Water Filters

[payton 0]

To be honest here, we should not just be talking about alkaline water. It so common to hear companies that are offering alkaline water. This not only complicates matters as alkaline water is dervied from many ways but not understood by many.

Let me help break it down for interested people who wants to know more.

1) Alkaline water can be made using chemicals. Think NaOH (sodium hydroxide aka caustic soda) this will raise the pH of any water up to the max pH of 14. However no one in the right frame of mind will drink this alkaline beverage from such chemical concotion.

2) Alkaline water can be alkalized through minerals. However there is limitations to this. Think of this as trying to dissolve sugar in a cup of tea... there is a saturation pt.. dissolving minerals behave the same.. as such high pH is almost impossible. Futhermore mineral derived from this is compound based and not ions. thus it is not very beneficial as the body requires ions to function not compounds.

3) Alkaline water can be derived from ionization method where mineral compounds are broken apart.. thus one 1 side u have high alkaline water with high concentration of mineral IONS while on the other high acidic water with lots of acidic ions. As the body requires ions to function. giving it ions will help ones body greatly.

Another aspect other than alkaline water is antioxidants. We all know antioxidants are extremely important to prevent premature aging... mutant cell etc.... that why alot of people are taking antioxidants supplements. Therefore the more antioxidants... the merrier. (3) has lots of this ability as it uses electricity (2) has a tiny bit of it due to bio stones etc... but to change the cartridges.. it cost an arm and leg eventually.

I subscribe to (3) Do consider carefully on all fronts the requirements of the family like i have and not get caught up with marketing advertisments. Read the science inside them to understand more before buying anything.

cheers

gkbt,that's a very detailed explanation on alkaline water. Do you have any recommendation for system that purely do water filtration? I have come across so many different brand and yet to decide which to get.

These are the few brands that I have found so far :

1) 3M Water Purification System - AP Easy Complete (http://solutions.3m.com.sg/wps/portal/3M/en_SG/WPS/main/)

2) Hyflux Ultra Filter HF1P (http://www.hyfluxconsumer.com/product/view/4)

3) SwissPro SMART (http://www.swisspro.sg/water-solutions/res.../swisspro-smart)

4) EvoPure Residential PW12 (http://evopuresingapore.com/)

5) UltraPure Water system (http://www.ultrapure.com.sg/DW-KwikChange.html)

6) SoPure Water Filters (http://waterfilter.com.sg/index.php?option...=7&Itemid=2)

I'm not very sound in the science part of water filter system like filter finest or membrane contained so hope you can advice me on this as well. Thanks!

Cheers

[gkbt 8]

gkbt,that's a very detailed explanation on alkaline water. Do you have any recommendation for system that purely do water filtration? I have come across so many different brand and yet to decide which to get.

These are the few brands that I have found so far :

1) 3M Water Purification System - AP Easy Complete (http://solutions.3m.com.sg/wps/portal/3M/en_SG/WPS/main/)

2) Hyflux Ultra Filter HF1P (http://www.hyfluxconsumer.com/product/view/4)

3) SwissPro SMART (http://www.swisspro.sg/water-solutions/res.../swisspro-smart)

4) EvoPure Residential PW12 (http://evopuresingapore.com/)

5) UltraPure Water system (http://www.ultrapure.com.sg/DW-KwikChange.html)

6) SoPure Water Filters (http://waterfilter.com.sg/index.php?option...=7&Itemid=2)

I'm not very sound in the science part of water filter system like filter finest or membrane contained so hope you can advice me on this as well. Thanks!

Cheers

Hi payton

Always look at the cost of the system + the recurring cost to buy filters + possible servicing cost as well. All this will factor in when u buy a filter system. For filtration system.. it should not cost very expenive but has the maximum beneifts... afterall we are S'poreans right?

My evaluation is based on my personal preference as if the bottom 5 Co. are the only ones in the world.

