higher than 8, but it will quickly balance out.

Stage 4: Inline Magnetic Water Conditioner (Never Needs Replacing)

The effects of magnetization on the physicochemical properties of water have been well documented in scientific literature for several decades, with findings ranging from the application of magnets to reduce the growth of limescale in pipes, through to the documentation of magnetically treated water being used to improve the quality and quantity of fruit yield in capsicum plants and increasing the level of oxygen in water to improve hatch rate of fish eggs.

Faucet Tap Options

All of our under-sink RO systems come with a dedicated drinking water faucet tap as standard – which means you will need to drill a hole into your sink or benchtop to install it. Alternatively, you can swap out your current faucet for a 3-way mixer tap, which includes all 3 lines in the one faucet (Hot, Cold & Filtered) – this is a great option for those who don’t want to drill (i.e. if you have a stone benchtop), and it also looks nice and minimalistic. If you would like to explore our range of faucets and mixer taps in better detail, please click the below:

• Click here to check out our full range of Drinking Water Faucets and 3 Way Mixer Taps.

RO Water Storage Tank Options

Because Reverse Osmosis membranes filter down to such a fine micron rating (0.0001 of a micron), they produce water at a very slow rate (on average 8 litres PER HOUR). This is why all plumbed-in RO systems come standard with a dedicated drinking water tap, and a water storage tank. Your water usage requirements and under-sink space can help determine which sized tank to choose from. Consider that the average person should drink 2L of water per day, and that the system will automatically re-fill at a rate of 8 litres per hour. Choose from a 6L, 8L or 12L tank - the tank dimensions can be seen in the image below:

This RO system is certified to WaterMark Standards AS/NZS 3497 under Certificate Number 23247. WaterMark certification is the level of certification required by law for a licensed plumber in Australia to install a water filtration system. All products used under this certification will give you peace of mind knowing that your water filter complies with Australian plumbing codes. Our WaterMark Certified filter systems are hand-assembled here in Australia and are randomly batch-tested to ensure top quality and workmanship for your water filtration products. WaterMark Certification not only covers materials for structural integrity under pressure, but it also requires that all components (including filters) meet National Sanitation Foundation (NSF/ANSI) 42 Standards or higher. Do not trust products that do not have WaterMark Certification - they can be hazardous to your health and may result in denied insurance claims due to Australia's Plumbing & Drainage Laws. 

INSTALLATION - Please note this system is WaterMark Certified to Australian plumbing standards (AS/NZS 3497), and will need to be installed by a licensed plumber. Simply order online with free shipping to your home, and once it arrives any local licensed plumber will be able to do the installation (the system also comes with instructions)!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT REVERSE OSMOSIS

Our Thoughts On Fluoride

Whether or not you agree or disagree with the fluoridation of Australian Tap Water, most municipalities in Australia have adopted the practice of adding fluoride due to its dental health benefits. Fluoride has been proven to help remineralise and strengthen the tooth enamel to prevent cavities and tooth decay with incredible effectiveness, hence why it is the most common ingredient in mainstream toothpastes! However, too much fluoride (or exposure to fluoride in childrens' developing teeth) can cause dental fluorosis - a condition characterised by unsightly discolorations and small white spots visible on the surface of the tooth. Whilst rare, fluorosis can actually damage the surface of undeveloped teeth, weakening them in the long run.

Dental Fluorosis of the teeth.

Of course, as with any miracle of modern medicine, it is true that "the dose makes the poison". At high doses, Fluoride is a proven neurotoxin - as shown in countless credible studies - and this is why all fluoridated toothpastes must list the fluoride content and warn you not to swallow it! However, in spite of its clear dental health benefits, a simple Google Scholar search of academic research articles on "chronic exposure to fluoride" will help educate you on what is currently known about the long-term consequences of ingesting fluoride. Fluoride is good for your teeth, but do you really want to be consuming it?

Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration is the safest and most effective solution to remove fluoride from your drinking water, as fluoride is a Mineral Salt. Mineral salts will pass straight through standard sediment and carbon filtration, however, using a 0.0001 Micron reverse osmosis membrane offers a 98% reduction in fluoride (in addition to heavy metals and salts). 

(Fun Fact: Fluoride isn't the only compound capable of remineralising your teeth! For example, in Japan, one of the most popular toothpaste brands (Apagard Toothpaste by Sangi Co.) was originally developed for NASA and used by astronauts in space! This toothpaste contains a calcium phosphate mineral compound called Nanohydroxyapatite (Nano-HA or nHAP) - a totally natural, bio-compatible substance that mimics the natural calcium hydroxyapatite structure of teeth and bone, penetrating deeper than fluoride to strengthen (and whiten) the tooth more effectively and without the negative effects of fluoride!)

Re-Mineralising & Alkalising - What Does It Mean?

Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration has long divided public opinion with common myths such as "RO water is too pure", "RO leaches minerals from your bones" and "RO removes beneficial minerals". However, Reverse Osmosis technology has been risk-assessed by the WHO and safely used for many decades to supply water to the public in places where fresh water is scarce. For example, many people already know that RO technology is used widely in the Middle East and in sub-marines to turn salty ocean water into fresh drinking water... but did you know Australia also has seven desalination plants that supply water to Sydney in NSW, the Gold Coast in Queensland, Adelaide in South Australia, Dalyson in Victoria, and in Perth, Cape Preston, and Binningup WA? You might already be drinking RO-filtered tap water in your home and not even know it!

