Sediment filters capture dirt, rust, silt, dust and other particulate matter from water. Sediment filters are usually used at the water input to protect carbon, KDF or other filters from contamination and clogging. Sediment filters may also be used at other stages to protect filters from becoming fouled or clogged from carbon or other fine dust particles that may be released from GAC or similar filters that utilize granulated media.

The longest lasting most effective sediment filters use pleated polypropylene or cellulose and polyester, while inexpensive sediment filters use a wound or spun mesh nylon. Pleated designs, due to their larger surface area and low water resistance result in a low water pressure drop, providing higher flow rates and greater filtration capacity than spun filters. Pleated designs can often be cleaned and reused.

All OPUS drinking water systems utilize an initial horizontally mounted Omnipure 5 micron sediment filter. An additional 1 micron pleated sediment filter is placed after the KDF/GAC and fluoride filters to ensure no dust or carbon particles (fines) can reach the final .2 micron Ultra Filter in the Ultrapure and Aquapure models, or the 1 micron Omnipure carbon block filter in the Advantage and Alkaplus models.

Activated carbon, including granulated activated carbon (GAC) carbon block and catalytic activated carbon

Activated carbon can be made from coal, wood, or coconut shell. Coconut shell is the most expensive and effective form. Carbon is “activated” by adding a positive charge, which enhances the adsorption and reduction of contaminants which have a negative charge. The three forms of activated carbon used in water filtration systems are granulated activated carbon (GAC), activated carbon block, and catalytic carbon.

Activated carbon removes impurities, chemicals and contaminants from water through adsorption and a process called catalytic reduction. Contaminants removed include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), herbicides, pesticides, chlorine (which is why water tastes better when filtered with activated carbon), chloramine, radon, and most man-made chemicals.

Activated carbon is not effective at removing heavy metals, nitrites, nitrates, dissolved inorganic contaminants or sediment. This is why sediment filters should precede carbon filters, and why KDF media is combined with activated carbon in many quality filtration systems.

Granulated Activated Carbon (GAC) is more effective when combined with KDF Media as there is a synergy of the two filtration medias that results in superior filtration to either media when used alone. A pound of activated carbon has a surface area of over 125 acres and can adsorb thousands of chemicals.

Carbon block filters can be manufactured to a smaller micron rating than GAC, providing enhanced contaminant and sediment removal without the risk of carbon fines clogging subsequent filters or ending up in your water. Flushing GAC filters is required prior to consuming drinking water that has been filtered with GAC filtration.

Catalytic carbon, a new advanced activated carbon product, is designed to adsorb chloramines, an alternative to chlorine designed to inhibit the formation of carcinogenic trihalomethanes (THMs) caused by the interaction of chlorine with organic plant materials.

Multi-level Carbon Block Water Filtration Products (Multi-Pure, etc)

Some granulated activated carbon and carbon block filtration systems are sold through multi level marketing, including Multi-Pure, and similar products. Those that understand the financial structure of multi level companies (i.e. Usana, Shaklee, Quixtar, Nikken, Multi-Pure, etc.), know that all multi-level products are grossly overpriced.

Multi-Pure is an overpriced carbon block filtration system hidden in an attractive stainless steel housing. The stainless steel housing must be worth over $300.00, because the carbon block filter installed is worth less than $50.00. There are thousands of “independent” distributors and many online companies marketing Multi-Pure, who are brainwashed by the company to believe that these products are worth the incredibly inflated prices charged.  Independent Multi-Pure distributors will promote the NSF Certification, which any company can have if they want to spend the money for the certification. A single stage carbon block filtration system cannot compare to a multi stage design, and no carbon only design removes fluoride. Plus, water stored in a stainless steel container absorbs nickel, a heavy metal that is more difficult for the body to eliminate than aluminum. For those interested in this type of design, OPUS can provide a product with similar or superior specifications for less than $150.00. For those looking for a proprietary design, Aquasana is a reasonably priced system that is superior to Multi-Pure for those that want a system that does not remove fluoride, at a fraction of the price, and Aquasana features superior lead removal.

