: : SERVICES / FREQUENTLY ASK QUESTIONS : :

Do I need a filter?
Yes. There is a great need for clean and healthy water. Treated tap water does not necessary means free of contaminants such as sediments, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, parasites, chlorination by-products and known and unknown health threatening compounds. We need to selectively filter out all the harmful and health hazard contaminants prior to consumption, or we force our body to become the filter.

If our water is so contaminated, we should then rely on distilled water, demineralised water or reverse osmosis water as our daily water consumption source?
No. The healthiest water may come from our tap, it may not come in a bottle, it may not come from distillation system, it may not come from reverse osmosis system¡­. It comes from selective filtration which has the ability to remove contaminants and not minerals in the water.

The old school of thought promoting and classifying distilled and reverse osmosis water as the healthiest water is now known to be untrue and misleading. Both these water filtration methods are designed over 50 years ago for industrial purposes such as printing, electroplating and beverage process water and water for injection, which require mineral free water. Water in purest form free from trace minerals becomes high aggressive and more powerful universal solvent which will endeavour to dissolve everything it contacts. Water by its nature will always seek to balance its pH. If we consume pure water or demineralised water, it will pull minerals from our body to seek that balance. This is similar in nature whereby how rain water dissolves and pulls minerals from the ground to seek that balance.

In nature, all fresh water contains traces of natural minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium which our human body is designed to run on. All over the world, wherever you find the most contaminant-free, mineral rich water, you will find the healthiest, most vibrant civilisations.

What are the common problems we face with tap water in most countries?
Generally all Public Water Department or Municipal supplied water in most countries have undergone water treatment to a level safe for consumption, in accordance to World Health Organisation (WHO). However, the water may be undesirable for direct drinking consumption due to declining water quality along the ageing distribution pipelines to the consumers. General problems affecting the general public based on our professional experience and water records in major cities around the world:

Aesthetic quality of water

1. Turbidity and colour
   Supply of incoming water, which is turbid, contains suspended particles and sediments. Hence, the yellowish/brownish coloured water from our water tap.

2. Taste and odour
   Sub-optimal water quality with unpleasant taste and odour is unpleasant for consumption and causes staining of our laundry.

Health concerns, i.e. existence of bacteria, chlorine and organic chemicals in tap water.

1. Chlorine
   Water supply has often been found to contain excessively high level of chlorine for high residual biocidal disinfection of water. However, at high level, chlorinated compounds are considered suspect carcinogens. In addition, it slowly corrodes most of the galvanized iron pipelines and water tanks.

2. Bacteria and microbes
   Incoming water supply may be contaminated by bacteria as a result of industrial waste discharge, source water contamination, proliferation of bacteria in water storage tanks, maintenance work, water pipe leakages etc.

3. Organic or inorganic chemical and matters
   Incoming water supply may contain organic chemical due to contamination as a result of industrial waste discharge etc.

What are the sources of problems?
Water sources from various sources including surface water collected in water dams, as well as underground aquifers. The water quality from each source is different due to the characteristics of soil, dissolved minerals, vegetation, as well as sources of contaminations such as industrial discharge, farm wastes, pesticides etc. At the water treatment plants, various water treatment and disinfection technologies are applied to address these various characteristics and properties of water source in order to provide drinking water in compliance to WHO drinking water standards.

After treated water leaves water treatment plants but before it reaches premises, it will come into contact with many different substances such as gases, minerals, organic and inorganic matters, microorganisms and chemical compounds, along the extensive but ageing distribution pipe network- possibly encountering ruptured pipes along the way. Water is well known for its universal solvent characteristics whereby it can easily dissolve any substance it touches. Consequently what comes into contact with it can also easily contaminate it.

In addition, water treatment plants around the world are not designed to remove synthetic chemicals or toxic metals like lead and mercury. Every year, synthetic chemicals are used and developed and eventually wind up in the water sources and the water we drink.

Why is it necessary to filter the water supply?
It is only over the last 100 years that man has really understood how crucial the quality of drinking water is to health and well being. Great strides have been made in almost eradicating diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery- particularly in the developed world. The main contributor to this progress, however, is chlorination of the water supply which, in itself, creates an unpleasant residual taste, odour and harmful carcinogenic by-product. The majority of complaints received by Public Water Department or Municipal Treatment Plant are due to taste, odour and colour. In addition, the excessive chlorine level in the water has further corroded the water distribution systems resulting in deteriorating water quality.

