THE NEW STANDARD
The new standard in effectively testing Microbiological Water Purifiers is “End of Life” testing, performed by qualified independent water laboratories. Each personal water purification device must meet these End of Life Testing Requirements.
The criteria involved is to to challenge the filter at least every 25 gallons with all the contaminants the manufacturer claims are removed being added again after each 25 gallon challenge. The volume of contaminants must be in accordance with the EPA standards for the various micro organisms being tested. This end of useful life or end of life should approximate the true capacity of a personal water filtration product.
There is no fee or cost for a manufacturer to provide their lab tests results to be posted on the Aqua Veritas website. There are however criteria with which the test must comply to qualify for publication.
End of Life Testing Requirements
Two basic criteria are involved when performing “End of Life” testing on a water purification device:
- Laboratory must be an independent EPA registered water laboratory.
This means that the company cannot perform its own in house testing. - The water filter product must be challenged at least every 25 gallons, with all the contaminants the product is said to remove, for up to the total gallon/litre being claimed.
For example: If the manufacturer claims the filter is effective for up to 300 gallons, the filter must be challenged every 25 gallons, being re-spiked with the full mass of contaminants every 25 gallons, and challenged for the full 300 gallons or until the filter has reached its end of life.
