The porous ceramic outer shell of the cartridge is designed to trap water-borne contaminants smaller than 1 micron in size, including rust, sediment, protozoan cysts and pathogenic bacteria. The dual activated carbon and selective carbon resin removes chlorine and reduces trace organic chemicals to acceptable levels. As a consequence you are guaranteed a continuous supply of high quality drinking water.

In an average domestic situation, where the water supply pressure is not
below 2 bars (30 psi), and the municipal water supply is of reasonable
quality, one would expect to see the filtered water flow gradually reduce
towards the six month recommended replacement date.

However the life of the cartridge is dependant upon two variables - the volume of water used - and more commonly, the level of contaminants in the water supply. Higher than average levels of contaminants in the water supply will cause the cartridge to clog more quickly resulting in an early reduction flow.

In some instances this will prove to be a temporary problem caused by one of two reasons:

1. Undesirable plumbing residues being flushed through the pipework, for example in a new house, or where pipework has been altered during the installation of a new kitchen.
2. Local water supply problems ie. alterations to or disturbance of water company pipework, low reservoir levels etc.

Alternatively it may be a continuous problem caused by higher than average sediment levels, rust particles etc. being permanently present in the local water supply. Hopefully inspection of the cartridge will support these observations - clean and white when new, when clogged in all probability you will find it to be a disagreeable yellow-brown colour. Without the filter these probably harmless but certainly undesirable impurities would remain in the drinking water and be ingested.

It should not be necessary (at least in the UK) to clean the cartridge more than once or twice within the 6 month replacement cycle unless sediment levels are unusually high. I should point out that when cleaning the cartridge it helps to vigorously abrade the surface under tepid running water with a soap-free ‘Scotchbrite’ type abrasive scouring pad rather than just wiping it over.

Despite these considerations I do of course appreciate the inconvenience of having to clean the cartridge frequently. If you are not prepared to do so there are two possible solutions::-

1. To install an alternative higher flow ‘TOPAZ Matrikx’ cartridge code X!-25_SM. This cartridge has a more open structure and will clog less quickly while still being effective against a broad range of contaminants.
2. To install an additional pre-filter unit alongside the existing unit fitted with a 1 micron prefilter cartridge code PR1 -25-SM designed to remove the larger particles and extend the life of the 1 micron filter. This unit is available to existing customers at a special price.

If either of these options is of interest to you please contact Neil at our service department on
020 8558 7495

Without doubt slowing of the water flow indicates the effectiveness of the filter cartridge and is proof that the supply water is not ‘clean’. Maintained in accordance with our instructions the Fresh Water Filter system guarantees a drinking water supply of consistently high quality whatever fluctuations occur in the quality of the supply water.