Maintenance cost and after Sales service of Water purifiers (Mumbai)

[Criminal]

So if I were to buy this, does it even do anything other than pass water through the sediment and carbon filters or whatever their Germkill Kit is ?

I've dissected the replacement filters of such units. Older non-MF units use extra carbon filters. Newer ones (called advanced) use Micro Filters.

Germkill uses chemicals to neutralize germs. Sediment filters, if present, are a joke on such small units. Activated Carbon filter, if present, performs its job as efficiently as on other costlier units. Polisher module fixes the smell of chemicals and enhances the taste of water. Polisher too contains activated carbon/charcoal.

Chlorine would just evaporate after sometime but Chloramine won't. But Indian water needs some kind of residual protection. Chloramine, any chlorine byproducts and the smell can be tackled by activated carbon... easily.

BTW, UF has finer pores than MF.

 

[NotMyRealName]

From my old research I've felt that UF is the best method. Assuming the -negatives would be filtration time and membrane cleaning. Also assuming UF will do the job without any additional cleaning elements. Not counting odor/taste as a factor just yet (unless UF takes care of this too). Also assuming UF doesn't sterilize water like RO, leaving it with some natural content.

But I see from what you're saying, is that for most minucipal water, MF is good enough, the chlorine injection removes the usual germs and the carbon filter then removes the chemical agents. My doubt here is, would the short duration from chemical injection to carbon filter be enough time to kill the germs?

Also, any suggestions for a good UF filter if going that route. Why is it all UFs are some strange SMB made and not the big brands?[DOUBLEPOST=1473265529][/DOUBLEPOST]Also one more doubt. The filters and germkill modules need periodic replacement. For one person, does the cost equate to buying 20L bottled water. ~2,500 per year.

 

[rdst_1]

The Tata Swach filter with Silver and MF membrane costs 850 and supposedly works for 3000L of water. Ours usually lasts at least six months for a 3 member household.

 

[Criminal]

I am sorry if my post appears to lean in favor of MF based filters. I was just explaining what Pureit non-electrics do. Pureit Advanced is MF based and Classic is not.

The kind of filter you need is based upon what you need to filter. Unless you know what's in your water, there's no point in buying any random filter.

But UF is the best option if you don't want to do any research. It filters almost all the harmful stuff without affecting the TDS. Some viruses and other stuff may pass thru. Don't know if silver impregnated cartridges can zap them. Adding UV is another option.

Also one more doubt. The filters and germkill modules need periodic replacement. For one person, does the cost equate to buying 20L bottled water. ~2,500 per year.

How much liters do you consume? Replacement filters for such gravity fed systems cost same across the brands (they have to be!). Pureit kits cost Rs 850 for 3000 liters. Lesser capacity versions are also available. UF cartridges will be many times cheaper.

Also, any suggestions for a good UF filter if going that route. Why is it all UFs are some strange SMB made and not the big brands?

Many reasons. All big brands manufacture UFs but the way they advertise multi-stage purifiers, people automatically tilt towards their costlier models. Even the local dealers try to push ROs because they give them steady business in terms of AMCs. As they are very simple to maintain, cost less, last long, there's very less profit margin in UF business. Also, they are tediously slow and need manual intervention - which is a hassle for busy folks in cities. So, people often overlook them. Or they buy the electric version.

Can't suggest you any latest UF models as I am using quite an old one - Anjali (used to be popular back then). Since all the big names make them, your best option is to checkout which model's replacement kits are easily available locally.

My doubt here is, would the short duration from chemical injection to carbon filter be enough time to kill the germs?

If your only worry is the "time of contact" then be assured, the whole process is quite slow .

 

[NotMyRealName]

First, Criminal, you are awesome! thanks for taking the time to write so much information. rdst_1, you were also very helpful in clearing up some doubts.

My water is municipal, pretty clean, not hard, just smells of chlorine. I use about 2-3 litres a day on average so lets say 7-800 litres a year.

From what i've just learnt, i'm going to stay away from chemical purifiers. I'm just not comfortable with trusting the filters to remove those chemicals fully. Also don't trust/want UV. The silver option is a slight maybe, but i'm REALLY leaning towards UF. I'm a hardcore DIY guy, I do all my own (and sometimes others' lol) electrical and plumbing. So cleaning, maintaining & backflushing the unit is not an issue. Also pressured or gravity fed is also not an issue. For my low daily usage I think even gravity would work well enough.

I've heard too many horror stories which are even worse than the usual big brand amc stories, so am really apprehensive of trying out the relatively unknown small scale UF brands. Anyways, starting my hunt for a good UF.