Furthermore, over the last 100 years, industrialisation has resulted in pollution of our land and water courses, which will cause water contamination for many years to come. Indeed, we continue to learn more about the effect of trace contaminants on health, and the quality of drinking water is an ever changing science.

What does the system remove?
Bacfree® BS System removes a broad range of contaminants from water. Contaminants found in the water can essentially be placed in three different categories- microbiological, chemical and aesthetic. Impurities within these categories that are removed by Bacfree® BS System includes- harmful bacteria, protozoa organisms such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium cysts, chlorine, foul tastes and odours, specific chemicals, rust particles, sediment and numerous other undesirable contaminants including all particles as low as 0.2 microns.

Is bottled water better and more cost effective to use?
Not necessary. In the bottled water industry, bottled water can be simply classified into the following:-

1. Natural mineral water;
2. Treated drinking mineral water;
3. Reverse osmosis water;
4. Distilled water.

Among all the four types of bottled water commonly available in the market, only natural mineral water originated from mountain spring ore pristine underground aquifer whilst the others come from municipal water system just like our tap water.

The reality of bottled water is that consumers pay about RM1 to RM5 per litre for bottled water where the quality and purity is dependent on the credibility of the bottled manufacturers.

By selectively removing the chlorine, organic chemicals, parasites and other known and potential contaminants in the water supply, a quality point of use water filtration system from an established and reliable supplier will always give the most economical, most convenient and most capability in producing the healthy drinking water. It costs a fraction of what bottled water costs.

What does the filter leave in the water?
Bacfree® BS System is designed to remove harmful contaminants from water while leaving minerals essential to good health and taste intact. Calcium for example contributes to the overall taste of drinking water, is a major component of bones and teeth and is essential for various bodily processes such as blood clotting. While some products such as distiller and reverse osmosis systems remove calcium and other beneficial elements, Bacfree® BS System has been designed to remove only harmful contaminants while leaving essential mineral intact.

Will there be a noticeable difference in the quality of water from the purified supply?
Yes. Most people immediately notice a significant difference in the overall quality of filtered water when they install Bacfree® BS System. The extent of this depends largely on the level of contaminants in the water and individual sensory threshold. Most complaints relating to the taste and odour of tap water are due to the presence of chlorine and its by products. As the system also removes turbidity and discoloration, people often notice a marked improvement in the clarity of the purified water. Pure water enhances the flavour of tea, coffee, coups and cooking in general.

Does the system require the use of chemicals or electricity?
No. The system has been designed to work from mains water pressure, does not require the use of any chemicals. The cartridge is constructed entirely of approved materials.

How and what to use to clean a ceramic filter element?
In every filter element, the is a 3M Scotchbrite scouring pad specially used for ceramic cleaning purpose. Try to avoid using other brushes which is recommended by Bacfree to prevent early clogging and/or excessive wearing of ceramic surface.

How does the element works?
The heart of any water filter is its filter element or candle. Each type provides filtered water of different quality and varying filtration needs but all designs will give a bacteria free drinking water. All Bacfree® elements use ceramic outer surface as a primary means to filter bacteria and sediment down to as low as 0.2 micron. Whilst for removal of chlorine, organic chemical and heavy metals (applicable to Hi-Tech element and Swiss-Tech element), these are filtered using the inner extruded carbon block.

Ceramic Only
OUTER CERAMIC SURFACE: Bacfree Ceramic is made from Diatomaceous Earth and fired to above 1000 degrees Celsius. Over 80,000 overlapping pores make up each element. 99.999% rejection of bacteria and cysts. Bacteria and any other foreign particles as small as 0.2 of a micron are trapped on the outside of the element while the water passes through the ceramic wall to the inside of the element.

Combination Functions Filter Element
In addition to the above outer ceramic surface function. In inner core comprised of the following:

INNER EXTRUDED CARBON CORE: Inside the Ceramic shell is a post filter which is manufactured by combining a zeolite metal ion reduction medium, granular carbon and powdered carbon to form a tightly packed matrix. This post filter provides two key features; Chemical Reduction (chlorine, pesticides, solvents, etc.) and Heavy Metal Reduction (lead, iron, aluminum, etc.) Medical authorities are now identifying heavy metals as key players in the degradation of mental health in humans.

