What are Legionella Water Filters?
There are many types of water filters, some absorb chlorine to improve taste, others trap calcium to reduce scaling. The most common type are sediment filters which collect the larger dirt particles.
We all know that some types of bacteria can be hazardous to us especially for the very young, old or anyone with a depressed immune system. Many of the worst pathogens are transmitted to humans via our water supply. Even the best supplies can still contain small numbers of dangerous bacteria.
A bacteria filter, often referred to as a legionella filter traps all bacteria in a membrane preventing it reaching the tap or shower outlet.
Filters are graded according to the smallest size of particle they can trap and this size is measured in microns (one thousandth of a millimetre) , examples of the size of small objects are:-
- Human hair 70 microns
- Grain of table salt 120 microns
- Length of a bacteria 5 – 10 microns
Safewater filters capture anything larger than 0.15 microns so no bacteria can get past them. It required the most advanced manufacturing process to produce hollow fibres with minute pore sizes which permit a high flow rate and minimal pressure drop.
Safewater filters are used extensively in hospitals to prevent water borne bacteria reaching susceptible patients. These Legionella, pseudomonas, E.coli and Nontuberculous mycobacteria.
How long do these legionella filters last?
The lifespan of the AquaCert Safewater Filter will depend on the quality of the incoming water, for example they will last much longer on a good clean supply that
has no sediment compared to an untreated borehole feed. In Care Homes and Hospitals, they last up to 6 months.
As the filters collect more sediment and bacteria the pores slowly become blocked and the water flow rate reduces, when the flow rate becomes too little – simply replace the internal filter cartridge.
When & where do you use Legionella filters?
The most common use occurs when a routine legionella tests reveals that the water supply contains legionella bacteria. Since closing a care home or hospital is not a viable option, legionella filters are fitted so that there is no risk to patients or service users. Once fitted, the maintenance teams can plan and implement the remedial actions necessary to eradicate\minimise the reoccurrence of the bacteria.
- When there is active legionella in the water, the filters should be fitted to all showers plus any other outlets which create an aerosol.
- To ensure 100% safety, hospitals use them continuously in specialist areas such as neonatal, wound washing and infection control.
- In buildings where there is intermittent usage such as schools, second homes, caravans, sport facilities, company first aid rooms.
- Ships and offshore facilities where production and storage of water can be problematic.
Why do AquaCert recommend Safewater filters?
Competitor products are intended to be used and then thrown away so they are manufactured accordingly. Safewater filters are engineered to the highest of standards so that they can be re-used for many years. Safewater filter housings are designed to last for many years. They are built to be strong, sturdy and elegant so they look like any other quality shower head.
You’d be wrong to think that this makes them more expensive, it doesn’t! Safewater filters incorporate a cartridge filter so instead of throwing the lovely showerhead away, you just replace the cartridge. This makes Safewater filters much cheaper in the long term plus you get a quality, good looking product.
AquaCert has also evaluated the technical attributes of legionella filters.
- The Legionella Filters tend to last longer and retain a higher flow rate due to the way the hollow fibres are manufactured.
- They tend to withstand higher water pressures than many of the other manufacturers due it their expected long lifespan.
- They are fully compliant with UK and International requirements concerning quality, efficacy and performance.