Frequently Asked Questions

Dutch drinking water companies can filter most of the pollution out of the water. This means that we are doing very well in the Netherlands compared to other countries. However, they cannot get everything out of the water. Small amounts are still left behind. These include drug and hormone residues, chemicals, pesticides and, for example, the substances used in the GenX process.

The National Institute for Public Health (RIVM) determines the safe quantity of each substance. The quantity of that specific substance where there is therefore no risk to public health. The RIVM does not look at the effect of the combination of different substances.

There have been studies on the effects of the substances that are smaller than what a government considers safe. One of these studies can be found here.

With the Aqualine systems we are able to extract up to 99.99% of this pollution. We go one step further than the drinking water companies. Anything that doesn’t get into your body can’t cause anything in your body either.

All AQV products are guaranteed to be free of harmful substances such as BPA (Bisphenol A), phthalates and other toxic substances.

If you leave for a few days, make sure that the bottom tank is completely filled with water. Part of the multi-step filter and part of the mineral stones/Cormac ring are impregnated with colloidal silver so that no bacterial action can take place. Preferably place the AQV system in a dark/cool place during your absence.

Go away for a few weeks. Then remove the multi-step filter and the pH ring from your system and put it (wet) in a plastic bag and put it in the fridge. Drain the collection tank and, for example, place the stones on a piece of kitchen roll so that they can dry.

The manufacturer indicates that the multi-step filter must be replaced every year or at least after 2,000 litres of water. Part of the multi-step filter is filled with active carbon. Carbon is sensitive to bacterial growth. In Germany, it is legally mandatory to replace filters containing carbon every six months. Some of the carbon in our filters is impregnated with colloidal silver to prevent bacterial formation. That’s why we can do it for an average of a year. The 2,000 liters is intended for people who filter a lot of water. They will have to replace the filter within a year.

The combination of a ceramic prefilter of 0.2 microns (0.0002 mm) and the different layers in the multi-step filter ensure that you filter about 1.5 liters of water per hour. If new filters are installed, it may take a little longer at first because the filters need to become saturated.

In the multi-step filter we use very fine carbon. This creates a huge filter area the size of many football pitches.

It takes a little longer for this carbon to saturate. Before you use a new multi-step filter, you must place it horizontally in a container of water for at least 10 minutes. The filter must be kept completely submerged. In the meantime, you’re going to have to spin it a few times. You do this to make any air disappear and to saturate the carbon with water. If the filter floats on the surface, there’s still air in it.

If you haven’t done this or not for long enough, the water will form channels in the carbon. Sometimes the water will overflow immediately but usually this happens 4 to 6 weeks after the new filter is placed. Sometimes it even runs over the booty side of the system and gives it a leak.

Advice: remove the multi-step filter from the system, shake it back and forth and place the filter horizontally in a container of water for at least 10 minutes. The filter must be kept under water. Then put it back.

During installation, a bubble may have formed between the ceramic filter and the multi-step filter. With the AQV 5, 12 and 18, lift the top tank so that air can be added. With the Neos you lift the ceramic filter a bit. Usually you see air bubbles coming from under the filter.

That’s caused by the green algae. Algae tracks are all over the water and in the air. These traces also appear on the ceramic prefilter of your AQV system, which sometimes gives the filter a green touch. This deposit only forms on the outside of the filter. It forms by a combination of heat and sometimes sunlight (in the AQV systems with a transparent upper tank). This deposit is easy to remove with the abrasive part of a scouring sponge. ‘Sand’ gently over the white ceramic sphere to remove the green touch while holding the bulb under a flowing tap. Hold both the bulb and the plastic foot tightly. This algae strain is not harmful to your health.

In a single case, algae formation may be visible in the storage tank. Usually this is the first to be seen on a lighter part in the tank (magnetic crane, multi-step filter). Because algae traces are in the tap water and in the air, you can’t escape the fact that you also ‘bring’ these traces to your system. You rinse your filter, your pH ring and the stones with tap water. If you put the tank together, traces will already be airborne into your tank. None of this is a problem if the system is used regularly. The system is then flushed and provided with new water. It can become a problem if the system is too much in (sun) light or near a heat source (stove, stove). The combination of light and heat can cause algae formation. Therefore, keep the system out as much as possible from direct light or a heat source.

Advice: Bring water to a boil. Remove the multi-step filter, pH rings and stones from the bottom tank. Place the mineral stones in the pan and add a teaspoon of salt. Let the water boil for at least 10 minutes. Fill the storage tank for a third with lukewarm water and add a dash of natural vinegar or sodium bicarbonate. Use a soft cloth to remove the outside of the filter and the inside of the tank with this mixture. After cleaning, let the mixture drain through the tap. Rinse the pH ring, shaking, under a flowing tap. Rinse the inside of the tank and filter before reinstalling everything.

Tap water contains dissolved and unresolved calcium. The undesolved calcium causes the hard layer of calcation on the heating element in your kettle or coffee machine. This calcium is held back by the ceramic prefilter in our AQV systems. The dissolved calcium is not a problem in your devices but can sometimes give a slight touch. You can easily clean this with a dilution of about 25% vinegar. Then rinse the bottle well clean.

Preferably use a glass or stainless steel bottle. Bottles of polycarbonate or Tritan are also suitable. Do not use PET bottles as these substances can give off to the basic water, which has a negative impact on the quality.

In case of calamities, you can use the AQV 5, 12, 18 and Neos to filter ditch or rainwater. These systems have been developed for countries where people do not have the luxury of drinking from the tap. You have to take into account that the ceramic filter will become contaminated more quickly. The passage opening is only 0.2 microns (0.0002 mm). In ditch or rainwater there are often dust particles and other coarser particles that will clog this filter more quickly. Pour the water through a double folded tea towel or sheet before throwing it into the top tank. Clean the filter regularly with a scouring sponge (rough side). You have to take into account that both the ceramic and the multi-step filter will become contaminated more quickly and therefore need to be replaced more often. Assume that after about 600/700 liters both filters need to be replaced.

Read our extensive page “explanation on alkaline or pH neutral water”