How does Carbon in the inner core remove chlorine and organic chemical?
The primary means by which Activated Carbon works to remove chemicals is physical adsorption. Common to all types of AC is its sponge-like structure of very little graphite crystals which are three-dimensionally linked by amorphous carbon. This sponge-like structure is highly porous and extremely uniform providing high performance adsorption. The walls surfaces of the pores have a huge surface. For instance 240g of granular carbon provide a surface are equivalent to 48 soccer field (240000 m2). Water contaminants are adsorbed because their attraction to the carbon surface is stronger than those to keep them dissolved in water. This adsorption process is based on the polarity of the molecules (so called Van-der Waals forces).

• A wide variety of chemical substances are adsorbed by the enormous surface of activated carbon.
• In this way health threatening substances in drinking water are contained.
• The bigger the surface of activated carbon, the higher is the removal capacity.
  In most cases adsorbed substances remain chemically unchanged: molecules are adsorbed by Carbon atoms. But also a chemical reaction can occur on the Carbon. Chlorine is reduced by catalytic hydrolysis: Chlorine reacts with Carbon forming Chloride ions.

How many types of Bacfree filter elements are available?
Bacfree offers a choice of 5 different types with varying filter performance and capability to match the requirements of any drinking water requirements and any local water conditions, ability to safely remove most impurities, chlorine, organic chemicals, foul tastes and odours while leaving mineral essential to good health and taste intact.

Special Grade Ceramic Element
The ceramic body is made of high quality diatomaceous earth. The outer ceramic section removes all particles as low as 0.5 microns in size. The cleanable ceramic surface retains suspended matters and bacteria as low as 0.5 microns in the raw water outside the outside of the ceramic wall. Any harmful bacteria, cysts, turbidity, dirt, algae and rust particles are blocked on the ceramic surface.

Carbon Element
This element is designed for bacteria, sediment, chlorine and organic chemical removal. The entire ceramic element is impregnated with carbon which is able to remove any unpleasant tastes, odour, chlorine and organic chemicals which may be present in our water supply. The filtration of the carbon element is 0.5 to 0.9 micron.

Streamkx Element (for Low Pressure)
Bacfree® Streamkx filter is a multifunctional filter specially designed for situation where water pressure is low or there is a specific concern about high levels of chlorine and organic contaminations.

Bacfree® Streamkx filter consists of activated carbon particles pre-mixed with zeolite ion-exchange medium (with high specificity for heavy metal) fused into a uniform and porous block, and two layers of prefiltration wrap around the outer surface. The extreme uniformity of the extruded activated carbon core prevents any channelling or bypass. Streamkx provides 0.5¦Ìm filtration with extended life that provides comprehensive control of sediment, silt, chlorine and organic chemical that contribute to taste and odour.

Hi-Tech Element
This element is designed for bacteria, sediment, chlorine, organic chemical and heavy metal removal.

• Ceramic Tube with Extremely Fine Pores
  The ceramic body is made of high quality diatomaceous earth. The outer ceramic section removes all particles as low as 0.2 microns in size. The cleanable ceramic surface retains suspended matters and bacteria as low as 0.2 microns in the raw water outside the outside of the ceramic wall. Filtration at this level is considered bacteriologically safe at micro-biology laboratory. Any harmful bacteria, cysts, turbidity, dirt, algae and rust particles are removed at this stage.
• Carbon Core
  The high performance carbon core encased within the centre of the element incorporates a scientifically formulated blend of activated carbon which removes chlorine, organic chemical, foul taste, odours, pesticide, insecticide, weed killer and heavy metals such as lead together with other undesirable elements that may be presents in the unfiltered water supply. However, natural minerals such as fluoride are left intact after filtering.

Swiss-Tech Element
The Swiss-Tech purification element is a combination of 0.2 micron fine ceramic technology, activated carbon technology and germicidal Silver ion impregnation technology. This element is designed for bacteria, sediment, chlorine, organic chemical and heavy metal removal, plus continuous self-disinfection capability with the use silver ion. The silver ion is used to disinfect and prohibit the growth of bacteria and pathogens within the filter matrix.

