There are many different water treatment technologies that address different water quality needs. When it comes to filtration, Everpure's precoat process provides better protection against contaminants.

Precoat filtration removes particles, off-tastes and odors, asbestos fibers, cysts like Cryptosporidium and Giardia, and other harmful contaminants. Precoat provides Absolute Filtration and removes 99.99% of all particles as small as 1/2 micron in size. This patented technology offers the largest filtering surface area, a long filter life, and protection against undetectable failures such as chanelling and dumping.

Concerns about water quality have been around for many years as the environmental movement raised consumer awareness of polluted water supplies. Today, water safety is more important than ever as those contaminated water sources make their way into our drinking water.

The 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs) have helped raise public awareness of water safety. While municipalities follow strict guidelines to disinfect water and protect against contamination, the threat still exists. Water distribution pipes leading from most of the nation's treatment plants often allow rust, lead and other corrosive metals to contaminate previously treated water. Plus, despite increased vigilance from municipalities, certain harmful cysts, like Cryptosporidium, remain resistant to common disinfectants like chlorine and ammonia. And, in rural areas, where water is sourced from untreated wells, the safety of what's coming out of the tap is even more questionable.

So understanding what's in your water is the first step towards water safety. Check with your local municipality for a copy of your CCR. Or, have your water tested by a Water Treatment Specialist or laboratory. Once you know what's in your water, investigate and understand the treatment technologies available to treat the problems that are lurking in your water. Then, select the most cost-effective solution for your needs.

To help you sort through the different product offerings and technologies available, independent testing agencies set product standards for water filtration. NSF International's Drinking Water Treatment Unit Certification Program is the most widely accepted certification program. NSF Certification means the contaminant reduction claims listed on the label are true and accurate, the materials of construction do not add anything to the water, the system is structurally sound and that advertising claims are true and accurate.

NSF has developed a series of standards to reflect various levels of filtration. Standard 42 for Aesthetic Effects list several "classes" of performance for the basic functions of adsorption and mechanical filtration. These are measured by percentage reduction over the stated life of a unit.

Taste & Odor Reduction and Chlorine Reduction: Class I: At least 75% reduction (highly effective) Class II: 50 to 75% reduction (somewhat effective) Class III: 25 to 50% reduction (least effective)

Particulate Reduction: Class I: 0.5 to 1 micron (smoke, small clay particles) Class II: 1 to 5 microns (most bacteria/one-celled algae) Class III: 5 to 15 microns (most protozoa, pollen, silt) Class IV: 15 to 30 microns (mold, spores, rust particles) Class V: 30 to 50 microns (barely visible root hairs, rotifers) Class VI: over 50 microns (sand, leaf fragments, insect parts)

NSF's second standard to which filtration systems are tested is Standard 53 for Health Effects. This is NSF's highest standard available for protection against health hazards such as lead and cysts. With Standard 53, there are no class distinctions, but merely a pass/fail test. Contaminant reduction levels are as follows:

Cyst Reduction: 99.95% reduction of particles in the 3-4 micron range. Turbidity Reduction: Over 90% reduction of 10-12 units of turbidity in water. Lead Reduction: Minimum 90% reduction of 15 ppb lead to 15 ppb or less at both high and low pH levels. Asbestos Reduction: 99% reduction of fibers exceeding 10 micrometers in length. Chemical Reduction: Usually 95% reduction of severe pollution levels to the MCL or lower, for the unit's entire rated capacity.

The Water Quality Association (WQA) has a certification program called the Gold Seal. WQA's Gold Seal represents the oldest independent third-party testing and validation program in the water treatment industry and is a mark of product quality and integrity. WQA awards the Gold Seal only to water treatment equipment that has been tested to meet or exceed industry standards for performance, capacity and integrity in removing a variety of water supply contaminants. The Gold Seal program also validates products under Standards 42 and 53.

Why look for NSF and Gold Seal certification?

NSF International, which sets industry standards for water filtration systems, has tested and certified Everpure precoat filters with its highest ratings for meeting strict guidelines for health and aesthetic qualities. Everpure was also the first to pass NSF's new live cyst test--claiming 99.99% live cyst reduction.

The Water Quality Association has also awarded Everpure products its prestigious Gold Seal validation for quality and integrity.

Everpure precoat filters are certified under Standard 42, Class I for aesthetic effects and Standard 53 for health effects.