What are NSF Standards?

NSF Standards - NSF International tests and certifies drinking water treatment devices to the standard appropriate for the technology of the product. NSF does not "rate" or "rank** water treatment systems, rather each system is tested against its own claims. For filtering devices, NSF may certify the product to improve.

Aesthetic Effects (NSF Standard No. 42)
A drinking water treatment system may be certified under Standard 42 if the system aesthetically improves the water. This includes the reduction of chlorine, chloramine, and particulate reduction.

Chlorine Reduction
A device can be certified for chlorine reduction by meeting the minimum level of reduction required by the NSF standard, which is only 10%. Be sure to check the literature to determine how much chlorine is reduced by the device.

Particulate Reduction
Several classes are used to define the level of particulate reduction, ranging from Class VI for those devices removing coarse particulates of 50 micrometers and larger to Class I for drinking water treatment units that reduce the smallest (sub-micron) particles (0.5 to 1.0 micron).

Health Effects (NSF Standard No. 53)
NSF tests and certifies under this standard if a filter system reduces a significant amount of a specific harmful contaminant from drinking water. Such hazardous contaminants may be microbiological (including filterable cysts), chemical (including DBFs, pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides), or particulate in nature. NSF may certify that a drinking water treatment unit may be effective in controlling one or more of the health effects contaminants. By carefully reviewing the performance data sheet for a product, you will be able to determine whether the device is effective in reducing many pollutants or just a few.

Reverse Osmosis (NSF Standard No. 58)
The Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology is tested and certified under Standard 58. Reverse Osmosis water filtration process is pressure-driven. RO water filters work best at a high pressure flow. The pressure applied is much beyond the osmotic pressure of the contaminated water against a semi-permeable membrane. RO devices effectively reduce certain heavy metals, salts, and inorganics, including healthful, naturally-occurring minerals. Contaminants extracted through the Reverse Osmosis process are returned to the water supply. The process is slow and wastes about 3 to 4 gallons for every one gallon of water produced.

Distillation (NSF Standard No. 62)
NSF Standard 62 was developed for the Distillation technology which works very slowly and uses a lot of electricity. Water is heated to boiling and turns to vapor, leaving inorganic contaminants, including healthful minerals, behind. Chemicals evaporate along with the water and then recondense into a liquid state in the distilled water.

Distillation system can be very effective in solving most drinking water problems, especially dissolved salts which may be difficult to remove by other water purifiers. This water purification system produce almost pure water by removing microorganisms, nitrates, metals, dissolved solids, heavy metals, and unpleasant tastes and odors.

If you are looking for water filtration systems that meet the NSF standards, check out Multi-Pure website. Multi-Pure's Drinking Water Systems have been tested and certified under NSF Standard No. 42 and NSF Standard 53. Understand that some systems may be NSF tested but not NSF certified. Its RO System is certified under Standards 58, 53, and 42. In addition, the replacement filters for its Systems are also listed.

If you are interested in purchasing any of Multi-Pure's inline, undersink, or whole house filters, you can mention this website by using this discount code: 421896-disc. This code will entitle you to receive a $59.95 discount from their listed price.

For more questions please contact us here.

Choosing the best water purifier or filter

A filtration device cannot be sold unless such a device is confirmed by laboratory tests that it can do what it’s claimed to do, and it is safe to use. EPA has in the past revoked the registrations of some drinking water filters due to false claims. A water filter or purifier advertisement must accurately describe what it can do so as not to mislead prospective buyers.

Beside the fine prints, one must be very educated and be familiar with the water filter and purifier components as well. One reason EPA revoked the registrations is that the manufacturer failed to disclose that the water purifier contained silver or iodine that could leach into the drinking water making the water more unhealthy.

It is imperative to be educated and to do some research on what the water filter and purifier claim they can do. Verify if a device is registered by EPA, and if it is certified by a third party. It is better to be safe than sorry. It is better to spend more on a certified water filter or purifier than settle for a cheap one that could cause more health problems.

First water pitcher filter certified for lead reduction