How will I know when I need to change the cartridge?
Ceramic Only
There is significant decrease in the water flow to the extent cleaning does not restore the normal water flow. The turbidity and particulate concentration in the supply water governs the life of the ceramic whereby the ceramic becoming blocked or wear off.

Combination Functions Filter Element
In addition to outer ceramic surface which has the above characteristics, the lifespan of the combination filter element is normally limited by the internal extruded carbon block which is determined by the concentration of chlorine, volatile organic chemicals and heavy metals is removed from the supply water. In most cases, after 5,000 litres of effective filtration or approximately 6-12 months, the filtration performance begins to lose its effectiveness.

How to measure the amount of water that the filter element has filtered and/or estimate how much water has passed through the filter?
On average a person uses approximately 2 litres for drinking water and another 8 litres for cooking. For a family drinking water applications, use 10 litres per day person as an estimation basis whilst for office and factory drinking water applications, use 2 litres per day person as the basis.

What is the operating pressure of Bacfree® BS System
Bacfree® BS System works on normal water mains pressure. The maximum recommended pressure that the unit should be subjected to has been calculated at 75psi (5 bar), and minimum recommended pressure is 15psi (1 bar). Average mains pressure falls somewhere between the above while the pressure from a header tank in a house is likely to be lower than the recommended minimum. Pressure limiting valve can be supplied for households experiencing a higher than average water pressure.

Is Bacfree® BS System guaranteed?
Yes. The system has a warranty for a period of 12 months after purchase (it free from defects in material and workmanship, when properly installed, and operated in accordance with our instructions). The element life will depend on influent water quality, pressure and overall usage and is not covered by this warranty.

Will Bacfree filter element remove harness?
No. Water harness is caused by the presence of positively charged metal ion. Hardness can be removed by pre-treatment using water softening and deionisation water treatment methods.

Will harness affect the performance of Bacfree filter element?
No. All Bacfree filter element is not designed to reduce or remove water harness. Hence, water harness has not effect on the filter element performance.

Will Bacfree filter element remove Arsenic?
No. Arsenic is commonly in dissolved state. To treat water containing Arsenic, pre-treatment using activated alumina and ion exchange resin. Alternatively, distillation or reverse osmosis water filtration systems are recommended.

Will Bacfree filter element remove rust and iron?
All rust and iron in particulate form can be easily removed using the filter element. To filter dissolved and soluble iron, pre-treatment using oxidation water treatments can be used cost effectively. Alternatively, distillation or reverse osmosis water filtration systems are recommended.

Will Bacfree filter element remove manganese?
Manganese in particulate form can be easily removed using the filter element. To filter dissolved and soluble manganese, pre-treatment using oxidation water treatments can be used cost effectively. Alternatively, distillation or reverse osmosis water filtration systems are recommended.

I understand the recent extensive use of man-made ammonium nitrate fertilisers for agricultural purposes has upset nature's balance and nitrates are now a pollutant which known to health effects. Will Bacfree filter element remove nitrates?
Nitrate can be removed using specialised nitrate selective ion exchange resin. In situations where the nitrate levels of the water supply are high or there is specific end user preference, Bacfree recommends the use of separate pre-filtration nitrate cartridge in tandem with a combination ceramic-carbon cartridge or carbon cartridge.

Why does the pH of my drinking water increase when I use my ceramic filter?
The slight increase in the pH of water passed through the ceramic filters is due to the presence of the mineral Wollastonite in the ceramic filter. Wollastonite is slightly soluble and alkaline which result in a minor pH shift which is harmless. WHO drinking water guidelines recommend the pH in the range of 6.5-9.0.

How do I know whether Bacfree water filtration system can used to filter the municipal treated water from my home?
Bacfree® drinking filters are primarily designed for municipal treated water based on World Health Organisation (WHO) Drinking Water Standards. As the water quality and problems vary from one country to another, we would be much obliged if you could forward us with the water tests conducted at your country for our perusal.

What if I am using untreated water sources?
For filtration of untreated water sources such as river, lake, tube well, underground water etc, a water consultation, analysis and solution engineering are required. Hence, it is advisable to consult Bacfree' s water filtration experts for advice.