The misconception that water can be “too pure” has to do with the pH chemistry of water. Water that is “too pure” is simply water that contains little to no mineral content. The way Reverse Osmosis works is by filtering down to such a fine micron rating (0.0001) that almost all dissolved metals, minerals, and salts are removed - leaving you with incredibly pure water. However, the absence of minerals leaves the water with an acidic pH of around 5-6. Now, it's common knowledge that acidic drinks (such as soft drinks and alcohol) are proven to corrode tooth enamel (perhaps that's where the myth of "RO leaches minerals from your bones" originates), and hence why we don't recommend you drink acidic RO-filtered water straight out of the membrane! Instead, the solution is to use a "post-filter" after the membrane to add the minerals back in and bring the pH and alkalinity back to a non-corrosive state! 

Now, this is where we will myth-bust the idea that "RO removes beneficial minerals". When we consider nutrition, minerals come in two main forms - inorganic minerals and organic mineral compounds. The inorganic form is basically a mineral electrolyte in its raw state (i.e. directly from the earth), but on its own, inorganic minerals are negligibly bioavailable. Plants turn inorganic minerals into organic mineral compounds via photosynthesis - hence why fruits and vegetables are so nutritious! Animals and humans also have the ability to transform inorganic minerals into bio-available organic mineral compounds through the digestive process (i.e. chelation in the stomach). It is commonly known that vitamin C improves the absorption of iron, which is a great example of how chelation works! To give you another perspective, spinach is considered to be one of the most magnesium-rich foods (79mg of magnesium per 100g). When we consider that (as an example) Gold Coast Tap Water contains on average, a mere 4.2mg of magnesium per litre of water - you'd have to drink 18 litres of water to get the same amount of magnesium! 

As with anything we consume, digestion is never 100% efficient! So, the reality is that YES - even though RO removes minerals, and even though the post-filter remineralises the water, and even though the human body has the ability to convert inorganic minerals into organic mineral compounds - you still get more mineral nutrition from eating wholesome pre-digested readily bio-available organic minerals in meats, fruits, and vegetables than you do from drinking water!

How often should you change reverse osmosis water filters?
Filter Replacements & Maintenance Schedule

To maintain the optimum level of filtration year-round, and to ensure you get the maximum life out of your RO membrane (the engine room of this system), we strongly recommend a consistent filter maintenance schedule. 

• Pre-Filters

  Every 6 months you will need to change the pre-filters, which help protect and extend the life of the membrane. Some people neglect to keep up with the maintenance of the pre-filters, thinking that the RO membrane will take care of it! However, the RO membrane is the most delicate and expensive filter within any RO system, so it's worth protecting your investment!
  

  
  The pre-filters thus serve the dual purpose of blocking sediment particles larger than 5 microns and removing chlorine, which both cause damage to the inside of the RO membrane in different ways:

  • Sediment particles physically damage the fine internals, causing micro-tears that allow contaminants through to the "clean" side of the osmotic membrane, as well as blocking up the membrane which can cause the system to stop producing water and force an excessive amount of water to waste. 

  • Chlorine that has been dissolved in water creates corrosive hypochlorous and hydrochloric acids, which dissolve the delicate RO membrane (via a process called "ring chlorination" which disrupts the hydrogen bonding between the membrane's polymer matrix) and allows contaminants to pass through to the "clean side". Because this process occurs gradually over time, most people don't notice the taste of contamination until they change their membrane! 

• Reverse Osmosis Membranes*

Reverse Osmosis membranes filter down to an ultra-fine level of filtration - down to 0.0001 of a micron - which is the reason why RO membranes can filter out minerals, salts, and metals (unlike carbon). Because this level of filtration is so fine, RO membranes do eventually clog up over time. How long you will be able to get out of your RO membrane, depends on the consistency of your membrane pre-filter maintenance, along with the starting quality of your water.

Schematic diagram of the pores in a reverse osmosis membrane.

(Adapted from Geise, G.M., 2021, found in https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abe9741)

• • HARD WATER (water that is full of salts and minerals) takes a bigger toll on RO membranes than water that is SOFT (water with a low Total Dissolved Solids rating).

  • Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland tend to have hard water, along with those whose main source of water comes from a bore.

  • Thus, whilst we have specified a recommended maintenance schedule (below), the quality of the water in the area you live, is ultimately what will determine how long you get out of your RO membrane.

  • *If you are on hard water, at the 2-year mark, simply go for the FULL Replacement Pack (which includes an RO Membrane). Note - cases of extremely hard water may get less than 2 years out of an RO membrane. 

• Post-Filters

These are all filters that go after the RO membrane to buffer the pH back up from an acidic state to an alkaline state, and "perfect" the water for final consumption. Over the course of a year, the diffusion of the alkalising minerals into the water will significantly diminish, whilst the carbon post-filter will eventually exhaust its capacity to adsorb residuals. 

