Water is life, however if water becomes contaminated it is potentially life-threatening. According to the world health organisation, access to safe drinking water is essential to health, a basic human right and a component of effective policy for health protection. Potable drinking water must be clear, colourless, odourless, tasteless and it should not contain pathogenic microorganisms or chemical contaminants. With this in mind it is necessary to change icemaker water filters on a regular basis, to avoid ice contamination and prolong the life of the icemaker.
To a large extent we have no way of judging the safety of their drinking water ourselves. It is natural for us to be suspicious of water that appears dirty or has an unpleasant taste or odour. However these characteristics may not in themselves pose a direct threat to health. The water running through our taps contains many unwanted substances such as bacteria, aluminium, chlorine, lead, mercury and organic chemicals. The purest water contains none of these contaminants. A solution is to install a good quality water filtration system.
Types of water filters
Different types of water filter systems have different levels of filtration and choosing the right water filter system is relative to the quality of the incoming water and your needs. There are many different types of water filter systems, however the most common types of water filters fitted to commercial icemakers are 5 micron sediment water filters and 5 micron activated charcoal water filters.
Sediment water filters
Sediment water filters are generally bacteria and chemical resistant. They are ideal for pre-filtration in high sediment applications. They are highly effective in removing dirt, rust, sand, silt, algae and fine particles from water. These water filter cartridges should be changed at least every six months.
Activated charcoal water filters
Activated charcoal water filters filter contaminants such as dirt and particulate from tap water down to 5 microns in size. They reduce chlorine taste and odour as well as organic odours and colours that can affect the taste of drinking water, coffee and tea as well as the clarity of ice. These water filter cartridges should be changed at least every six months.
Reduced water flow
As water filters clarify water over a period of time, they slowly become blocked and water flow through them reduces. This is due to a reduced surface area of the internal membrane as it becomes clogged with particulate matter. As well as reduced water flow a restricted water filter can produce water with a foul odour taste, as the membrane or carbon becomes less and less effective and a buildup of minerals occurs within the water filter.
To ensure the health and safety of users, always follow manufacturers recommendations, and change the water filter on a regular basis. If you notice a strange odour, taste or discoloured water, change the water filter immediately. After all, a water filter isn’t much good if it isn’t doing its job, so keep the internals of your icemaker clean and your ice contaminant free by changing the water filter regularly.
