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Why is NSF Certification Important?

Why is NSF certification on your water filters so important? Especially if the filtration I am looking at has the same components and uses the same micron level as the filtration with the NSF certification on it. The reason why it is important is because it provides assurance that a certified product, material, component or service complies with the technical requirements of the referenced standard.

Successful team of doctors, female with the clipboard
NSF Standard 42 covers Point of Use (POU) and Point of Entry (POE) systems designed to reduce specific aesthetic or non-health-related contaminants (such as chlorine, taste and odor, and particulates) that may be present in public or private drinking water. Class assignment for particulate reduction assigns ratings from Class VI, removing particulates ranging 50 micron to Class I, removing contaminants to ½ micron.  Water filtration systems in healthcare locations are recommended to utilize NSF 53 rated systems as they are rated for health concerns. NSF Standard 53 addresses POU and POE systems designed to reduce specific health-related contaminants that may be present in public or private drinking water. Everpure systems come in both NSF 42 and 53 certifications and the ratings can be utilized to determine the correct application dependent on the requirements for the water.  At Filter Pure, we aim to provide the highest quality water for all applications, whether it is regarding taste or health concerns. One of the most widely utilized filters for POU protection in a hospital is the Everpure i2000, EV961222.  The i2000 is rated NSF 53 providing filtration and bacterial protection for the water entering ice machines. This helps to eliminate contamination growth at a central location point in hospitals. The ice from these machines can be used for drinking, injuries, or various other applications used by patients and staff.  By reducing the likelihood of having exposure to contamination, you are providing a greater level of security for the protection of your facility. An additional concern for water protection is the ingredient water being used for drinks and food production in your facility.  Everpure filters are known in the restaurant industry as the filter to use when you want the best water and a guarantee of the quality you will receive.  We recommend the MC2, EV961256 as a great starting point for finding a water filtration solution for your foodservice needs.  The MC2 is rated NSF 53 with a Class I rating for ½-micron particulate reduction.  This gives your facility great tasting and healthy water that you can serve while again providing that extra level of protection for staff and patients. NSF Standards allow the user an objective way to compare water filtration systems. The first thing to consider before selecting a water filtration system is what are your water quality needs and will this system meet those needs.  In some cases, information about the quality of water coming into the facility will be required and that is when a water test is utilized to isolate variables that may be causing a problem in your water supply.  Filter capacity and flow rates are taken into consideration during sizing as well, since over-sized filters will incur increased cost and under-sizing the filter will reduce the life of equipment causing additional problems from poor performance.  For more information on system sizing or the filtration in use at your facility give us a call at 1-800-942-7873 and we will be glad to review your equipment to ensure you are getting the appropriate level of filtration for your facility.

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What Does the NSF Label on My Pentair/Everpure Water Filter Mean?

 Millions of people take the safety of their food, water and consumer products for granted on a daily basis. Why? Because of three letters: NSF. Founded in 1944 as the National Sanitation Foundation, the foundation changed it’s name to NSF International in 1990 as they expanded services beyond sanitation and into global markets. NSF certification is your key to making sure that the products you use meet strict standards for public health protection. Choosing a product certified by NSF lets you know the company complies with strict standards and procedures imposed by NSF.

There are important reasons to look for NSF certification when purchasing a water filter;

  • Performance claims may be based on internal testing only.
  • Sometimes stated capacities are misleading.
  • In capacity claims it’s not always clear what percentage of chemical contaminants are actually reduced.

NSF Certification ensures that:

  • The contaminant reduction claims certified are true and accurate.
  • The materials of construction do not add anything unwanted to the water such as lead.
  • The system is structurally sound.
  • Advertising claims are true and accurate.

From extensive product testing and material analyses to unannounced plant inspections, every aspect of a product’s development is thoroughly evaluated before it can earn our certification. Most importantly, NSF certification is not a one-time event, but involves regular on-site inspections of manufacturing facilities and regular re-testing of products to ensure that they continue to meet the same high standards required to maintain certification over time. If for any reason a product fails to meet one or more certification criteria, NSF will take enforcement actions to protect you, including product recall, public notification or de-certification. If you have any questions about the quality of the filter that you are currently using and whether or not that filter has an NSF certification please ask us about your filter  below or call our team at 800-942-7873.

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Water Hazards in Building Systems

NSF pushes forward with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) training to reduce risk of microbial, chemical and physicals hazards in building water systems.   

Every year, tens of thousands of preventable injuries and deaths are caused by exposure to microbial, chemical, and physical hazards from building water systems. Utilizing HACCP guidelines to building water systems builds a framework for identifying potential hazards and specifies measures for control to ensure building’s water supply safety. HACCP is a program that provides the necessary training to understand best practices procedure for maintaining a facility water supply.  Filter Pure Systems supports the continued focus by NSF to provide guidelines to promote safe and healthy water.

When working with our Healthcare facilities, we verify with them the level of NSF certification needed by water systems to remove designated contaminants.  NSF 42 certification for water filtration covers systems designed to reduce Aesthetic or non-health related contaminants.  These contaminants include chlorine, taste and odor, and particulates that may be present in public and private drinking water. In the water supply for a hospital, this is not enough protection for the immunocompromised patients.  We recommend utilizing NSF 53 standards at point of use sources for patients that may be susceptible to microbiological exposure. NSF 53 systems are certified to reduce specific health-related contaminants. These contaminants may be microbiological (including cyst and legionella), chemical (including disinfection byproducts, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides), and particulates.  The first step, we take in securing the quality of our Healthcare facility is to ensure we have a solid foundation of filtration to protect the staff and patients. Using the industry-leading brand Everpure allows us the flexibility to meet the needs of our clients without sacrificing quality or reliability. Let us help you establish a guideline of how to secure the quality of your water from Point of Use to Point of Entry systems.  To view more information on the HACCP training program, please visit nsf.org. For more information or to discuss your current water filtration system, please contact our Health Care & Lodging Specialist, Todd Leach. Click here to ask us a question!