FAQ

General Questions

What is the difference between a water filter and a water softener?

A water filter purifies water by removing impurities like sediment, chlorine, bacteria, and heavy metals, ensuring safe drinking water with better taste. A water softener reduces water hardness by removing calcium and magnesium through ion exchange, preventing limescale buildup in pipes and appliances, and improving washing efficiency. Filters focus on drinking water safety, while softeners address hard water issues like scale and soap residue. You may need both based on your water quality.

Water filters ensure safe drinking water by removing harmful contaminants, improving health and taste. Softeners prevent limescale, extend the life of appliances like geysers and washing machines, and enhance soap lathering for bathing and cleaning. Unpurified water can cause health issues, plumbing damage, or problems like dry skin and stained utensils.
Test your water to check its quality. Home test kits or a report from your local water authority (e.g., municipal supply or borewell) can show hardness levels (measured in ppm or mg/L) and contaminants like bacteria or heavy metals. If hardness exceeds 180 mg/L (10 ppm), a softener is ideal. If tests show impurities, a filter is necessary. For both issues, a combination system works best.
Water filters designed for drinking water (e.g., reverse osmosis or carbon filters) are safe and remove harmful contaminants. Water softeners add sodium or potassium during ion exchange, so softened water may not be ideal for drinking, especially for those on low-sodium diets. Retain an unsoftened tap for drinking or install a reverse osmosis system for the kitchen.

Buy from trusted suppliers with NSF/ANSI certifications (e.g., NSF/ANSI 44 for softeners, 53 for health-related contaminants, or 58 for reverse osmosis). Check for customer reviews, and warranties. Ensure the system suits your household size and water usage.

Water Filters

What types of water filters are available in India?
Common types include:
  • Reverse Osmosis (RO): Removes dissolved solids, heavy metals, and bacteria, ideal for borewell or municipal water with high TDS (Total Dissolved Solids).
  • Ultraviolet (UV): Kills bacteria and viruses, suitable for microbiologically unsafe water.
  • Activated Carbon Filters: Removes chlorine, odours, and organic compounds, often paired with RO or UV.
  • Sediment Filters: Traps dirt, sand, or rust, used in whole-house or pre-filter systems. Most Indian households prefer wall-mounted or over-the-sink filters for kitchen use due to their compact design and ease of installation.
Replacement frequency depends on the filter type and water usage. Activated carbon filters typically need replacement every 3-6 months, while RO membranes can last up to a year or two with proper maintenance. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and replace cartridges promptly to prevent bacterial growth or reduced effectiveness.
Yes, filters like activated carbon or reverse osmosis remove chlorine, metals, and other compounds that cause bad taste or odor.
Whole-house filters purify all water entering your home, ideal for addressing sediment or widespread impurities. Wall-mounted or over-the-sink filters (RO/UV) focus on drinking and cooking water, popular in Indian kitchens due to their compact design and easy access. Choose based on your water quality and family size.
  • RO Filters: Remove heavy metals (e.g., arsenic, lead), fluoride, nitrates, and bacteria, ideal for high-TDS water.
  • UV Filters: Eliminate bacteria and viruses, ensuring microbiological safety.
  • Carbon Filters: Remove chlorine, pesticides, and organic compounds, improving taste and odour.
  • Sediment Filters: Capture large particles like sand or rust. Test your water to select the right filter for your needs.
Reverse osmosis forces water through a semipermeable membrane, removing up to 99% of dissolved solids, including lead, arsenic, and PFAS ("forever chemicals"). Unlike carbon filters, RO doesn’t regenerate and requires annual sanitization and membrane replacement every year or two.
RO systems are typically wall-mounted or placed over the sink in Indian kitchens for drinking and cooking water. They require a power supply and space for the unit. Professional installation ensures compliance with local plumbing standards.

Water Softeners

What is hard water, and why is it a problem?

Hard water contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, measured in grains per gallon (gpg) or mg/L. It causes limescale buildup in pipes and appliances, reduces soap efficiency, and leads to dry skin, faded clothes, and water spots on dishes. A water softener eliminates these issues by removing hardness minerals.

