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The Flint, Michigan Water Crisis! What water filters really take out lead!

If you had to take a guess of where the above water came from where would you choose?  A place far away from here?  Would you be surprised if I told you this water came from here in the USA?  The above water is from Flint, Michigan.  This is a story that has made headlines across the country and has even started trending in social media with #flintwatercrisis and #flintcontaminatedwater.  Celebrities and others have generously donated money and bottled water to help those in need.  This water crisis has officially been declared a state of emergency. We won’t get into the history of what happened in detail but to summarize here is what is going on in Flint, Michigan.

  • In 2014 the city switches its main water supply from Detroit’s system to the Flint River in order to save money.
  • People living in the area begin to complain about the taste, odor and color of the water.  Others begin to report rashes and show concerns about bacteria
  • In January 2015 Detroit offers to reconnect the water waiving the $4 million connection fee.
  • The city declines the offer
  • In February 2015 a water test is shown that water from one person’s home has 104 parts per billion of lead.
  • More tests are shown to have high levels of lead.
  • Doctors begin to report that children are being treated for lead poisoning.
  • Residents have been advised to NOT drink from the tap water.
  • Flint, Michigan officially declares a State of Emergency.

Dealing with contaminated water is something Filter Pure Systems and Pentair/Everpure have always been prepared for.  Our products are designed to make water drinkable and safe to use for your kitchen equipment.  On January 19th, 2016 the WQA , Water Quality Association Addressed the Drinking Water Crisis in Flint, Michigan offering facts and tips about treating for lead contamination and noted that ;

“Lead (Pb) has been identified as the waterborne contaminant of primary concern for Flint’s residents. To minimize the presence of contaminants such as lead, which may enter the water after it has left a municipal treatment facility, WQA recommends water treatment equipment that has been certified by an ANSI (American National Standards Institute)-accredited certification body. Such accredited entities include WQA’s Gold Seal Product Certification Program. Filter Pure Systems offers and recommends the following Everpure filters and systems that meet these criteria in the removal of lead and are perfect for your under the kitchen sink (POU) point of use application;

The original POU, (Point of Use) Everpure OW Family for lead reduction;

The OW200L (P/N EV9619-01) has a rated capacity of 480 gallons. Its overall dimensions are 17″H x 3.25″ diameter. Its service flow rate is at maximum 0.5 gpm. Rated NSF 53 for Lead reduction. The OW2-PLUS (P/N EV9634-01) and the OW4-PLUS (P/N EV9635-01) are essentially the same as the OW200L. The only difference is their capacity rating and size. The OW2-PLUS is rated at 1,000 gallons and 10.25″H x 3.25″ Diameter. The OW4-PLUS is rated at 2,000 gallons and 14.5″H x 3.25″ diameter. But unlike the OW200L, they both contain a KDF media that can remove lead to below the Federal Action Level of 10 ppb. All the OW replacement water filter cartridges are NSF Certified under NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53,

The New 2016 POU, (Point of Use) Line of High Capacity Lead Reduction Water Filter Cartridges, the Everpure FC-L;

 

Pentair is pleased to announce the launch of a new family of Everpure-branded high capacity lead reduction cartridges. The FC-L product line is available in 4- and 7-cartridge sizes, with and without scale inhibitor. The FC-L line offers 0.5 micron filtration, a 1.8 gpm flow rate per 4-size cartridge, a 2.7 gpm flow rate per 7-size cartridge, and proprietary Fibredyne™ II technology for superior chlorine reduction and dirt-holding capabilities plus lead reduction. Additionally, all FC-L cartridges/systems are certified against:

– NSF Standard No. 42 – Aesthetic Effects for Bacteriostatic Effects, Chemical Reduction for Taste and Odor and Chlorine, and Mechanical Filtration – Nominal Particulate Class 1.

– NSF Standard No. 53 – Health Effects for Chemical Reduction for Lead, and Mechanical Filtration for Cyst.

