Carbon Filter Cartridges
Impregnated Paper
• Paper filters impregnated with carbon
• Last 3-6 months
• Should be inexpensive
• Only filter out the very largest contaminates
• Has the least amount of contact time

Granulated Carbon
• Last approximately 6 months
• Should be inexpensive
• A good filter but not the best
• Contact time can be limited due to channeling

Silver Granulated Carbon
• Last about one year
• Are generally more expensive due to the silver content
• Help prevent bacteria from growing in the filter when the system is unused for extended periods of time.
• Should be installed in the post filter side of the water system
• Comes with Clean Water America's Clean Stream Reverse Osmosis Water Purification System

Extruded Carbon: ****RECOMMENDED****
• Should last 9-12 months
• Should be inexpensive
• The best type of filtration available today. It is a hard compact carbon requiring the most contact time of water through the carbon.
• Comes on all Clean Water America's water systems.

Membranes
The membrane on the reverse osmosis unit is the heart of the system and is responsible for the actual purification process. There are only two kinds of membranes but many different levels of manufacturing quality. Membranes manufactured by Dow Chemical are the very best in the industry. www.dowchemical.com

Cellulose Triacetate (CTA) Membrane:
These membranes should be used for chlorinated supplies only. They last approximately 12-18 months and are generally inexpensive to replace. Bacteria will eat a hole in this membrane if chlorine is not present to protect it. It is the least effective membrane on the market.

Thin Film Composite (TFC) Membrane: ****Recommended****
This long life membrane is perfect for chlorinated and non-chlorinated water supplies. If used on a chlorinated water supply, a carbon filter cartridge must precede the membrane. The TFC membrane lasts 4-6 years and is the preferred membrane supplied in all Clean Water America's water purification systems.