Water softeners use ion exchange, where resin beads coated with sodium or potassium attract calcium and magnesium ions, replacing them with softer ions. The system periodically regenerates by flushing the beads with a brine solution to remove trapped minerals. Dual-tank softeners provide continuous soft water, ideal for high-demand homes or well water.
Check salt levels monthly, keeping them above 50% to prevent limescale return. Refill with high-quality softener salt (available as tablets, granules, or blocks). Perform annual servicing, including resin bed cleaning and system sanitization. Backwash systems regularly to prevent bacterial buildup.
Yes, softeners reduce limescale, extending the life of geysers, washing machines, and dishwashers. They also lower soap and detergent use, saving up to ₹5,000-₹10,000 annually for some Indian households.
Salt-free conditioners use alternative methods (e.g., template-assisted crystallization) to prevent scale without removing minerals. They require less maintenance but are less effective for very hard water (above 10 gpg). Salt-based softeners are better for severe hardness.

Installation and Maintenance

Can I install a water filter or softener myself?
Wall-mounted RO or UV filters are often DIY-friendly with clear instructions. Whole-house filters or softeners require professional installation for proper plumbing and compliance with Indian standards. Hire a certified technician for complex setups.
  • Filters: Replace cartridges as recommended (every 3-12 months for most filters).
  • Softeners: Refill salt monthly, backwash regularly, and service annually. Follow manufacturer guidelines to ensure performance and prevent bacterial growth.
  • RO Systems: Sanitize annually and replace membranes every year or two depending in usage of water and quality of membrane used in filter. Follow manufacturer guidelines and schedule regular maintenance to prevent bacterial growth or system failure.
Whole-house filters or salt-free conditioners may slightly reduce pressure due to filtration media. Wall-mounted RO/UV systems typically don’t affect pressure significantly. Choose systems with adequate flow rates for Indian households (e.g., 8-12 LPH for RO).

Health and Safety

Is softened water safe for pets or plants?
Softened water is safe for pets but contains sodium, so provide filtered or unsoftened water for drinking. Avoid softened water for plants, as sodium can harm them. Use RO or unsoftened water for gardening.
UV and RO filters effectively remove bacteria and viruses, crucial for microbiologically unsafe water in some Indian regions. Carbon filters and softeners don’t address these contaminants. Choose RO+UV systems for comprehensive purification.
Well-maintained systems are safe. Neglected filters (e.g., unchanged cartridges) or softeners can harbor bacteria, especially in humid Indian climates. Follow maintenance schedules.
  • High TDS: Common in borewell water, leading to salty or bitter taste (TDS above 500 ppm requires RO filtration).
  • Bacteria and Viruses: Found in contaminated municipal or tanker water, causing waterborne diseases like typhoid or cholera.
  • Heavy Metals: Arsenic, lead, or fluoride in groundwater can cause long-term health issues.
  • Hard Water: High calcium and magnesium levels (above 180 mg/L) cause limescale, dry skin, and appliance damage.
  • Chemical Contaminants: Pesticides or industrial pollutants may be present in rural or industrial areas.
Boiling kills bacteria and viruses but does not remove dissolved solids, heavy metals, or chemicals like pesticides. For comprehensive purification, especially for borewell or high-TDS water, use a wall-mounted RO+UV filter to ensure safe drinking water.

Additional Questions

How can I test my water quality at home?

Use a portable TDS meter to measure Total Dissolved Solids (ppm) or a home test kit to check pH, hardness, chlorine, or heavy metals. These are affordable and available online or at local stores. For precise results, send a sample to an NABL-accredited lab for a comprehensive analysis, especially for borewell or tanker water.

Low-waste RO systems and salt-free conditioners reduce environmental impact. Choose models with efficient wastewater management.
Modern softeners are compatible with septic tanks, as softened water reduces soap usage, easing septic system load. Confirm compatibility with the manufacturer.
Contact our support team or request a free water quality consultation on our website. Our experts can recommend the best system for your home based on your water source (municipal, borewell, or tanker).