Reverse osmosis systems play a crucial role when it comes to purification of drinking and cooking water at home for storage in water coolers or for use in drinking fountains. These systems currently stand as the best filtration systems that offer high-quality water production. This is majorly because they are made of different stages of filtration, combined into one unit.
This makes sure that all possible water contaminants present in your water are taken care of. These contaminants range from sediment, mineral salts and other unwanted substances like chlorine. Some are removed through simple carbon filtration, while others are eliminated at the semi-permeable membrane chamber, with the use of a pressure of around 35-40 psi. Only water molecules are small enough to pass through this membrane and therefore the other contaminants are left out and filtered at this stage. The fact that it removes a lot of minerals will mean that the system should also be cleaned and maintained, to ensure continued supply of high quality purified water.

About the Maintenance

Reverse Osmosis System Maintenance will surely depend on the quality of water that it filters. One of the parts of a reverse osmosis that should be diligently taken care of is the reverse osmosis membrane. This is basically the part of the system that takes care of most of the contaminants contained in water.

Doing maintenance on the system will ensure peak performance of your water filtration system. The system has a normalised salt passage standard and also a standard permeate flow. If the salt passage increases by 15%, you should consider doing a system maintenance. This also applies if the permeate flow decreases by the same ratio.

The RO membrane cleaning can be done in place, or the membranes can be removed and taken to a specialised company that offers RO cleaning services. The latter is usually more effective. This is because certain factors have to be considered in the cleaning process. Some are PH and water temperature. The flows also have to be checked and therefore should be done by a professional company.

Preventive Maintenance

This is a type of maintenance where you have technicians regularly check your system to ensure high-quality performance and effective output. During these visits, any filters that need to be changed will be changed, and any necessary repairs done.

After such servicing, you will be provided with a report of normalised data trends.

The 3 Stages’ Maintenance

Most reverse osmosis systems usually have 3 stages of filtration i.e. the pre-filter, Reverse Osmosis phase and the Post-Filter phase. The 5 stage Reverse Osmosis Systems can also be grouped into these 3 main stages.

Pre-filter Maintenance

This stage comprises of cartridge filters that sift out solid particles. This is to protect the RO membrane from damage. These filters should be changed after around 6-9 months, failure to which it will put the RO membrane at risk, and lead to more cost incurrence.

RO Membrane Maintenance

Since this is the most crucial part of the RO system, its maintenance is of utmost importance. It should be cleaned after a period of 3-4 months, to prevent clogging of the system.

Post-filter Maintenance

This is the last stage of the system, and its main goal is to ensure production of high-quality water, by removing any contaminants like chlorine that may have been left behind in the process. It comprises of carbon filters, which should be changed within a period of 6-9 months.

Conclusion

Reverse Osmosis Systems cost quite an amount, and therefore should be able to provide undoubtedly high purification standards for water to use in office water coolers. However, this cannot be achieved without carrying out scheduled maintenance of the system. Apart from ensuring production of high-quality water, maintenance also increases the lifespan of the system. It makes 10-15 years of efficient production achievable.

You can contact us if you are looking for a reverse osmosis system, or for any assistance in maintenance and repairs. We also supply water cooler filters, water coolers for sale, water cooler dispensers and water bubblers. Just get in contact and we shall be willing to assist you.

Water filters are the most efficient way of reducing water contamination and removing contamination in your water. Contaminated water contains sediments and disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. There are filters specialised for filtering certain water contaminants, and there are generalised ones that filter many contaminants. Modern filters come in various shapes and sizes and are capable of filtering chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals and other sediments. The following are some of the types of water filters and how they operate.

Reverse Osmosis (Osmotic Membrane Technology)

This is the most efficient filtration technology, and it’s capable of filtering nearly all the water contaminants including heavy metals, fluorine, chlorine, sediments, and excessive nutrients and minerals. The technology applied here is the use of semi- permeable membrane combined with a pressure of about 35- 40 psi. The membrane has tiny pores, which can only the tiny water molecules to pass through.  All other particles are left behind, washed and piped out to the main drain.

The semi-permeable membrane is usually fitted with other filters in a system known as Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System. 5 stage reverse Osmosis System uses a total of 5 filters to ensure that the water is completely purified. The filters which are usually combined with this membrane include sediment pre-filter, carbon pre- filter and a carbon post- filter.  The pre-filters protect the osmotic membrane from damage while the post-filter is meant to polish the filtered water to ensure it is of high quality. This water can then be stored in filtered water coolers, office water coolers and let out in water cooler dispensers, faucets or drinking water fountains.

Activated Carbon Filters

Just as the name suggests, these water filters are made up of special carbon. The type of carbon used here is the one that has been activated to attract a large number of impurities present in water. Activated carbon filter can be found as a complete stand-alone filtration or in complex systems like the reverse osmosis system. Its design technique allows it to have large bonding sites for organic impurities.