Comparison: Using Opus Healthy Water Systems vs. Multi-Pure Carbon Block and MLM Systems

• Opus systems remove heavy metals and fluoride. Multi-Pure and other systems that use only carbon block cannot remove heavy metals or fluoride. Multi-Pure is only certified to remove chlorine and chloramines, particles, taste and odor.

• Multi-Pure and similar carbon block designs contain NO KDF MEDIA. When KDF Media is combined with carbon it significantly extends the life of granulated activated carbon (GAC), controls and inhibits the growth of microorganisms, and outperforms silver-impregnated carbon filters.

• Carbon Block Filters are used in all OPUS Healthy Water Systems as a final taste, odor, lead, cyst, polishing filter. Carbon block filters are not recommended for use alone, unless water is free of fluoride and the user replaces the filter often.

• Multi-Pure and other companies that market their products through “independent distributors,” or similar multi level or network marketing methods can be very convincing by stressing NSF certification or other features, however all systems marketed using this method are an average of 4 to 8 times more expensive than similar designs marketed through normal retail channels.

Are Opus system NSF certified? No. NSF is an organization that will certify any water treatment product if you choose to send your product to them and pay their fee. As Opus already uses components that are NSF or Water Quality Association Certified, there is little benefit to obtaining this certification,  and it would likely lead to higher retail pricing.

Water softeners are large floor standing units that use ion exchange resins in the form of beads to exchange hard minerals, (usually calcium and magnesium) with soft minerals including sodium or potassium. As the softener is used, the sodium or potassium that coat the ion resin beads is replaced with calcium and magnesium. Eventually the resin beads become saturated with magnesium and calcium, requiring a backwash to remove the calcium and magnesium that has saturated the ion resin beads, and then a regeneration process where the ion resin beads are saturated with sodium or potassium so that the ion exchange cycle can continue.

To regenerate the ion resin beads, sodium or potassium crystals are added to a tank that creates a brine that through a regeneration and backwash process donates sodium or potassium to the ion resin while washing the absorbed calcium and magnesium down the drain.  Some softeners feature a programmable timer that regenerates the ions and remove the absorbed hard minerals at prescribed intervals, while more modern units sense when the ion resin requires regeneration, automatically backwashing and regenerating when needed.

Hard water is usually found in deep wells, and is rarely a problem with municipal water supplies. Due to the excessively high levels of calcium (lime) and magnesium, hard water causes mineral build-up in showerheads, dishwashers, pipes, and water heaters, reducing water flow. In addition, soap and detergent lathering is reduced causing less effective cleaning, leading to soap scum on glasses and dishes and lime deposits on bathroom fixtures, toilets and bathtubs. Soft water feels more slippery, creates more lather with soaps and shampoos, and makes it more difficult to wash soaps and shampoos from your hair and skin.

The majority of water softeners use sodium chloride, however many new water softener manufacturers offer potassium chloride as an alternative. While water with potassium is safer than water with sodium, excess potassium can also be dangerous. Drinking, making coffee or juice, or cooking with softened water is not recommended.

The high sodium or potassium content of softened water can harm grass or vegetation and cause more frequent regenerations due to the depletion of the sodium or potassium crystals due to the high water volumes. More frequent regenerations also result in higher water softener operational costs, as the sodium or potassium crystals will need to be added more often. Softened water should only be used for washing and cleaning.

As the level of sodium is higher in softened water, it should not be consumed by those with hypertension (high blood pressure), congestive heart failure or kidney disease. While water softeners should only be used to treat microbioligically safe water, softened water is not recommended for drinking without removing the potassium or sodium that has been added. The only effective method of removing potassium or sodium from softened water is by distillation or reverse osmosis.

