Frequently Asked Questions

By purchasing the Tappwater filter (and not purchasing plastic bottle), one person saves 800 plastic bottles a year from entering the landfill (or ocean, or rivers). This helps to protect wildlife from consuming more plastics. Currently, the average person consume 40 lbs of micro-plastic in their lifetime. Tappwater filters reduce plastic pollution (which means less plastic ends up in our systems) AND by drinking less water out of plastic you are reducing the amount of micro-plastics in your own system. Micro-plastics leech into the water held by plastic bottles, particularly in warm weather. Tappwater filters out micro-plastics from tap water as well. 8% of the world's oil production goes to producing plastic bottles for water consumption. By consuming less plastic waste, you are reducing your environmental footprint as well.

– TAPP products uses the highest quality coconut shell-based carbon-block filter, used for maximum filtering of chemicals and improvement of taste. This was selected after testing over 40 different variants and building on from our original TAPP 1 filter. – TAPP products deliver more clean filtered water for the money than any pitcher, reverse osmosis or faucet filter available on the market today. – TAPP products are quicker than any pitcher, reverse osmosis or submersed charcoal filter. – TAPP products are the only filter with reusable refill cartridge casings so much less plastic waste when changing refill cartridges. – TAPP products are the only faucet water in Malta that has no plastic casing round the refill cartridges. – No wastage of water with TAPP products, just instant great tasting water. – Customer trust and safety is always our first priority. All product claims and information about TAPP filters are based on scientific facts and testing.

With the Ultra filter you can expect to save approximately 93-95% of the amount you usually spend on bottled water throughout the year. For example, a family of four drinks approximately 4000 litres of water in a year. If they are regularly buying bottle water (or other beverages), they spend approximately $4000EC a year on water. If that family purchased the Ultra plus their filters for the whole year (which produces the same amount of filtered water), they would spend $256EC. After that, each year is $162, spent only on the filters! So, $4000/year or $256/year or even $162/year? Which would you rather spend?

Public tap water in the Caribbean is subject to regular controls but many people do not like the taste, or trust the safety of their water. Filtered tap water is safe and healthy to drink and also much cheaper than bottled water. TAPP water filters additionally remove any contaminants as well as chlorine which is often the origin of poor tasting water. Filtered tap water is much more environmentally friendly than bottled water. Just consider the CO2 footprint of bottled water production, transportation and distribution. And last but not least, using a TAPP water filter is more convenient, as you can stop carrying heavy water bottles from the supermarket home.

ANTIBIOTICS/PHARMACEUTICALS Based on tests performed on the type of activated carbon block used in TAPP Water filters pharmaceuticals are reduced by 95% or more. This includes: Hormones: prednisone, prednisolone, progesterone, testosterone and cortisol Antibiotics: ciprofloxacin, used to prevent certain infections caused by bacteria, as well as sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, which are used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections including pneumonia, and urinary tract and intestinal infections Antidepressants: fluoxetine, prescribed to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders Anti-anxiety medication: meprobamate, a treatment used to relieve nervousness or tension that exceeds stress of everyday life Painkillers: ibuprofen and naproxen Additional tests will be performed during 2020 to confirm these results. CHLORINE TAPP EcoPro reduces Chlorine by 95% or more based on 100s of tests carried out on tap water around the world. This improves the taste instantly for chlorinated water. In addition to this TAPP EcoPro removes all known bi-products from Chlorine (whereof some potentially cancerogenic such as THMs). CHLORAMINE Yes, TAPP EcoPro reduces Chloramine by 95% or more based on more than 50 tests carried out on tap water in Los Angeles and other cities using chloramine rather than Chlorine. In addition to this amonia is reduced by 90% or more. LEAD TAPP EcoPro is tested for lead reduction and removal in accordance with NSF 53. This means lead is reduced by 95% or more. MICROPLASTICS TAPP EcoPro removes all microplastics that have been found so far in tap water thanks to the 1-2 micron carbon block. NITRATE (NO3) TAPP EcoPro reduces Nitrate by 90% or more based on independent lab tests. NITRITE TAPP EcoPro reduces Nitrate by 90% or more based on independent lab tests. FLUORIDE TAPP EcoPro reduces fluoride by 30-70% based on independent lab tests. Fluoride is a natural compound found most fresh water sources, tea, vegetables and fruit. It’s not considered a contaminant although we are aware that some people are concerned about the health effects. Many water filters claim fluoride removal but in reality we’ve found that reverse osmosis is the only effective way to reduce fluoride by 95% or more. ARSENIC TAPP EcoPro is not certified for arsenic removal but in the tests where arsenic was detected before filtering more than 70% was removed. The maximum concentration level recommended by EPA and WHO is 10 mg/l. Therefore the results mean that for any tap water with 50 mg/l or higher concentration of arsenic alternative solutions should be considered. CALCIUM/LIMESCALE Calcium is considered a mineral with health benefits and not a contaminant. Unfortunately calcium also has the unfortunate bi-effect of causing limescale in combination with magnesium carbonates. TAPP EcoPro effectively reduces calcium and limescale with a propriety mix inside the carbon block filter by up to 80%.

The 5 stage filtration system includes: Stage 1. Polypropylene screen wrapper (New)This wraps around the carbon block and filters out larger microorganisms, sediment, silt, rust, scale particles and other impurities. It also protects the carbon block from being contaminated by human hands when it’s changed. Stage 2: Activated Carbon AdsorptionThe organic activated carbon removes chemical organic material, chlorine, chlorine byproducts (VOCs, THMs, HAAS, etc) taste, odor, pesticides, herbicides, PFAS and 50+ other contaminants. It also reduces heavy metals including lead, copper, mercury and more. Stage 3: Carbon Block MicrofiltrationThe carbon block is highly compressed to prevent particles larger than 1-2 micrometers from passing through. This prevents for example all microplastics, suspended particles and most bacteria from passing through the filter. It also prevents most particles from pipe corrosion and biofilm (bacteria build inside the pipes) from passing through. Stage 4: Limescale & heavy metal inhibition (New)This is a proprietary formula (referred to as PSS) used inside the carbon block that breaks down the mineral to prevent limescale from forming and further reduce heavy metals. Previously we did about 50% and now this is increased to 80% reduction. Stage 5: Strainer MeshFilters out hair, sand, dirt and other impurities from the pipes for the filtered water. You can read more about our advanced micro-filtration system here.

Yes. The simple switcher located right on the filter means you can easily change between filtered and non-filtered water.

TAPP ECOPro refill cartridges are made from coconut shells and absorbs chemicals, gases, metals and organic elements thanks to its microscopic structure and highly porous surface. The materials we use in our filters reflect our commitment to sustainability, quality and durability. The cartridge housing is made of ABS and PC plastic, which is free of BPA and phthalates and is manufactured from natural raw materials. The carbon block found inside the cartridge housing and which filters your water is made of coconut shells (70%) — which biodegrade in CO2 and water — and UHMW (30%) — which is inert and stable and doesn’t accumulate in marine life. Our product also contains two small silicone parts that hold the carbon block in place to ensure maximum filter efficiency. These parts decompose in amorphous silica, carbon dioxide and water. We continue to innovate and are committed to creating a 100% biodegradable filter – as biodegradable is always better than relying on recycling. Better for the planet, better for our children and better for ourselves. We know we are on the right path by having created a better solution available right now compared to what existed before.

TAPP Water filters have been independently tested in Malta and globally and you can read the full details of the tests in this detailed article. You can download the results of the independent Test results on Malta Public Supply here (in Spanish as we used an international laboratory). Before filtration After filtration

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