FAQ

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Find frequently asked questions below:

Why is chlorinated water harmful?

Water is chlorinated at water treatment plants to substantially reduce the number of bacteria and microorganisms in the water, however, the chlorine itself is not removed from the water. Therefore, the tap water that comes into your home contains chlorine and organic chlorine compounds dissolved in it. It’s worth noting that these compounds may enter our body not only by drinking water. Some of them may be absorbed through the skin when taking a shower or a bath or inhaled when cooking or washing. Organic chlorine compounds have a toxic effect on the body provoking malfunctions of the cardiovascular and reproductive systems. All BARRIER water filters that are certified with WQA are effective at reducing aesthetic chlorine.

What is the difference between hard and soft water and are there simple identification tips?

Water hardness is manifested through the powdery white crust that appears on heating elements in washing machines or on cooking utensils after long-term use. This substance is actually formed from excess calcium and magnesium salts. If the crust formation occurs rather quickly, the water is known as “hard”. The sooner the formation appears, the higher the salt concentration in the water. Excessive hardness should be eliminated because excess concentrations of calcium and magnesium salts are bad for human health. These salts increase the risk of stone formation in the kidneys and in the gall bladder. Special BARRIER filter cartridges are used for decreasing water hardness.

Which type water is better: filtered or distilled?

Without a doubt, filtered! Distilled water is “dead” water. It contains no salts required for humans and the pH balance is far from the normal value (distillated water is acid water). Our bodies require not only liquid, but a number of useful substances dissolved in the water. Thus, drinking distilled water on a regular basis is not healthy.

Which type of water is better: bottled or filtered?

Bottled water is generally filtered water (unless it is mineral water). Before bottling this water, it is filtered using a one of a few different forms of filtration. One type of filtration is the reverse osmosis (RO) water filter system. Others may be a simple sediment filter while others don’t filter at all. However, in either case, it is unknown how long this water has been stored before reaching the consumer. During that time, certain substances contained in the package material like the bottle itself, may penetrate into the water.

Why can’t I just use let my water sit so that the harmful contaminants will fall to the bottom of my container and other chemicals will simply evaporate?

During this process, only volatile matters (e.g. chlorine) will be evaporated from the water while most substances will neither be evaporated nor deposited. They remain suspended in the water.

Is it true that water can be treated with silver?

This is true to some extent because silver has water disinfection properties and as such, it is a natural inhibitor of bacteria. However, silver also can penetrate into the water. Silver has the same properties as inorganic iron and as a result, it accumulates in the body eventually provoking many serious diseases.

Why shouldn’t I use tap water by boiling it instead of filtering it?

Boiling of untreated tap water is an extremely dangerous process. This is mainly attributed to the chlorine and organic chlorine compounds contained in the water. If you boil water, it will produce a complex chemical reaction resulting in creation of new substances that are much more toxic and hazardous to your health. In certain conditions (for instance, if there are benzene rings on the water surface) water boiling may produce dioxins, which may be fatal for humans. Boiling water is only recommended in situations when treatment plants fail and recommend boiling your water to make it safe.

How can I determine the composition of my tap water?

The most comprehensive analysis findings for the quality of your tap water is usually available from your local municipality. You can also bring a sample of your tap water to any number of labs that can give you specific results containing complete data on your water sample. Your local town hall can usually suggest a testing lab for you upon request. If you are unable to do this, you can determine your water composition applying certain criteria. First of all, consider inorganic iron content. It is always dissolved in your water in lower or higher concentrations. This is due to deteriorated pipes supplying the water to your home. Secondly, consider chlorine and organic chlorine compounds. They are all found in your water in certain concentrations as the water is chlorinated at the water treatment plants. Thirdly, consider the hardness. An increased concentration of these deposits can be seen by the white powdery or crusty formations on the faucets in your home, your cooking pots, tea kettle, heating elements of washing machines and dishwashers. If the crust forms quickly as you will see white deposits on the kettle and cooking pot bottoms, your tap water is very hard. Thus, the hardness level should be reduced to the normal value range.

On the basis of your results you can select a suitable replaceable BARRIER filter cartridge.

Replaceable Filter Cartridges

How do I know when to replace the filter cartridge?

The instructions for filter replacement is located in the user manual that comes with each pitcher filter as well as on the package of each replacement filter cartridge. The amount of time it takes to replace the filter cartridge depends on the number of persons using the filter and on the amount of water filtered per day. Estimating is based on the consumption of 32-64 ounces of water per person per day which gives the following results:
1 person - 2.5-3 months
2 persons - 2 months
3 persons - 1.5 months
4 and more people - 1 month.
To remind you of the filter replacement date, every water pitcher filter is delivered with a filter replacement indicator (calendar or microprocessor-based). Each indicator will remind you of the correct date for filter cartridge replacement.

What’s in a BARRIER replacement filter cartridge?

Activated coconut charcoal is the main element of BARRIER replacement filter cartridges. This media is imported from Sri Lanka (environmentally clean region). The activated charcoal is treated with silver in low concentrations, because silver is known to prevent proliferation of harmful microorganisms. Each filter cartridge also contains ion exchange resin.
The combination of these components enables water treatment from the basic polluting agents found commonly in tap water.

Pitcher Water Filters

What is the primary difference between the different models of BARRIER pitchers?

There actually is no difference in principal because all pitcher models use the same replacement filter cartridges. They only differ depending on their capacity and their convenience features like whether they have rubber footings that protect surfaces and keep the pitcher from slipping or if they have an electronic microprocessor as a replacement filter indicator as opposed to a mechanical or manual one. The price is directly related to these criteria.