These filters work by a process known as adsorption. This is the process through which the impurities found in water chemically bond with the activated carbon. After water enters the filter, these impurities typically attach themselves to the activated carbon. The level of filtration depends on some factors such as the speed of water flowing through the filter and the concentration of carbon.

Alkaline/Water Ionizers

The alkaline water ionizers water filtration technology works through a process called electrolysis, which raises the water PH. Usually, water is subjected over electrically charged plates that separate it into its acidic ad alkaline components. The negatively charged electrodes attract the positive ions hence leading to reduction. The positively charged electrodes attract the negatively charged ions hence resulting to water oxidisation. The reduced water is ideal for cooking and drinking while the oxidised water can be used for laundry, cleaning utensils, cleaning wounds and even for sterilisation.

UV Filters

UV filters make use of ultraviolet radiation to get rid of pathogens that may be present in your water. In this process, water is usually exposed to UV rays which are then absorbed by the microorganisms found in water. The UV rays alter the DNA of these microorganisms hence destroying them and leading to their death. This is the best way of eliminating waterborne diseases to provide safer drinking and cooking water.

Infrared Filters

Infrared water filters are commonly used for water softening. They depend on light and heat to give water a softer feel. Soft water is usually free from heavy metals and excess minerals and nutrients.

Conclusion

The type of water filter you choose depends on the level of water contamination. When purchasing a water filter, you should consult an aquafil expert since different water filters come with different filtration technologies. Aquafil will advise you on the best system that will solve the water problems in your area. Get in touch for information on water filters, refill statins and other  products including bubblers, water coolers Sydney, office water coolers, and water cooler dispensers and drinking bubblers among other quality products provided by aquafil. These are better solutions than buying single use bottled water every day, which will prove expensive and environmentally unfriendly in the long term.

We are committed to promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle to you and your family, as well as protecting the environment around us.

Introduction

There are different water contaminants such as heavy metals, lead, excessive minerals, and nutrients. The various water contaminants have various methods of finding their way into the water. In this article, we are going to look at lead as one common and dangerous water contaminant.

What is Lead?

Lead is a naturally occurring metal that exists almost in all parts of the world. It is classified in the group of carbons and contained in most of the equipment we interact with and use in our day to day activities and functions. It is a threat to both the health of children and even adults, though children are the most to its effects.  Children affected by lead suffer from constipation, fatigue, learning difficulties, slow growth rate, and development, vomiting, and loss of appetite among other health problems. For an adult, you may experience abdominal pains, memory loss, headache, muscle pains, reduced sperm count in males, joint pains, high blood pressure among other symptoms.

How do you know that your water is contaminated with lead?

Unlike chlorine, lead does not have a taste or smell, and neither can it be seen. The best way of determining the presence of lead in your water and the level of contamination is by testing your water. This is the only reliable way to enable you to protect yourself and your family members from consuming lead-contaminated water.

How does Lead get into the water?

Plumbing is the primary source of lead contamination in water. In most cases, the pipes used in transporting water are usually the cause of lead contamination. Older homes are likely to suffer from lead contamination in their drinking and cooking water. This is because some of the pipes used in transporting water in these homesteads were laid several years ago before the community realised the dangerous health effects of the substance.

How to remove lead from water

It is important to know the level of lead contamination in your water before deciding on the best method of lead removal. The following are some effective methods of removing lead contamination from water. They can be used alongside your office water coolers, water drinking fountains and home water cooler dispensers.

Using a Lead Water Filter

Lead water filter is the best way of protecting yourself and family members from lead ingestion. Filters can be installed in water cooler dispensers, office water coolers, drinking fountains and water bubblers. A water filter can be placed under the sink, on top of the counter, on water pitches or you can just attach it to the faucet.  Filters come in various types and forms including water filter coolers, water cooler filters, and others. Before purchasing any water filter, always ensure that it is NSF certified for Lead Removal.

Replacing Lead Water Pipes

Most of the plumbing lines, especially water pipes that were laid several years ago, have high levels of lead. Knowing the type of pipe that supplies your domestic water is imperative when it comes to protecting yourself from lead. You can determine the presence of lead in your water supply system by yourself using very simple methods. One of the best ways of detecting the presence of lead is by using a coin to scratch the pipe and then check the colour. Pipes made of copper have the colour of a penny while those made of lead have the colour of nickel. It is easier and cheaper to replace lead water pipes that have been used for private home plumbing. However, for public plumbing, it is relatively expensive and arduous, and you may resort to other methods like water filters.

Flushing out Water before usage in the morning

Though it is a wasteful practice, it may act as a short term solution to lead contamination. If you rely on public plumbing for your water supply, you may opt to flush water in the morning. Flushing out is meant to get rid of the water that has stayed in the lead pipe overnight hence increasing chances of lead leaching from the pipe into the water. This method may not be very effective, but it reduces the level of lead contamination in water.

Conclusion

Lead contamination poses great health dangers. It is, therefore, important to detect the presence of lead contamination in your water then reduce it, or remove it altogether. Aquafil are your partners in safe drinking water. Contact us today for assistance on lead removal techniques from your water supply system as well as for the purchase of water coolers Sydney, office water cooler, filtered water coolers, and drinking fountains among other quality products.