The following reflects list pricing for the Everpure 2-HL, 4-HL, 4FC-L, 4FC-LS, 7FC-L and 7FC-LS Cartridges:

Lead 

Reduction 

2016

Part Number 

Description  

Capacity 

List Price 

EV9693-10 4FC-L Cartridge

4900 gal

$128.00

EV9693-16  4FC-LS Cartridge  

4900 gal

$134.00

EV9693-40 7FC-L Cartridge

7400 gal

$146.00

EV9693-46 7FC-LS Cartridge  

7400 gal

$168.00

EV9634-26 2H-L Cartridge

750 gal

$79.10

EV9635-26 4H-L Cartridge

1000 gal

$84.50

Need more information on the any of these water filters or systems that will take the lead out of your water? Email us at info@filterpure.com or  call our team at 1-800-942-7873 and if you would like more information about how to help the people of Flint http://time.com/4190562/flint-michigan-water-how-help/

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Filter Pure Systems, Inc. to support the 2016 IPPExpo,come see us in booth A3224 !

Come see us in booth # A3224 as exhibitors at this year’s International Production & Processing Expo, January 26-28, 2016 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia to learn more about protecting your livestock and equipment! Water is a critical nutrient for livestock and poultry. As with feed ingredients, livestock water should meet the nutritional needs of the animal. An adequate and safe water supply is essential to the production of healthy livestock and poultry. Substances that originate on livestock farms and often contaminate water supplies include nitrates, bacteria, organic materials, and suspended solids. A high level of suspended solids and an objectionable taste, odor or color in water can cause animals to drink less than they should. Filtered water also protects equipment.  For instance with poultry, it means that the drinker nipples do not clog or drip so the birds get water but the litter under the drinkers remains dry. This means, of course, that flocks grow rapidly due to increased hydration and fewer pathogens in the litter. Filtered water means less frequent clogs and better operation of evaporative cooling systems and therefore a healthier environment for the flock. Starting with your specific water test and problem, Filter Pure can work with you to craft a water treatment solution that will insure the quality of water that you want delivered to your livestock. As a Pentair Industrial Distributor we offer a full line of Pentair Industrial and Pentek water filter and treatment solutions including filtration, softening and reverse osmosis.
At FilterPure Systems, Inc., our experts will work with you to manage your supply of filtration products to ensure that your animals have clean and healthy water.

  • One to two week average lead time for cartridges and bags
  • Three to six weeks average lead time for larger parts
  • Rush ordering is available!
  • In stock parts may be shipped OVERNIGHT upon availability.
  • Expedited shipping is also available for customized orders.

Contact us today to place an order or email your inquiry to info@filterpure.com. For immediate assistance, call us at 1-800-942-7873!

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Can water filters help prevent breast cancer?

Could something as simple as putting an activated carbon based water filter on your kitchen sink prevent or lower the risk of breast cancer for you and your family? Thousands of American municipalities add chlorine to their drinking water to get rid of microbes and kill bacteria in our drinking water.  But this inexpensive and highly effective disinfectant also interacts with organic compounds to create trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). THMs and HAAs are formed by reactions between chlorine and organic material such as humic acids and fulvic acids (both generated from the decay of organic matter) to create halogenated organics. —which when ingested encourage the growth of free radicals that can destroy or damage vital cells in the body. Recent studies have shown that chlorine and its by-products increase the risk of developing malignant melanoma, bowel, breast and bladder cancer. Researchers have found links between common chlorine disinfectant and breast cancer, which affects one out of every eight American women. A recent study conducted in Hartford, Connecticut found that women with breast cancer have 50-60 percent higher levels of organochlorines (chlorine by-products) in their breast tissue than cancer-free women. The fact of the matter is that if you live anywhere where the water is being treated with Chlorine you can inexpensively remove the risk of your exposure to it by installing a carbon-based filter containing activated carbon, which absorbs chlorine and other contaminants. Activated carbon surface properties are both hydrophobic and oleophilic; that is, they “hate” water but “love” oil. When flow conditions are suitable, dissolved chemicals in water flowing over the carbon surface “stick” to the carbon in a thin film while the water passes on. This process is called adsorption. As a result of the adsorption process, activated carbon is an effective method in removing chlorine and it’s by-products (TTHM’s) and volatile organic compounds (carbon based VOC’s), both, man-made and naturally occurring. Activated carbon is a natural material derived from bituminous coal, lignite, wood, coconut shell etc., activated by steam and other means and each one have different adsorption properties (e.g. bituminous carbon for high chlorine reduction capacity). Some manufacturers use various blends of carbon to achieve specific water quality and contaminants reduction (e.g. coconut shell carbon for “sweet taste”).