Originally developed by Englehard Corp. (purchased by BASF), ATS Media removes lead and heavy metals. As with KDF media, there is a synergistic effect when ATS is combined with activated carbon as the two materials result in an effective method of reducing contaminants, heavy metals and chlorine. The Aquasana AQ-4000 drinking water system is the only major manufacturer that uses this media. As this system does not remove healthful minerals or affect pH, it provides health advantages when compared to RO or steam distillation.

While the Aquasana system is effective and a good value, the filters must be changed every six months, the media only removes 40-60% of the fluoride, and no faucet is included for sink installation. If you want to mount this system under the sink you must purchase a kit that includes a mounting bracket and faucet. The design does not allow for the addition of alkalizing and mineral enhancing bioceramic media, additional fluoride filtration, or UV-C for the sterilization of water from microbiologically unsafe water sources. Note that the Aquasana whole house (Point of Entry) system uses KDF Media.

One of the simplest methods of purifying water, distilling is the process of boiling water into steam, and then condensing the steam back into water. As gases (including chlorine) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be re-condensed back into the drinking water, most steam distillers use a carbon post filter which adsorbs gases. It is crucial that the carbon filter be replaced regularly, as the filters that are included with most distillers are small, and can easily become saturated with toxins. When a carbon filter has reached the saturation point, toxins and bacteria can be passed into the distilled water.

Distillation removes heavy metals, micro-organisms, poisons, bacteria, contaminants, sediment, minerals and viruses. Distillation can not remove substances with lower boiling points than water including oils, petroleum and alcohol.  The boiling chamber collects these contaminants and requires regular cleaning.

Steam distilled water systems utilize either a plastic or stainless steel holding tank to hold the distilled water. Most systems have a spigot that is used to fill large plastic bottles for water storage. Glass bottles are preferred, but they are hard to find, very heavy, and dangerous if dropped. The boiling tank must be drained regularly, and depending on the model, cleaned every few weeks to remove scale deposits. Some models offer optional expensive auto drain kits that eliminate the need to clean the boiling tank where the impurities collect. Other options include pump kits and pressure tanks that allow steam distilled water to be connected to a kitchen mounted faucet for on demand water.

Quality steam distillers are expensive, time consuming and costly to maintain, with electrical costs ranging from $.20 to $.40 per gallon, comparable to replacement filter costs in the best OPUS Healthy Water System models. If scale is allowed to build up on the heating element, the efficiency of the unit will be affected resulting in higher operating costs.

Proponents of distilled water advertise that distilled water is the most natural, purest form of water. However, distilled water cannot be found in nature. Rain, technically created by distillation, is the result of the evaporation and recondensing of water. However rain, as it travels through the atmosphere (or down mountain streams), quickly absorbs minerals, airborne contaminants, and other substances. Similar to reverse osmosis, steam distilled water is “dead” water, as it contains no minerals.

Distilled water is particularly corrosive. With no minerals to give the water pH balance, distilled water acts like a magnet, absorbing chemicals (phthalates and bisphenols) from plastics, nickel from stainless steel, aluminum from aluminum containers, and carbon dioxide from the air. With no minerals to buffer the water, and the absorption of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, distilled water will have an acidic (<7) pH.

Due to the high purchase price, high maintenance, high electrical operating costs and low water output, most people choose RO over steam distillers. The purchase price is lower, daily water output is higher, and less maintenance is required. RO systems produce demineralized water that is comparable to steam distillation with the inherent problems that have been identified in clinical trials, relating to the consumption of demineralized water.

While somewhat subjective, most people find that distilled water has poor taste characteristics, probably due to the absence of minerals.

Nickel Allergies and Stainless Steel

Storing distilled water in stainless steel tanks can result in water containing high levels of nickel. To make steel stainless, chromium and nickel are added. Nickel is the most common metal allergen, leaching into liquids and foods that come into contact with stainless steel. Acidic liquids and foods can absorb even higher amounts of nickel.  It is estimated that 14% of women have nickel allergies, which can produce eczema like symptoms and an itchy, bumpy rash.

