UP Logo  
Home    Products & Accessories 
Technology About Us   Contact Us FAQ
Home

Products & Accessories
  
Technology

About Us

Contact Us

FAQ


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQs by Topics

Water Quality

•  My tap water is already safe and clean. Why does it still need to be filtered?
•  Are there contaminants in our water? What do UltraPure and Watts water filters remove from our water?

Water Filter
•  What are Point-of-Use (POU) and Point-of-Entry (POE) water filters?
•  What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)?
•  What is Ultrafiltration membrane?
•  What is Activated Carbon?
•  Do UltraPure's range of water filters use any chemicals for filtration?

Maintenance
•  Why is there cloudy water coming out from my new filter?
•  How often do I need to change the filter cartridges?
•  Why is there a need to replace the filter cartridges every 6 to 12 months?
•  What should I do with a used cartridge?
   

Q: My tap water is already safe and clean. Why does it still need to be filtered?
A: The quality of your tap water may not be as clean as you think. Rivers, lakes, streams and reservoir catchment areas are increasingly being contaminated by industrial waste and environmental pollution. Also, faced with dwindling supplies of fresh, pure water, many cities have turned to using recycled water, including the waste that is flushed down your toilet and then chemically treated and used in your drinking water supply.

Water treatment plants generally try to make your water safe, but it is not possible to get rid of all contaminants. Enroute to your home or building, the water passes through hundreds of kilometres of aging water pipes and infrastructure and may absorb impurities along the way.

So why take the risk and drink unfiltered water? Buy your UltraPure/ Watts water filter today!

Back to Top


Q: Are there contaminants in our water? What do UltraPure and Watts water filters remove from our water?
A: All water contain some amount of contaminants depending on its source. Contamination occurs through industrial and agricultural pollution, chemicals and other environmental waste. For example:

- Sediment, sand, silt, rust and scale particles which may come from the hundreds of kilometers of aging pipes and infrastructure that transport water from the treatment plant to your tap.

- Bacteria (including E.coli, Legionella, Salmonella), algae, fungi and cysts (including Cryptosporidium and Giardia), whose presence in water indicates contamination with sewage, faeces, human and animal waste.

- Heavy metals (including cadmium, copper, lead, mercury and zinc) and Volatile Organic Compounds (including pesticides, benzene and toluene) caused by air emissions from mining and industrial plants, accidental leakage or illegal dumping of waste by irresponsible organizations, and even not getting rid of everyday items in your house properly, like paint, cleaning solvents and motor oil.

- Chlorine from the water treatment plant, and its by-products like Trihalomethanes (THMs) which may increase your risk of getting cancer.

UltraPure and Watts water filters effectively remove all these contaminants, providing you and your family with safe and clean water.

Back to Top

Q: What are Point-of-Use (POU) and Point-of-Entry (POE) water filters?
A: Point-of-Use (POU) water filters are connected to a single tap, like the kitchen tap at home, in the office pantry, or individual taps in a restaurant or food court. They filter water at a specific tap, supplying clean water for drinking, cooking and washing. Counter-top filters and Under-sink filters are POU water filters.

Point-of-Entry (POE) water filters are connected after the main water supply. They filter and supply clean water to every tap in the entire house, office, factory, restaurant and food court.

Where possible, instal both POU and POE water filters for double protection.

Back to Top

Q: What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)?
A: Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a process by which water molecules are forced through a 0.0001 micron semi-permeable membrane by water pressure. Long sheets of membrane are sandwiched together and rolled up around a hollow central tube in spiral fashion, commonly referred to as spiral wound membrane. RO membranes are available in different sizes for processing different quantities of water.

The RO membrane is housed in a housing so that pressure can be maintained on its surface. This pressure forces the water through the membrane, separating it from the unwanted substances like dissolved chemicals, heavy metals, suspended solids, arsenic, salts and other impurities. These unwanted substances are diverted to a waste drain so that they do not build up in the system, thus keeping the RO membrane clean.   

Back to Top
 
Q: What is Ultrafiltration membrane?
A: Hollow fibre membranes are made from polymeric material and resemble straight lengths of noodles which are hollow on the inside. On the surface are very tiny holes or pores which run over the entire length of the noodles. These pores, which are not visible to the naked eye, can only be seen using high powered special microscope. The pores of the Ultrafiltration membrane range from 0.01 to 0.1 micron in size. For comparison, the full-stop at the end of this sentence is 500 microns.

The pores have the ability to stop the passage of particles, turbidity and pathogens such as bacteria, algae, cysts and parasites but allow water and natural, healthy essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium to flow through. The result is a consistent supply of high quality treated water. 

Back to Top

Q: What is Activated Carbon?
A: Activated carbon is activated charcoal or coal which has been processed to make it extremely porous and thus to have a very large surface area available for adsorption. It removes heavy metals, hormones, volatile organic compounds and chlorine, providing you and your family with clean water that eliminates odour and improves taste.

Back to Top

Q: Do UltraPure's range of water filters use any chemicals for filtration?
A: No, there are no chemicals used in UltraPure's range of water filters.

Back to Top

Q: Why is there cloudy water coming out from my new filter?
A: The cartridge in every new filter or after a new cartridge change, is full of air. As water flows into the cartridge, small air bubbles are trapped and then released, resulting in the cloudy water that you see.

Before first use, run water for 5 to 10 minutes in filtered water position to flush out the air bubbles in the filter cartridge. Water filter is fully flushed when the water level in the housing does not drop after tap is turned off. You may use this flushed water to water plants and do other household chores.

Back to Top

Q: How often do I need to change the filter cartridge?
A: Several factors determine how long the filter cartridge will last. These include:
- Quality of your municipal water
- Levels of sediment and other undesirable substances in the water in your area/location. They can range from aging water pipes and infrastructure to pollutants in the environment.
- Amount of water you use

You should change your filter cartridge when the water flow drops or at least every 6 to 12 months.

To order your replacement cartridges, you may either email us at up_sales@ultrapure.com.sg call us at (+65) 64403680 or fax us at (+65) 64403679.

Back to Top

Q: Why is there a need to replace the filter cartridges every 6 to 12 months?
A: All filters have a limited lifespan. Contaminants are either trapped in the pores of the filter or adhere to the surface. Eventually, the filters become clogged with debris and are no longer effective in filtering water. When this occurs, bacteria may grow and multiply on the filter itself, especially activated carbon filters as they offer micro-organisms a favourable area for growth on their outer surface. This could then find its way back into the system and pollute the water. In order to prevent this, it is advisable to replace the filter cartridges every 6 to 12 months.

Back to Top

Q: What should I do with a used cartridge?
A: You can dispose of the used cartridge with your household refuse without any problem. Alternatively, return it to us when you purchase a new cartridge. We will dispose of the used cartridge in an environmentally friendly manner.

Back to Top





Footer