For Our World, Our Nation, and Ourselves

Plastic is ubiquitous in our society. It is everywhere, in multiple formulations, thicknesses, usages, and packaging of everything from food to diapers. It is formulated from both non-renewable sources as well as renewable sources.

Ingredients in plastic

Plastic is made from natural gas, crude oil, coal, salt, and cellulose. They also contain a wide variety of chemicals to make them soft, hard, malleable, or rigid. According to a study published in 2011 in Environmental Health Perspectives, the majority of plastic products can release estrogenic chemicals that can harm us. This study included everything from sippy cups to plastic water bottles to food wrappings, and was done on many BPA-free plastics.

Three plastics to steer clear of that leach toxic chemicals when they are heated, pressurised or worn are polycarbonate, polystyrene, and PVC. Most fast food restaurants still put food in polystyrene, and most homes built in the last 50 years have PVC water pipes.

A better way for water bottles

Plastic water bottles are everywhere nowadays. The impact they are having on our health and environment is toxic.  from the absorption of harmful chemicals into our bodies to the floating masses of garbage in our oceans that are threatening marine and bird life.

To help stop this unnecessary waste, there is a better way to rehydrate. Metal or glass water bottles that are refillable are a wonderful alternative ingesting the chemicals from plastic water bottles. Shop Naturally and Biome both offer glass water bottles with some coming with their very own fashionable carry cover.

What makes these reusable water bottles a wonderful idea and easy to use is the range of Water Bottle Refill Stations and Drinking Fountains offered by Aquafil of Sydney, These water bottle refill stations are available with chilled or non-chilled, filtered or non-filtered  water options.

Aquafil is committed to helping protect our environment and the people who live in it. We offer drinking fountains, water bubblers, water cooler dispensers, office water coolers, and filtered water coolers in Sydney and Australia wide, so let’s switch to reusable water bottles for our world, our nation, and ourselves.

The world is a busy place, and it is not always easy to remember those 8 cups of water a day that are so highly recommended, and with good reason. Water hydrates the skin, helps to ward off headaches, and is good for the heart. On the financial side, steering toward water coolers and bottle refill stations also keeps wallets fuller and reduces waste in landfills and bodies of water. Here are 5 Easy Ways to Add More Water Throughout the Day to help you stay health and hydrated.

1. Invest in a great reusable water bottle. It is okay to splurge a little here, since a good one can last quite a while. Get one for home and for the office, and be sure to stop often at the office water cooler to refill throughout the day!
2. Drink water at restaurants. Skip the cost of carbonated beverages or expensive juices; instead, take the wallet-friendly road and save some money while also taking in something good.
3. Add some fruit. A slice of lemon or a few strawberries can turn ordinary water into a treat.
4. Set a timer. Both cell phones and watches have timer functions, so if it is a challenge to stay hydrated, create a reminder and drink water at least every half hour.
5. Buy some fun straws. Staying hydrated does not have to be boring!

Providing access to clean, cold water is easy to do with a water cooler from Aquafil.  There are many options available for office spaces, schools, and commercial buildings. Filtered water coolers save money, reduce the environmental impact on the earth, and encourage others to stay hydrated by refilling throughout the day. Drinking adequate amounts of water is good for the body and the mind, and by utilising reusable water bottles, it is also good for the world. For water cooler solutions, Aquafil can help.

Have you ever considered the pros and cons of drinking fountains? Not sure if you should opt for a plumbed water drinking fountain or bottle-fed water cooler.

Read on to discover the benefits of a drinking fountain.

The Benefits of a Drinking Fountain vs. Bottled Water Cooler

Drinking fountains, with their waste systems, stainless steel bodywork and basins are the ideal solution for high usage areas, such as sport centres, universities, school corridors, factories and office buildings.

While some people may consider the systems to be unattractive compared to some indoor water coolers or water dispensing systems, drinking fountains are highly functional. These systems do not require bottled water delivery and don’t need much maintenance. Many drinking fountains have added options such as carbon-based filters and coil-on-coil chilling systems. This means the system can dispense a continuous supply of fresh, chilled drinking water. Bottle-fed water coolers cannot achieve this as their water supply has to be continually monitored and replaced.

While pumped water systems can dispense as much as 50 litres per hour, some  drinking fountains and refill stations can dispense  4 litres of chilled water per minute, making them ideal for use in public spaces.

What About Etiquette?

There is such a thing as etiquette for drinking fountains. When using a public fountain:

• Wait your turn
• If there is a queue, be patient, there will be enough water for everybody
• Avoid placing your mouth directly on the fountain
• Catch the water in your mouth without touching the top of the fountain

Conclusion

There is a myriad of advantages to installing and using drinking fountains compared to buying plastic bottles of water that are harmful to the environment.

If you would like further information about installing a fountain in your place of work, feel free to contact Aquafil today.