Aviva does not recommend storing water in stainless steel, aluminum or plastic containers. As water distillers store purified water in either plastic or stainless steel, and for the reasons outlined earlier, I do not recommend water distillers. Other systems that use stainless steel include the overpriced multi level marketed Multi-Pure system.

Bisphenol-A, Phthalates and Aluminum

In addition to absorbing nickel from stainless steel, distilled water can absorb aluminum from cookware and storage containers, and Bisphenol-A and phthalates from plastics. One of the most well known xenoestrogens found in plastic containers, plastic bottles, and in the lining of canned foods is the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA has been linked to a variety of diseases and has recently been officially labeled a dangerous substance in Canada. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, phthalates may increase the risk of birth defects and cancer.

Comparison: Using Opus Healthy Water Systems vs. Distillation

• No electricity required with Opus systems. The electricity to distill water is between $ .20 and $ .40 per gallon. If you drink 1820 gallons of water per year (about five gallons per day) the cost of operation is between $364.00 and $728.00 per year, not including replacement filters.

• No messy cleaning and descaling of the distillation tank boiling chamber.

• Steam distillation is expensive to install as an on-demand system, requiring additional plumbing and a dedicated water pump.

• Most steam water distillers use a combination of stainless steel and plastic parts, and may store water in BPA containing plastic or stainless steel tanks. The corrosive nature of distilled water results in the absorption of these toxic compounds. The plastics can leach Bisphenol-A, and the stainless steel can leach nickel.

• Steam distillation produces water slowly, averaging 4-5 gallons in 24 hours.

• OPUS Healthy Water Systems retain dissolved minerals and either maintain the original pH (Advantage and Ultrapure) or increase alkalinity (Alkaplus and PURE).

• Distilled water absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, increasing the acidity.

Reverse osmosis is an effective method of removing contaminants and minerals from water. Using a semi-permeable membrane filter (Thin Film Composite or TFC), very pure water is produced. RO systems utilize a series of inexpensive filters (sediment, granulated or block carbon), the TFC membrane, and a bulky pressurized rubber or flexible plastic lined metal storage tank. As chlorine can damage the TFC membrane all RO systems should have effective carbon prefilters, and most use a carbon post filter to improve the taste.

RO systems are not designed to filter microbiologically unsafe water and do not remove high levels of arsenic and manganese. Manganese has recently been linked to a higher incidence of Parkinson’s disease. (activated alumina filtration removes fluoride and arsenic.)

RO systems are far from being environmentally friendly. When new, approximately 1 gallon of water is wasted for every gallon produced. Over time the RO membrane loses efficiency, with gradually higher amounts of wasted water that can result in 10 gallons or more of wasted water for each gallon stored in the holding tank. If an RO system is not cleaned and sanitized regularly there is the potential for bacterial, fungal and mold growth in the holding tank, on the membrane, and on the tank lining. In addition, where bacteria is present, there is the potential for viral contamination.  The pressurized holding tanks that store water produced by RO systems are limited in size and capacity, fill slowly and present a problem if you need more than three or four gallons of water per day.

In a study of 600 families performed at the University of Quebec, 300 families consumed normal tap water and 300 families drank water purified by RO. There was a significantly higher incidence of gastroenteritis among families with RO systems. The level of bacteria in the RO systems increased to 100,000 per milliliter and higher. People who drank RO water averaged 10 times the incidence of illness of those drinking unfiltered tap water.

Summary: RO and Steam Distilled Water

With the risk of bacterial, fungal and viral contamination, the negative environmental impact due to large volumes of waste water in the RO system,  the acidic qualities of both RO and distillation, the electrical costs to produce steam distilled water, the potential for nickel, Bisphenol-A, phthalate or other contamination, and the proven negative impact on health that results from drinking demineralized water, I do not recommend RO or steam distillation.