1) 3M Water Purification System - AP Easy Complete (http://solutions.3m.com.sg/wps/portal/3M/en_SG/WPS/main/)

Uses 0.5M filteration system

2) Hyflux Ultra Filter HF1P (http://www.hyfluxconsumer.com/product/view/4)

uses 0.01M

3) SwissPro SMART (http://www.swisspro.sg/water-solutions/res.../swisspro-smart)

0.2M

4) EvoPure Residential PW12 (http://evopuresingapore.com/)

0.01M

5) UltraPure Water system (http://www.ultrapure.com.sg/DW-KwikChange.html)

0.1 - 0.3M

6) SoPure Water Filters (http://waterfilter.com.sg/index.php?option...=7&Itemid=2)

looks like ceramic which would be 0.2M

If u really ask me between these 5. I would recommend u to take hyflux or evopure. But pls compare the cost of the system, filters, warranty etc. Do not be taken in by salesmanship as in "u only need 1 filter per year" but more like how much water are u using from this system. Usually consummers use between 12 - 20L per day for drinking and cooking. and if that is the case u might need more than 1 per year = cost goes up. If the system cannot tell you when to change the filter... its going to be difficult as using a filter too long will breed bacteria which would contaminte your water by dumping its waste into your cup of water. Think of it as drinking bateria "poo" eww

That is the reason why i did not choose a filter system alone but an water ionizer as it has a filter 0.01M and with ionization technology i get alot more bang for my buck.. including removing bacteria acidic waste. But thats just me.

Hope it helps!

[payton 0]

Hi payton

Always look at the cost of the system + the recurring cost to buy filters + possible servicing cost as well. All this will factor in when u buy a filter system. For filtration system.. it should not cost very expenive but has the maximum beneifts... afterall we are S'poreans right?

My evaluation is based on my personal preference as if the bottom 5 Co. are the only ones in the world.

1) 3M Water Purification System - AP Easy Complete (http://solutions.3m.com.sg/wps/portal/3M/en_SG/WPS/main/)

Uses 0.5M filteration system

2) Hyflux Ultra Filter HF1P (http://www.hyfluxconsumer.com/product/view/4)

uses 0.01M

3) SwissPro SMART (http://www.swisspro.sg/water-solutions/res.../swisspro-smart)

0.2M

4) EvoPure Residential PW12 (http://evopuresingapore.com/)

0.01M

5) UltraPure Water system (http://www.ultrapure.com.sg/DW-KwikChange.html)

0.1 - 0.3M

6) SoPure Water Filters (http://waterfilter.com.sg/index.php?option...=7&Itemid=2)

looks like ceramic which would be 0.2M

If u really ask me between these 5. I would recommend u to take hyflux or evopure. But pls compare the cost of the system, filters, warranty etc. Do not be taken in by salesmanship as in "u only need 1 filter per year" but more like how much water are u using from this system. Usually consummers use between 12 - 20L per day for drinking and cooking. and if that is the case u might need more than 1 per year = cost goes up. If the system cannot tell you when to change the filter... its going to be difficult as using a filter too long will breed bacteria which would contaminte your water by dumping its waste into your cup of water. Think of it as drinking bateria "poo" eww

That is the reason why i did not choose a filter system alone but an water ionizer as it has a filter 0.01M and with ionization technology i get alot more bang for my buck.. including removing bacteria acidic waste. But thats just me.

Hope it helps!

That's a very constructive review on the 5 system. I will take note of the recurring cost and warranty.

Now that we have narrow down to 2 system, I think i can make better decision.

Will update the cost and recurring cost for the benefits of the rest soon.

Thanks so much gkbt.

Edited February 24, 2011 by payton

[linggie 0]

thanks all for the critical reviews!

i m still undecided whether alkaline water is a myth or not haha

http://hubpages.com/hub/healthalkalinewater

read alot but still fuzzy hah... or maybe alkaline water just really need more time to establish itself

[gkbt 8]

thanks all for the critical reviews!

i m still undecided whether alkaline water is a myth or not haha

http://hubpages.com/hub/healthalkalinewater

read alot but still fuzzy hah... or maybe alkaline water just really need more time to establish itself

Hi Linggie,

Alkaline ionized water technology has been established since the 1965! After the MOH in japan endorsed it as a medical technology n as a medical device. It's not been well established in Singapore until the last few years. Today we are being bombarded by everything n anything claiming to be produce alkaline water. (That was my purpose to help readers to have a better understanding on alkaline water

As our society here in Singapore starts to be aware of such functional technology available to us, we can make a better and well informed choice. However reading up is essential to avoid getting what you did not want in the first place.

Hope it helps

Edited March 21, 2011 by gkbt

[frederica 0]

I'm using Hyflux's e-Life which gives me micro-clustered water. I believe it is the most cost-efficient water filter which produces micro-clustered water. Hyflux's filters use ultrafiltration (UF), which ensures very clean and safe water. Somemore, it is a Singapore brand, simply good and cheap!

