Frequently Asked Questions

The integrated 2 stage ultra-filter eliminates up to 99.9% of waterborne pathogens and can filter virtually any fresh water source.

The two stages of filtration:

Stage 1: The 0.1-micron ultrafiltration membrane (hollow fiber) is a highly efficient method of particle filtration and requires no chemicals. It’s 99.9% effective against bacteria, protozoa, cysts, parasites and micro-plastics (the average size of bacteria is 0.5 micron).

Stage 2 : Uses an activated carbon fiber block. A major advantage of carbon block filters is that they allow for water to be in contact with carbon for a longer period, which leads to better contaminant removal. It effectively removes any unpleasant odours and taste in water.

In contrast, most water filters use activated granulated activated carbon as a filter medium. They lack the uniformity of carbon block filters, and given that there is less contact time of water with the granules, their efficiency falls behind that of the efficiency of block carbon filters.

To make sure you get the most out of your filter, be sure to soak it in order for optimum performance.

For first time usage, simply rinse the filter and bottle with clean water and stand the filter upright in water for 1 minute keeping the top 1cm dry.

The filter flow rate will be slow at first but as the water penetrates the filter's fibers, the flow rate will improve.

Please clean the filter and bottle as regularly as you would a normal bottle when you have access to clean water.

Or after a trip away and when you have access to clean water - please run clean water forcefully through the filter in reverse flow to drinking then shake it to dislodge any particulates and fully dry the filter before storing away.

If you have the latest version of WaterWell the filter can be cleaned by using the backflush device included. Fill the device with clean water and then dispense the water through the tip of the filter in reverse flow to drinking 2-3 times.

And finally if your trip is for an extended period of time.  Suck some water through the filter and regularly blow back through the filter to clean the filter and prevent clogging.

During the first several 100ml's you may experience some aftertaste this is quite normal and is derived from the carbon fibre. This should increasingly dissipate upon the first day of use.

In addition we recommend holding it under the tap and running water through it, or sucking some water up and then spitting it out. Any aftertaste  should disappear soon after.

Also please note It should be soaked first before using to maximise its efficiency and lifespan, this will also help any aftertaste upon first use to dissipate. For first time usage, simply rinse the filter and bottle with clean water and stand the filter upright in water for a few minutes.

WaterWell filters remove 99% of chlorine for 500 litres of tap water however they do not remove fluoride- the only way to remove fluoride from water is to use reverse-osmosis, activated alumina or ion exchange. Please be careful if you purchase filters that employ these last two methods.

Filters using low grade powdered activated alumina have the potential to leach aluminium into your drinking water and domestic ion exchange filters have a low retention rate and could release high concentrations of fluoride un-expectantly into your output water.

WaterWell protects against bacteria, parasites and cysts but does not filter out viruses the same is true for other filters based on particle filtration. Our filters remove all particles to a size of 0.1 microns - bacterial cells are typically 0.5 microns in size however viruses are one one-hundredth the size of the average bacterium. 

If you’re worried that there could be a viral risk where you’re going we would advise to use with water that has been purified using reverse osmosis, chemicals, boiling or UV  purified water and use WaterWell as a secondary filter. It’s important to note that some of these aforementioned methods do not remove sediment and particulates in the water.

Be sure to find out any possible viruses common in the regions  you are visiting, and make sure you are up to date on your immunisations and follow the usage and maintenance instructions provided with the bottle and filter.  

Our filters are designed to capture particles as small as 0.1 micron. Microplastics typically range in size from 0.1 to 5000 µm.

The integrated 2 stage ultra-filter eliminates up to 99.9% of waterborne pathogens and can filter virtually any fresh water source.

The two stages of filtration:

Stage 1: The 0.1-micron ultrafiltration membrane (hollow fiber) is a highly efficient method of particle filtration and requires no chemicals. It’s 99.9% effective against bacteria, protozoa, cysts, parasites and microplastics (the average size of bacteria is 0.5 micron).

Stage 2 : Uses an activated carbon fiber block. A major advantage of carbon block filters is that they allow for water to be in contact with carbon for a longer period, which leads to better contaminant removal. It effectively removes any unpleasant odours and taste in water.

In contrast, most water filters use activated granulated activated carbon as a filter medium. They lack the uniformity of carbon block filters, and given that there is less contact time of water with the granules, their efficiency falls behind that of the efficiency of block carbon filters.

Our filters do not filter out the healthy minerals such magnesium, potassium, sodium and calcium. This means TDS (total dissolved solids) are generally not reduced with the activated carbon filter stage.

Yes the 2nd stage activated carbon fibre block does remove the following other known water contaminants:

Lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, lluminium, nitrates and copper.

40%-80% removal rate of these contaminants removed in lab testing. Results were obtained by passing 200L of concentrated contaminated solution through the filters.

The activated carbon fibre block has trace amount amounts of silver added to it. This adds bacteriostatic properties to the medium to help prevent the filters from becoming breeding grounds for bacteria.