Comparison: Using Opus Healthy Water Systems vs. Reverse Osmosis

• Opus systems provide continuous on-demand water, with no pressurized storage tank needed.
You can fill multiple 5 gallon bottles without waiting up to 24 hours for a 2.5 gallon pressurized RO holding tank to fill up.

• Healthful minerals, including magnesium and calcium remain in solution. Minerals also improve the taste of drinking water.

• Easy to install and maintain.

• No water waste. RO systems can waste 10 times the water produced or more.

• No connection to the drain for waste water.

• No annoying “dripping” noise that can sometimes be heard due to the continuous dripping of waste water from RO systems.

• OPUS water purification systems feature multiple filtration media, providing redundant filtration, with dual 1 micron and dual carbon filters to ensure state of the art filtration of chlorine, heavy metals and other contaminants.

• No danger of fouling the RO membrane. Suspended particles, minerals and microorganisms can foul the RO membrane resulting in decreased water production, poor contaminant rejection, fungal, mold, viral and bacterial contamination, ineffective purification, and higher levels of waste water.

• No danger of bacterial, fungal, mold, or viral water contamination.

• No danger of nickel, phthalates, or bisphenols, as no storage tank is required.

• Removes 99% of all bacteria (Ultrapure and PURE)

• No increase in acidity. Opus systems do not increase the acidity of water.

• Alkalinity is maintained or unchanged, due to retention of dissolved minerals (Advantage, Ultrapure)

• Alkalinity is increased, through the addition of magnesium, calcium and potassium ions, negative hydrogen and oxygen ions, and a decreased Oxidation Reduction Potential, converting purified water into a powerful free radical scavenging antioxidant (Alkaplus and PURE), alkaline, oxygenated water.

Often used by laboratories, deionization utilizes a series of ion exchange resins, but to produce pure water, deionization must be combined with other purification systems, as while this method removes dissolved solids and gases, many other impurities remain. Deionization is not a practical system for drinking water or home use.

Ozone, or O3,  also called “activated oxygen,” is a highly reactive gas naturally produced in the atmosphere by the photochemical reaction of solar ultraviolet light radiation and oxygen (O2), or by lightning (bio-electrical reaction). At ground level, ozone is produced through the interaction of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and from ODS (Ozone Depleting Substances), including aerosol propellants, coolants, foaming agents, fire extinguishers, chemical solvents and pesticides.

The atmospheric ozone layer spans an area from six to thirty miles above the earth, helping to reduce harmful UV radiation at the earth’s surface. O2, two atoms of oxygen, is part of the air we breath. By adding a third atom (O1 + O1 + O1 = O3), ozone (O3) is created.

Ozone can be made synthetically through the reaction of O2 with either an electrically charged wire (electro-chemical corona discharge) or ultraviolet light source (photochemical), creating O3. Synthetically produced ozone is effective as an air and water purifier, odor killer and disinfectant.

Ozone is highly reactive, and when it is close to the earth and near people it can be a health hazard, which is why Health Canada has issued a warning that air purifiers that emit higher than acceptable levels of ozone can cause lung irritation. Ozone can damage the cells that line the bronchial airways, increasing the risk of respiratory infection and inflammation, asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. While ozone is an effective air and water disinfectant, high concentrations are harmful to living tissues. Many air purifiers that produce negative ions emit ozone.While ozone can be dangerous to living tissue, when used properly it is a powerful cleaner, disinfectant, and bleaching agent.

Ozone is the strongest oxidant available for the disinfection of air and water. Ozone is used to purify a high percentage of the world’s drinking water, including bottled and municipal water. Ozone acts over 3000 times faster than chlorine, killing 99% of waterborne bacteria, germs, viruses and most pesticides by rupturing the cells of micro-organisms, or destroying odors and chemicals by oxidation. Ozone has a fairly short life of about 20 minutes, naturally changing back to O2.

Moderately soluble in water, ozone works by two modes of action; direct oxidation and oxidation by hydroxyl radicals. These oxidation reactions result in complete sterilization and deodorization with the only residual being dissolved oxygen.