For alkaline water, I don't have any concern over it, as I'm sure that we are getting enough alkali from our food everyday, like milk and many veggie which has a high pH. I think having an alkali water filter is a waste of money (they cost unreasonably so much) if you have the right food.

[pixie 0]

I am using Hyflux Gurgle =)

[gkbt 8]

I'm using Hyflux's e-Life which gives me micro-clustered water. I believe it is the most cost-efficient water filter which produces micro-clustered water. Hyflux's filters use ultrafiltration (UF), which ensures very clean and safe water. Somemore, it is a Singapore brand, simply good and cheap!

For alkaline water, I don't have any concern over it, as I'm sure that we are getting enough alkali from our food everyday, like milk and many veggie which has a high pH. I think having an alkali water filter is a waste of money (they cost unreasonably so much) if you have the right food.

Hi Fredica,

To be honest, the term micro clusters are vaguely used and misrepresented by people selling water filters. There is a difference between small clusters and micro clusters. An example of such misrepresentation would be like this: anything that is alkaline is above the pH value of 7 ( the pH range is from 1 (acid) and 14 (alkaline) and neutral is 7) most filter companies will tell customers that their water is alkaline. But if u ask them how alkaline is alkaline? U might get a very disappointed answer... 7.5? 8? 8.5? 9? In the alkaline scale of 7.1 - 14 those numbers are extremely low. But u can't say they are outright lying... Its marketing afterall.

Coming to water clusters is the same. hertz (frequency) in which water is tested to determine the size should be asked. Again u might get a disappointing answer in the form of a blur look or an unintelligent answer.

The fact is this, filters are created to filter nothing more n nothing less is expected of it. However because of the high quality water in Singapore, filter companies have to reinvent themselves to keep their market share. As consumers look for better quality (functional) water, filter companies used the same advantages of functional systems to sell their own product. The sales person lack of knowledge proves that they do not need to know the finer details as the info is on the box so it had them. How it got there.... Don't know (don't care?)

Coming to Hyflux. I must admit that they are a very good Singapore company. However consumer products stand at 1% of their interest. What is majority will get their attention, what is minority is considered unwanted. It just a branding exercise to improve public awareness.

Bottom line is this if one is looking for filters, the pls go and find one that is reliable and affordable. If one is looking for a functional system the same thing applies. Filters cannot provide health benefits without functional water technology (ionization or magnetic resonance) neither functional water system can provide filtration without filters.

On the vegetables aspect, if we can consume 4 servings of fruits n vegs for every serving of meat (HPB) recommendation. Then we are in the 1% of the world population. This 1% belongs to the gym.. For every large bowl of green vegs they have some strips of white chicken.

On a side note water is important. Be it functional or tap water, we need 2-3L a day to hydrate but also detox. If the quantity of water we drink is lesser, not only r we dehydrated we are also storing toxins in our systems. Overtime this will lead to diseases. A prominent iranian doctor wrote in a book. Titled we are not sick but thirsty! How true how true....

[bibimbap 0]

If want to drink clean water, I would suggest you to get RO system. Not cheap, but most effective I would say.

My suggestion of RO system would consist followings:

1. Pre-filter - to remove dirt

2. Pre-carbon filter

3. RO filter

4. Post-carbon filter.

All the big beverage companies use this kind of systems to purify the water.

[frederica 0]

i'm however aware that RO may not be a good idea because it removes all the essential minerals which keep us healthy. water treatment plant, Newater plant and desalination plant actually added in minerals like fluoride and sodium to the treated water to protect us. an RO system at home will just remove them again.

[gkbt 8]

i'm however aware that RO may not be a good idea because it removes all the essential minerals which keep us healthy. water treatment plant, Newater plant and desalination plant actually added in minerals like fluoride and sodium to the treated water to protect us. an RO system at home will just remove them again.

That is spot on frederica.

Just ask yourselves why our Singapore government does not send RO (new water) directly to your homes? The answer is very clear....

Just to add... Deionized water/ RO water / distilled water etc were NEVER created for human consumption in the 1st place. It was created in mind of the industry its was need to be in. Overtime, to increase profits... companies started to market it to the largest industry.. OUR HOMES.....

