Coldstream FTO+ Laboratory Tests

Coldstream FTO+ water filters stand out for their effectiveness, particularly for their reduction of nitrates and fluoride and because the lab tests are carried out on several thousand liters of water. Most other water filter manufacturers do not test for the effectiveness of the water filters after thousands of liters have passed through the filters. Coldstream endeavors to be as transparent as possible with its customers.

Coldstream has been successfully tested according to the following standards and methods:

  • NSF/ANSI 42 Aesthetic effects
  • NSF/ANSI 53 Health effects
  • NSF P231 microbiological purifier
  • USA EPA Method 200.8 Determination of metals and trace elements in water and waste
  • US EPA Method 505-2.1 Analysis of organic pesticides and commercial polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) products in water
  • USA EPA Method 508.1-2 Chlorinated pesticides, herbicides and organohalides in water by GCECD
  • USA EPA Method 515-2 Chlorinated acids
  • USA EPA Method 524-2 Measurement of purgeable organic compounds in water
  • USA EPA Method 525-2 Organic Compounds in Drinking Water
  • USA EPA Method MS301(a) A colorimetric test based on an indicator strip for nitrates (NO3) in water and soil.

Standards and laboratories:

Testing is performed according to NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53 and P231 by Envirotek Inc, New Jersey USA, EPA ID # NJ01298 NJ. 

Their laboratory complies with all laboratory certification and quality control procedures and requirements set forth in NJAC 7:18; NYCRR Subpart 55-2, National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) standards, and ISO 17025.

The filters were tested using a Coldstream system according to NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and P231 standards for the reduction of listed substances. The reduction in the concentration of substances in water has been reduced to a value less than or equal to the limit for water leaving the system, as specified in NSF/ANSI 42, 53 and P231.

To ensure that Coldstream products meet consistently high standards, Coldstream has implemented a series of strict quality control procedures. 

Finished filters are regularly tested to determine pore size, flow rate, bubble point and compressive strength, confirming that each batch will perform perfectly. 

In addition to this, the effluent water they produce undergoes sensory evaluation and chemical testing to ensure that all contaminants have been removed.

Manufacture:

Coldstream uses an innovative manufacturing method for its filters, which relies on high-pressure molding of ceramic. This technique makes it possible to produce filters with an extremely fine and uniform porous structure, which significantly improves their ability to remove contaminants from water, such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, heavy metals, and chemicals.

This high pressure process ensures that the filter material, a mixture of ceramic and activated carbon, is compacted to maximize the filtration surface while maintaining optimal porosity. This allows Coldstream filters to offer excellent filtration performance, long life and high efficiency in reducing contaminants, while maintaining acceptable water flow.

This approach differs from more traditional methods of producing ceramic filters, where the pressure applied may be lower, resulting in less controlled porosity and potentially less consistent filtration performance.

By integrating cutting-edge technologies and high-quality materials into their manufacturing process, Coldstream ensures its filters meet the highest standards for water purification.

Coldstream's scientific transparency: an absolute reference in gravity filtration

At Coldstream, scientific transparency takes precedence over marketing. This philosophy makes our water filtration systems more serious, more transparent and more reliable than those usually offered on the market.

Why choose Pure Filters systems equipped with Coldstream FTO+ filters?

1. The widest filtration range on the market

Coldstream FTO+ water filters cover the filtration of more than 230 rigorously monitored substances, including:

  • Virus (Rotavirus)
  • Bacteria
  • Parasites
  • Heavy metals
  • Microplastics
  • HAA5 (Haloacetic Acids)
  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Pesticides
  • Around thirty common medications

These performances are clearly documented in our lab test sheets carried out according to IAPMO /ISO 17025 standards. For comparison, competitors typically publish between 60 and 125 parameters tested; Berkey achieves around 125 parameters on a single laboratory test, while ProOne achieves around 160 substances, but tested on ten times lower water volumes.

2. Full access to raw testing data

Coldstream provides comprehensive and transparent data, with detailed results indicating for each contaminant:

  • Initial concentration (influential)
  • Final concentration after filtration (effluent)
  • Accurate reduction rates at different volumes processed (4000 L, 5000 L, 6000 L)

For example, for aluminum: < 1 μg/L at 4,000 L, 18 μg/L at 5,000 L, 24 μg/L at 6,000 L, a constant reduction greater than 99%.

This data allows our users to verify for themselves the exceptional consistency of performance over several years of domestic use, a unique transparency in the gravity filter market.

In summary:

Coldstream does not limit itself to announcing performances greater than 99% on low volumes of water tested in the laboratory. We publish all the results obtained in full in realistic and relevant volumes for daily use. This dual requirement, exhaustive coverage of filtered substances and total transparency on raw data, positions Coldstream as the most transparent, serious and honest brand on the gravity filter market.

Why do some results show differences for the same contaminant?

(Example: cadmium)

It sometimes happens that test results show different reduction percentages for the same contaminant, which may legitimately be surprising. Take the example of cadmium, which appears in our technical sheets Pure Filters equipped with Coldstream FTO+.

  • In the independent report produced by the Envirotek/IAPMO laboratory, the reduction in cadmium is indicated at 41.3%. This figure corresponds to the lowest performance measured over the entire test, that is to say the least favorable value observed at a given moment during the complete filtration cycle up to 3000 liters.
  • On the other hand, in our own technical sheets, the figure presented is 94.87%. This percentage corresponds precisely to the cadmium reduction efficiency measured at the end of the 3000 liters filtered.

We favor this transparent approach so that you can clearly understand and appreciate the real performance of our filters under normal conditions of use. If you would like further explanation of these methodologies or the test results, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@purefilters-europe.com. We will be happy to enlighten you further.

Why do we see two different results regarding cadmium reduction, andhow to interpret it?

When you consult the results of contaminant reduction tests, particularly for cadmium, you can observe two distinct figures for the same filter:

  • 41.3% (independent Envirotek/IAPMO report)
  • 94.87% (Pure Filters Coldstream FTO+ datasheet)

This difference is simply explained by two complementary methodological approaches:

  • Envirotek/IAPMO displays the least favorable result measured during the entire duration of the 3000 liter test. This figure therefore represents the extreme scenario, that is to say the lowest performance observed at a specific moment in the test.
  • Pure Filters Coldstream FTO+ indicates the precisely measured result at the end of the test (after 3000 liters), thus providing a clear vision of the actual performance of the filter at the end of its maximum recommended capacity.

In summary, how to interpret these results?

  • Even in the least favorable scenario (41.3%), the filter remains capable of eliminating a significant quantity of cadmium.
  • At the end of the test (94.87%), the filter demonstrates high and stable filtration performance, ensuring excellent water quality over the long term.

This transparency is voluntary and reflects our desire to inform you honestly about the real capabilities of our filters. You can therefore confidently use your Coldstream FTO+ equipped Pure Filters water filter, knowing that it maintains optimal efficiency throughout its recommended lifespan.

Important: Cartridges using activated carbon should be replaced every 6 to 8 months maximum, because activated carbon remains fully efficient and stable during this period.

Laboratory tests

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