Everpure has an entire line of filters containing Micro-Pure® carbon designed to remove chlorine and chlorine by products including THMs generating premium quality drinking water for your home and office. Filter Pure recommends the Everpure OW, (Office Water) Family of water filters. Their unique filter blend uses activated carbon to reduce chlorine taste and odor and offensive contaminants down to ½ micron in size even taking out water borne cysts such as cryptosporidium and giardia. All the OW replacement water filter cartridges are NSF Certified under NSF/ANSI Standards 42 and 53, the OW200L (P/N EV9619-01) , OW2-PLUS (P/N EV9634-01) , and OW4-PLUS (P/N EV9635-01). We also carry the 4C cartridge (EV9600-00) and new line of Everpure (Fibredyne II)  FC-L cartridges. For more information about the Pentair/Everpure line of premium drinking water filter cartridges for your home or office, contact us at 1-800-942-7873 or click on the “Live Help ONLINE” link on the left of your screen.

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Military Installation Contamination

The military has documented that there are several bases on the NPL (National Priorities List) that have water contamination issues, for example: Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, Jacksonville NAS in Florida and Camp Lejeune Military Reservation in North Carolina.

The different types of contaminates that have been found include solvents, metals (such as lead,) cadmium, pesticide residue and even military substances such as nerve agents and unexploded ordnance. Petrochemical storage tanks could be old and rusted so they can be leaking as well.

The most discussed base is Camp Lejeune. The dumping began as early as the 1950’s. This is before the EPA was enforcing standards on bases. Not only military personnel but civilians in the surrounding areas complained about the taste and odor of the water. Then the serious issues began when people were getting violently ill.  Local health officials were treating individuals with various maladies from gastrointestinal problems to blood disorders. One of the causes was Groundwater Leaching. This is an extreme broad based environmental concern where the water from the rain seeps into the ground and can dissolve chemicals, carrying them into the ground water supply. Adding to these issues was that these areas have special environmental sensitivity, such as wetlands, natural habitat for endangered and other wildlife species. As the ground or well water is pumped for consumption, we need to make sure that it gets filtered correctly to control, diminish and eliminate the different contaminates. The DOD has spent approximately $42 billion in environmental restoration over the past 10 years. They are dedicated to the cleanup of nearly 20,000 active sites that have been identified by the National Priorities List that is regulated under the Federal Superfund Law. So what solutions can Filter Pure provide to help ensure safe potable water? There are different types of equipment and filters that can reduce or eliminate toxins and contaminates to protect and sanitize the water you use. From oil absorbing cartridges, ultrafiltration to ozone, UV and activated carbon; these products can be used individually or combined together. First thing to know is what is in your water? A water sample is crucial in defining what the different levels of elements are so that we can start to provide you with solutions created specifically for your needs. To learn more about Filter Pure or how we can help with your filtration needs please contact us at 800-942-7873. 

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Don’t Forget About the O-Ring!

First, what is an O-ring? An O-ring is a doughnut, or torus shaped seal typically used to prevent the passing of air or fluid. O-rings are used to keep fluid or air IN or OUT of a defined space. This device helps to keep the water tight or air tight integrity of a filter housing or filter application. O-rings come in a wide variety of sizes and different types of materials; Types of Material

  • Buna-N®
  • Ethylene, Propylene
  • Silicon Encapsulated with FEP, an FDA-approved material
  • Silicone (Solid)
  • Teflon® (Solid)
  • Teflon® Encapsulated with FEP
  • Viton® (Solid)

    To extend the o-ring’s effectiveness there are some things you can do: Remove and inspect the o-ring at every filter change or every time the housing is opened, as well as applying the manufacturer’s approved lubricant. The protectant/gel, usually made of silicon is inexpensive and is easy to apply. If there are signs of any wear or improper form of the o-ring, the o-ring must be replaced immediately prior to restarting the filter system.    The life of an o-ring varies based on how you take care of it and what it is made of. It is very important to your operation to make sure you have the proper o-ring for your filtration application. If you have any questions on changing out your o-rings or whether you are using the proper o-ring for your system, I invite you to submit a question below or call our team at 1-800-942-7873. Click here to ask us a question!

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Confused About Carbon?