The fact that some unscruplous sales people going around housing estates claiming that singaporeans water are contaminated and to prove the point add a chemical solution to normal PUB water and it turns dirty while adding to their water, it still is clear.

To explain, the chemical used is to detect mineral and thus the "dirt" becomes visible while RO / Distilled water do not have minerals and thus the "dirt" is not visible.

I hope anyone who see this can explain to friends and relatives who have experience such schemes...

[babygal83 0]

I intend to install a water filtration system in my new home. But I haven't really had much time to do much research.

After going through some links listed here, I realised all need a 2nd tap for this system. Is there any system where I do not need an extra tap?

[gkbt 8]

GenDan,

Thank you again for your advertisment Evopure.

For the bebefits of those who did not managed to read what i written in my earlier post below will be it.

To be honest here, we should not just be talking about alkaline water. It so common to hear companies that are offering alkaline water. This not only complicates matters as alkaline water is dervied from many ways but not understood by many.

Let me help break it down for interested people who wants to know more.

1) Alkaline water can be made using chemicals. Think NaOH (sodium hydroxide aka caustic soda) this will raise the pH of any water up to the max pH of 14. However no one in the right frame of mind will drink this alkaline beverage from such chemical concotion.

2) Alkaline water can be alkalized through minerals. However there is limitations to this. Think of this as trying to dissolve sugar in a cup of tea... there is a saturation pt.. dissolving minerals behave the same.. as such high pH is almost impossible. Futhermore mineral derived from this is compound based and not ions. thus it is not very beneficial as the body requires ions to function not compounds. Stones which form in the body could be due to high mineral compound consumption.

3) Alkaline water can be derived from ionization method where mineral compounds are broken apart.. thus one 1 side u have high alkaline water with high concentration of mineral IONS while on the other high acidic water with lots of acidic ions. As the body requires ions to function. giving it ions will help ones body greatly. As the acidic mineral ions are removed from the body, there is no chance stones can form in the body.

Another aspect other than alkaline water is antioxidants. We all know antioxidants are extremely important to prevent premature aging... mutant cell etc.... that why alot of people are taking antioxidants supplements. Therefore the more antioxidants... the merrier. (3) has lots of this ability as it uses electricity (2) has a tiny bit of it due to bio stones etc... but to change the cartridges.. it cost an arm and leg eventually.

I subscribe to (3) and the recurring cost is S$100+ a year only. Do consider carefully on all fronts the requirements of the family like i have and not get caught up with marketing advertisments. Read the science inside them to understand more before buying anything.

cheers

to babygal83,

There are many systems out there that do not need an extra tap. Do look around the thread to find out some of the more reputable companies mentioned and make an informed choice.

Now that I know the price of Evopure... I will definately recommend hyflux as the better of the 2 given the list by payton in the earlier post. The filters costing of evopure eventhough is S$400 now is actually S$500 in actual retail price. This is what I have been telling people, the use of biostones, minerals etc. to achieve alkalinity, miroclusters and antioxidants is not only EXTREMELY expensive, but the ability is limited or at later part of the filter life is NEGLIGABLE. This is not what sales people will tell you when you 1st buy it.

The fact is customers do not test the quality of their water from their machines year in year out is as much as a concern as those who are trying to over sell them a system as well.

time to go for my morning exercise.

Cheers!

[tom_kkh 0]

hi guys,

i can get from factory direct for this singapore brand www.concept520.com

they have years of experience in filters and a retail shop in City square link. do go and have a feel of the system if yu wan it and let me know the model so i can source from their factory.

Singapore selling at $1300 for the 6 filter nano alkaline water system. I can get about $800 direct from their malaysia factory.

warranty will be 1 yr and all accessories can be bought in Singapore for replacement if necessary.

anyone interested do pm me.

[gkbt 8]

It's nice to know that you can get it at a steep discount. However I believe the cost of the system should not even be 60% of the selling price after shipment to Singapore.

Recently i got to know a person who used to do hylux. The e filters they getodeon factory is a mere fraction of the selling price they were selling the systems here.

Thus I think it's still not really direct but merely a higher discount and cutting out the agent here.

However this system is still an alkaline water wannabe whose main role is the filter rather than to provide Health benefits. A check with the company show they are dealing with all kinds of water systems ( which is why it is based in Malaysia), so I dun think they are focused on health but rather to have a complete water solution for customers.

Just my personal opinion