TAPP ​WATER ​Cartridges

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  ​How can I dispose of my TAPP Water biodegradable refill cartridges?
  TAPP Water refill cartridges are entirely made out of non-toxic materials which remain inert after decomposing. The cartridges contain a high percentage of biodegradable and compostable material and can be disposed of with organic waste. This organic waste ends up in an industrial composting plant where the cartridge breaks down within 1-2 months. Alternatively, it can be discarded with general waste, where it will break down within a couple of years in a landfill or be burned without causing any plastic residue. It will also take a couple of years to break down in a garden compost, so not recommended.
  Note, that the device itself (without the refills) is made out of highly recyclable ABS polymers, and can be disposed of with plastic waste.
  
  
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  ​How often do I need to replace the TAPP Water filter refill cartridge?
  TAPP Water filters are tested to effectively absorb chemicals of between 1200-1500 liters of water (depending on original water quality) or 2-3 months of water usage for an average household. We cannot ensure water is microbiologically safe after 3 months since the first use. Even if they are not used frequently as the filter will lose its adsorption capability over time if not replaced and thus no longer remove chemicals, bad taste and odor.
  
  
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  ​Why does the TAPP Water filter cartridge need to be replaced every 3 months?
  The lifetime of the filter cartridge depends on your water consumption as well as on the quality of the filtered tap water. In an average household of 3-4 people, the cartridge will last about three months. In order to ensure the longest possible lifespan of the cartridge, please avoid running hot (> 100ºF) or high-pressure water through the cartridge/filter part of the device. Also, it is important not to use the cartridge for more than 3 months as there is a risk of bacteria accumulating inside the carbon block.
  
  
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  ​How can I buy additional refill cartridges?
  You can purchase refill cartridges in our Shop.
  
  
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  ​Are there any test reports for TAPP Water?
  Of course there are test reports for the TAPP Water Filter:
  Los Angeles, US
  New York, US
  Barcelona, Spain
  
  
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• ​Is filtered water safe for babies?
  As parents, we all want what's best for our babies. Two of TAPP Water's co-founders recently became parents, and they spent a lot of time researching this issue before coming to a decision.
  
  
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  ​What advantages does it have over osmosis?
  Reverse osmosis is an amazing technological innovation that converts seawater into drinking water in areas around the world where freshwater is in short supply. It's also highly effective at cleaning contaminated wastewater in industrial settings. It can be a good option for household water under certain circumstances (e.g. kidney failure). However, in most cases mains water is safe to drink, and a high-quality activated carbon tap filter will give you great-tasting drinking water at a lower cost and with less wastage.
  
  
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  ​How does the activated/granulated carbon filter process work?
  Activated carbon filters are capable of working miracles, or near enough. They successfully remove contaminants and unpleasant smells and tastes from tap water. But how do they work and do you need one? Here's a simple overview of how active carbon filters work, what they remove and the limitations.
  
  
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  ​What’s the filters’ absorption capacity?
  Each filter highly effectively removes the chemicals from 1200–1500 liters of water (depending on original water quality), the equivalent of 3 months of average household water usage. We recommend replacing the cartridge after 3 months even if you haven't filtered 1200-1500 liters. This is because the filters become saturated with contaminants over time and there is a risk of bacterial growth after 3 months. This happens with all activated carbon filters.
  
  
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  Do I need to remove the filter if I want unfiltered water?
  No, you don't need to remove the filter. All you need to do is twist the little lever on the side of your filter to switch between filtered and unfiltered water.
  
  
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  What should I do if I’m not sure if the filter is compatible with my tap?
  Our system is compatible with 95% of round taps with threaded spouts (which is what the filter attaches to).
  
  
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  Why should we stop buying bottled water? Isn’t it safer and better tasting?
  It's safe and healthy to drink, and also much cheaper than bottled water. Tap water in Europe and North America is subject to regular and rigorous controls. TAPP Water filters remove substances found in distribution networks (like heavy metals in areas with old pipes), as well as chlorine, which can often make water taste unpleasant. What's more, filtered tap water is more environmentally friendly than bottled water. Bottled water's CO2 footprint comes not only from its production, but also from its transport and distribution. And finally, but no less importantly, TAPP Water filters make life so much easier, as you no longer have to carry heavy bottles of water home from the supermarket.
  
  
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  Can I filter hot and cold water with my filter?
  It's not advisable to use the filter with hot water. The materials in the replacement cartridge's housing aren't designed to withstand high temperatures and may melt. If you need hot water, simply twist the lever and use the water without filtering it.
  
  
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  Are the filters easy to install and use?
  Yes, really easy. Installing the filter takes less than a minute — simply screw it onto the tap nozzle
  
  
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  What advantages does it have over filter pitchers?
  Few things are as annoying as being thirsty and going to the kitchen to get water, only to find that someone has forgotten to fill the filter pitcher. TAPP Water users never have that bother, however, because their filtered water comes straight from the tap. And it comes out instantly, with the ability to choose between filtered and non-filtered water with just the turn of a small switch. Our tap water filter lasts 3 times as long, filters 15 times as much water, and uses advanced technology to eliminate even microplastics and heavy metals. Because of this, the water tastes much better. In addition, our annual subscription is cheaper than the most popular filter pitchers. And with filter pitchers, the cartridge has to be changed every month.
  
  
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  Does it remove limescale? / Does it remove calcium?
  Filter cartridges effectively minimize limescale concentration. How? 
  
• Basically there are two methods
  a)     remove the calcium and magnesium ions from the water, so that calcium and magnesium carbonates cannot form
  b)     prevent calcium and magnesium ions from forming calcium and magnesium carbonates.
  Method A: Water softeners using e.g. ion exchange resins, swap the calcium ions for sodium ions. This is why the water becomes salty. Water softeners typically separate out the calcium and magnesium ions as waste water.
  Method B: TAPP Water Our proprietary limescale inhibitor forms a complex with inorganic contaminants and prevents them from forming hard scale, staining, etc. It forms a protective coating of insoluble mineral scale in the coffee maker, tea kettle, water pitchers, etc. The positive thing is that Calcium and Magnesium does not get reduced and the water doesn’t taste salty. On the negative side you may still have some white grains/bubbles in the water from the Calcium and Magnesium ions.
  Note: Our proprietary limescale inhibitor uses Polyphosphate which is commonly used as an alternative to water softeners. For whatever reason we are the first to use it.
  
  
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  ​The filter removes fluoride?
  TAPP Water filters reduce up to 80% of Fluoride. Fluoride is the result of water passage through rocks. Fluoride comes from fluorine, which is a common, natural, and abundant element. Fluoride is naturally present at low concentration in most fresh and saltwater sources, as well as in rainwater, particularly in urban areas. At its normal rate of 0.7-1.2 ppm, Fluoride reduces teeth cavities. Excessive exposure to fluoride has been linked to a number of health issues such as bone disease and parathyroid gland damage. The MAL is 4 mg/L for Europe and the US.
  
  
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  How do I know if my filter is working?
  All TAPP-Water products are tested and certified according to strict independent lab standards and NSF specifications you can see the lab results.
  
  
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• Which contaminants does it remove?
  Based on our testing and research, the 5-stage removes 100+ potential substances from tap water and reduces more than 30 others.
  
  
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  How does TAPP Water compare with bottled water?
  Bottled water is no healthier or safer than tap water. What's more, plastic water bottles' value chain has a massive environmental footprint.
  
  
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  Will it remove my water’s unpleasant taste?
  Our filters remove unpleasant tastes and smells, as well as chlorine, microplastics and over 100 other water contaminants. What's more, they maintain essential minerals like calcium, potassium and magnesium.