Confused about which carbon filter to use? Don’t worry! You’re not alone. Here are a few choices when considering which carbon filter to get. Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) cartridges effectively reduce unwanted tastes, odor and chlorine taste & odor from your drinking water. They are designed to allow maximum contact between the water and carbon, ensuring maximum adsorption. The cartridges pictured to the left are the Pentek GAC cartridges. The construction of these cartridges allow water to enter at one end and pass through the entire length of the carbon bed before exiting the other end of the cartridge, while an internal expansion pad minimizes channeling or bypass. Before the water exits the cartridge, a 20-micron post filter helps reduce carbon fines and other suspended particles from the filtered water. The post-filter is permanently fastened to an innovative support basket ensuring that it is firmly secured and eliminating any potential for bypass. GAC Series cartridges are available in a variety of sizes and flow rates, and effectively provide good general-purpose drinking water filtration.     Carbon block cartridges are manufactured using a patented process that yields a cartridge with a nominal 5-micron filtration rating, high dirt-holding capacity. A high porosity design helps prevent the cartridge from plugging before its adsorption capacity is exhausted, maximizing the utilization of the carbon while maintaining low pressure drop. The cartridges pictured to the left are Pentek’s EP carbon block filters. They are protected by Endurawrap®, a uniquely formulated polyolefin bilaminate pre-filter, designed to significantly increase the useful life of the cartridge by trapping sediment that typically plugs carbon block cartridges. EP Series cartridges are manufactured entirely from FDA-compliant materials making them an ideal choice for a wide range of residential, food service, commercial and industrial applications.       Coconut based carbon block cartridges are highly effective at reducing unwanted taste & odor and chlorine taste & odor from potable drinking water, and they are equally effective at reducing fine sediment. Coconut based carbon block cartridges are manufactured using a patented process and are made from a water-washed, coconut-carbon formulation. This process and media yield a cartridge with high chlorine taste & odor reduction capacity. The cartridges pictured to the left are Pentek’s CEP-10E and the CCBC-10. They are protected by Endurawrap®, a uniquely formulated polyolefin bilaminate pre-filter, designed to significantly increase the useful life of the cartridge by trapping sediment that typically plugs carbon block cartridges. They are an ideal choice for a wide range of residential, food service, commercial and industrial applications. They also make excellent polishing filters or pre-filters in applications requiring fine filtration and high capacity. For more information about which carbon is best for you, call us at 800-942-7873!

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News From Pentair's Water Initiatives

More than one billion people around the world, most of them in developing nations, lack access to safe water. The result is that preventable waterborne diseases continue to be a leading cause of illness and death globally. Every day, approximately 25,000 people, mainly children in developing countries, die from preventable waterborne diseases, according to the World Health Organization. Pentair has been in search of a solution that not only brings safe water to communities in need, but also ensures that the solution is sustainable at the community level, taking into consideration the complex economic, cultural and geographical constraints that need to be addressed. The solution also needs to have validating methods and standard practices that can be replicated around the world. To accomplish this, the Pentair Foundation funded a multi-year research program in remote Colón, Honduras. The results of the five year program and the impact on the lives of the people in Colón have been profound. The results demonstrated that sustainable access to safe water and adequate sanitation can be provided cost-effectively, and that the health and welfare of the recipients can be significantly improved. Additionally, to ensure that safe treated water continues to be available beyond Pentair’s initial funding period, a microenterprise business model was established, where the local community owns the water treatment systems and users pay their communities a nominal fee for potable water. The individual user fee is established by the local community to cover the ongoing operation and maintenance of their system. Once installed, the system costs pennies per person per day to operate. Leveraging this success, Pentair is partnering around the world by putting its grants, technology and talent to work for communities in need of clean drinking water. By engaging community partners and equipping them with our extensive product portfolio and technical water distribution systems expertise, we are measurably improving water safety and sanitation worldwide. Understanding that everyone’s efforts add up to more effective answers, Pentair is leading through partnership to find a sustainable solution to the global water crisis. Pentair invites others to join in working toward a world where everyone has access to quality water supply. We are making our findings and models publicly available to other organizations and municipalities interested in replicating these cost-effective methods. By turning industry insights into collaborative proactive plans and on-the-ground tools, we are confident that even the most challenging issues can be solved when we unite around smart ideas. Reference: Pentair.com