Please see the Recommended Filter Replacement Schedules (per the above) and links to the replacement filters:

HARD WATER - Recommended Filter Replacement Schedule*

• Every 6 Months - Inline Carbon Pre-Filter
• Year 1 - Pre+Post Filter Replacement Pack
• Year 2 - Pre, Post Filters + RO Membrane

MODERATE/SOFT WATER - Recommended Filter Replacement Schedule

• Every 6 Months - Inline Carbon Pre-Filter
• Year 1 - Pre+Post Filter Replacement Pack
• Year 2 - Pre+Post Filter Replacement Pack
• Year 2 - Pre+Post Filter Replacement Pack
• Year 4 - Pre, Post Filters + RO Membrane

***IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WATER SANITATION***

Disclaimer: Do not use or drink microbiologically unsafe water or water of unknown quality without adequate disinfection.

PLEASE NOTE: REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEMS PERFORM OPTIMALLY ON CHLORINATED (MAINS/TOWN) WATER, AS THE PRESENCE OF CHLORINE KILLS THE BACTERIA/FUNGI/YEAST. THEREFORE, REGULAR & CONSISTENT WATER DISINFECTION IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR RAIN/TANK/POTABLE BORE WATER* SOURCES PRIOR TO USING A REVERSE OSMOSIS FILTER SYSTEM. FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY DISINFECT THE WATER WILL RESULT IN BIOFOULING OF THE RO MEMBRANE (I.E. A BACTERIA/FUNGUS/SLIME COLONY WILL START GROWING INSIDE THE MEMBRANE WHICH WILL PUTREFY YOUR FILTER SYSTEM & RENDER THE RO MEMBRANE UNSALVAGEABLE). 

FSA’s Recommendation for Rain/Tank/Potable Bore Water*

If you use Rain/Tank Water 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), please see below our recommended filtration schedule to ensure safe drinking water:

1. External Sediment + Carbon Pre-Filtration to Prevent Tank Clogging + Improve Initial Taste & Odour
2. Tank Dose with HydroSil Ultra 7.5% for Protection Against Bacteria & Viruses
3. Undersink <1 Micron Absolute Filter for Protection against Parasites & (Optional) Coconut Carbon for Improved Final Taste & Odour

Read on for a full explanation of why we recommend this as the minimum standard of filtration for treating Rain/Tank/Potable Bore Water for drinking.

For Protection Against Bacteria/Viruses

Bacteria (such as E.Coli) can colonize in the stagnant water and result in harmful illnesses when consumed. For sanitation against common water-borne bacteria/viruses in rainwater and potable bore water*, we, therefore, recommend dosing your tank with a product such as Hydrosil Ultra 7.5% Water Sanitiser to ensure protection against microbiological contamination/biofouling in your pipework and/or filter system.

HydroSil is a food-grade silver-activated, hydrogen-peroxide based water sanitiser, which acts to oxidise bacteria, yeast, fungi & 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.

Dosage Rate: HydroSil should be dosed at a rate of 200mL per 1000L of water. To scale down to tank size, you will require 20mL per 100L.

Buy Hydrosil Ultra 7.5% Here:

• 2 Litres HydroSil Ultra 7.5%
• 5 Litres HydroSil Ultra 7.5%
• 20 Litres Hydrosil Ultra 7.5%

For Protection Against Parasites/Protozoa

Ingesting waterborne parasites (Protozoan Cysts) such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia (which flourish in raw water sources such as rain water tanks and bores), are a common cause of gastroenteritis. Whilst Chlorine can inactivate Giardia with a moderate dose and contact time, Chlorine has a negligible effect on Cryptosporidium unless dosed in excess of the acceptable Chlorine limit per the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (Version 3.6, pp. 200).

For protection against these common cysts, we, therefore, recommend under sink filtration down to at least 1 Micron (Absolute) or smaller (i.e. with Reverse Osmosis or the Caware 0.1 Micron Absolute 3-in-1 Sediment, Chemical + Bacteria Reduction Filter). Such fine filtration, used along with regular sanitation (i.e. with HydroSil Ultra 7.5%) is a cost-effective and safe drinking water solution for rain water and potable bore water*, and is perfect for casual disinfection requirements such as when travelling in a caravan.

Why UV Disinfection is NOT Recommended for Travelling/Casual Use

You may have read that Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection is one of the safest and most effective methods for treating drinking water, as it has a minimal effect on drinking water’s composition and taste, whilst killing 99.9% of microbiological contaminants. It's true that UV is highly effective at inactivating the DNA cells of water-borne micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses, and is excellent at killing chlorine-resistant parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

However, as effective as they are, please note that UV systems are generally NOT recommended for caravanning and casual use, for the following reasons:

• UV Systems require electrical input and typically need to be left on 24/7 to prevent degradation of the UV lamp (not ideal for infrequent use).
• UV radiation also heats up the UV chamber and, in some cases, requires a constant flow of fresh water and a thermal release valve to release the hot water (which is not ideal on a small water tank).
• UV Systems also contain fragile glass components (not ideal for travelling).