While the use of ozone for most drinking water systems is unnecessary and impractical due to municipal chlorination, I recommend this method of sterilization for water that is microbiologically unsafe to drink, as an alternative to UV-C sterilization. There are also new inexpensive ozone producing systems designed to kill micro-organisms and remove toxins from food, which would be the preferred method of ensuring the safety of your meats, fish, fruits and vegetables.

KDF Fluid Treatment, Inc.

As with many inventions, combining copper and zinc to produce an electro-chemical reaction to remove free chlorine was an accidental discovery made by Don Heskett in 1984, which lead to the creation of KDF Fluid Treatment Inc.

Originally KDF was an acronym for Kinetic Degradation Fluxion. The discovery resulted in many patents and opened up a new era in water treatment. In 1992, KDF 85 and KDF 55 Process Media were certified by NSF International to its Standard 61 for drinking water. In 1997, KDF Fluid Treatment became a member of the Water Quality Association, receiving ANSI/NSF Standard 42 certification for drinking water. KDF media combined with GAC can be used in point of entry (whole house) systems and point of use (drinking water) systems.

Using a process of electro-chemical oxidation known as “redox” (Oxidation-Reduction), KDF media is a zinc-copper alloy that removes 99.9% of free chlorine, heavy metals, nitrates, nitrites, silver, aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, nickel, zinc, lead, chromium, barium, hydrogen sulfide, radon, selenium, trihalomethanes, manganese, mercury, chloroform, trichlorethane, lindane, pesticides, fungicides, bad tastes and odors.  KDF media significantly extends the life of granulated activated carbon (GAC), controls and inhibits the growth of microorganisms and outperforms silver-impregnated carbon filters.

Used by major laboratories and manufacturers, KDF media is an ideal complement to activated carbon filters. The high purity zinc-copper alloy, known as KDF-55D,  produces zinc oxide, which destroys bacteria, extending the life of activated carbon while limiting the growth of bacteria in the carbon bed. The zinc-copper alloy attracts heavy metals like a magnet. Testing confirms that the level of copper in water filtered by KDF media is <0.05 mg/l, which is 20 times below the acceptable EPA levels. Zinc levels are 0.46 mg/l, over ten times below the EPA safety level of 5.0 mg/l. There is no better technology for the removal of contaminants from microbiologically safe water than KDF combined with GAC.

As KDF Media does not remove fluoride, all OPUS Healthy Water System models designed for municipal water treatment include a fluoride filter. For microbiologically unsafe water (lakes, wells, etc., with high bacteria counts), ceramic filters, UV-C, ozonation, and ultra filtration technologies are recommended.

Ceramic filters provide very fine filtration, and are recommended for microbiologically unsafe water. With a .5 to .9 micron rating, ceramic filters are effective for filtering bacteria (including E.coli), cysts and sediment. The ceramic material can be cleaned many times with a plastic brush, extending the life of the filter, however in areas with high levels of sediment the ceramic material may quickly become clogged, lowering water pressure and requiring regular cleaning. will quickly lower water pressure as the ceramic pores become clogged, requiring regular cleaning.

Many users of ceramic filters find the regular cleaning to be time consuming and often switch to other methods of sterilization including ozonation or treatment with UV-C (germicidal ultraviolet) light. Ceramic is often combined with silver impregnated carbon to control bacteria.  Some models of ceramic filters are called “candles” because they resemble a candle in shape.

For water sterilization, UV-C is usually a less expensive, easier to maintain option, especially when combined with quality sediment filtration and KDF/Carbon technologies. Ceramic filtration is an excellent solution for cottages where electricity is not available. A six candle ceramic filter unit is available that features high water flow rates and excellent performance. Ceramic filtration systems are also available in a table top units (Carafe design) that are ideal for filtering microbiologically unsafe water, however ceramic filters do not remove fluoride.