Water Filtration 101

Learn About Your Water

The water cycle, also called the hydrologic cycle, is the cycle by which water continuously circulates from Earth to the atmosphere and back to the Earth. Many processes, including evaporation, condensation, transpiration, precipitation, and runoff, are involved in the hydrologic cycle.

Reduction Claims

List of specific contaminants a water filter has been tested to reduce from the water source. For example, the 3MDW301 reduce Particulate, CTO (Chlorine Taste& Odour), Chloramines, Lead, Asbestos, Cyst, VOCs, MTBE, and TTHM.
Micron Rating (μm)

The ability of the filter media to remove particles of a certain size. The lower the number, the finer the level of particles is being reduced.
Flow Rate (gpm or gpd)

How quickly water is flowing from the source after the water filter system is installed. The higher the number, the quicker water should flow from the faucet head. Often expressed as gallons per minute (gpm) or gallons per day (gpd).
Capacity/Life* (gallons/months)

A measurement of how many gallons can flow through a filter system while maintaining the performance claims. The higher the capacity, the longer the filter life.

*Filter life dependent on local water quality.

A water filter that has a lower micron rating and wider range of contaminant reductions will tend to have a lower flow rate. If you think about it, filtering water will usually restrict the flow of the water, but we have different solutions that provide you with options to meet your customer’s needs. For example, the 3MFF100 is a great innovation in water filtration technology as it filters major contaminants without reducing the normal flow rate of water from an existing faucet and is rated to last twice as long compared to our previous generations of 3M Purification under sink products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I purchase 3M water filtration and treatment products?

Find an Installer to find your closest 3M Aqua-Pure certified plumber to install your 3M Aqua-Pure system, or Find a Distributor and visit one of our local distributors.

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How do I know if my water needs to be filtered?

Your public water authority does the best it can to provide you with potable water. However, water passing through a series of pipes to reach your home may contain sediment. Therefore, a sediment reduction filter is advisable on the incoming water line. Our whole house filtration systems help protect washers and seals from premature wear, help prevent aerators and valves from plugging and help keep your water heater from collecting excessive sediment.

Additionally, if you do not care for the taste of your home's tap water, a whole house water filter system that reduces not only sediment but chlorine, taste and odour as well.

Keep in mind that contaminant levels may vary depending on the season or the weather. Additionally, in the case of lead, the contaminant may not be accurately represented in water quality reports, as it may originate in a home piping system.

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What substances can be reduced by 3M water filtration products?

Our products vary in respect to ratings for contaminant reduction; among our line of offerings are products that reduce chlorine taste and odour, trihalomethane (TTHM), lead, sediment, cysts, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium (hex), chromium (tri), copper, fluoride, radium, selenium, turbidity, total dissolved solids (TDS), mercury, asbestos, chloramine, MTBE and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

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How does the capacity of a 3M drinking water system compare to other alternative products such as bottled water, pitcher filtration systems and end-of-faucet filtration systems?

Each product's capacity varies, but the 3M™ FF 100 Drinking Water System has a capacity equivalent to 45,443 16.9oz bottles of water, 150 pitcher filters or 60 faucet filters.

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How do I know what size filter to use?

For a home with 1-2 bathrooms, a 3M Aqua-Pure sediment filter that holds one cartridge, such as the AP101T or AP11T, is appropriate. A home that has 3-4 bathrooms will probably require a two cartridge sediment filter such as the AP102T. If the incoming line size is one inch, then the recently introduced AP902 Sanitary Quick Change Whole House filtration system or the AP801-C is recommended.

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What can I do if I have a moderate amount of hardness in my water, but don't want to use a softener?

There are several 3M filtration products that incorporate a scale inhibition agent. These cartridges, like the AP420, utilise two important mechanisms to help inhibit scale and corrosion: one that helps prevent scale from forming and one that treats the surface of the piping to help prevent the negative effects of hard water scaling or corrosive water. In addition, 3M Scale and Corrosion cartridges incorporate a progressive porosity pre-filter for premium sediment reduction and long life.

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Which sediment cartridge should be used?

The AP110, supplied with the 3M Aqua-Pure AP11T, AP101T filtration systems, is considered a standard cartridge for use on most "normal" water supplies. That is, those that don't have visible particles. If visible particles are evident, and symptoms such as clogged aerators are noted, then the coarser AP124 should be used. If water appears cloudy, then use the finer AP1003 cartridge or very fine AP1001 cartridge.

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How often should a sediment cartridge be changed?

Cartridge life may vary by product system and local water conditions. Product packaging will indicate approximate life of each system. Please use this as the guide to how often you need to change your filter. If you notice a drop in water pressure, it is recommended that you change your filter.

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How often should a taste/odour cartridge be changed?

Taste/odour cartridges should be changed when the off taste or odour returns, when a drop in pressure sediment is noticed, or every 4 to 6 months, whichever occurs first.

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