OPUS - Whole House Water Purification Model 55

Product Notes:

Chlorinated water can increase the risks of several health problems, including asthma, food allergies, birth defects, and bladder and rectal cancer. But did you know we actually absorb more chlorine through the skin in a five minute shower than from drinking 8 glasses of chlorinated water, since our skin is our second largest organ? Chlorinated water also has an unwelcome taste and odour, and can dry out our skin and hair. With a KDF-55 Whole House Filtration system, you can bathe and shower in chlorine-free water and avoid ingesting it, as well.

The Model 55 Whole House System is designed for chlorinated municipal water supplies that do not have high levels of iron. It uses 5 pounds of KDF-55 media (which is explained below) in its two-stage KDF/GAC filter, which is likely quite a bit more than the KDF whole house filters or systems which decline to specify how much KDF they actually contain (and among those which do, some say only 2 lb).

This system features three types of 20" tall filters: two pleated sediment filters (the initial one 20 micron, and the secondary one 5 micron), and a final two-stage filter utilizing granulated activated carbon and KDF-55 media, a copper and zinc formulation that uses the principle of electrochemical oxidation reduction (commonly known as the redox process or redox reaction) to eliminate and/or render harmless a vast number of water contaminants.

The system ensures up to 99% reduction of bad tastes, odors, and water contaminants including lead, chlorine, heavy metals, silver, aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, nickel, zinc, chromium, barium, hydrogen sulfide, radon, selenium, mercury, trihalomethanes, algae, manganese, chloroform, VOCs, trichloroethane, lindane, pesticides and fungi.

KDF media and granulated activated carbon have a synergistic effect when combined, making them more powerful than when either media is used alone, as the KDF media regenerates the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon. Replace this filter annually, or after 100,000 gallons of use. The large 20" filter design minimizes the water pressure drop that is common with many whole house filtration systems.

The operational life of the 5 and 20 micron filters is dependent on the level of sediment, dirt, rust, and other particles 5 microns and larger. The built-in pressure gauges, and water pressure (when it drops) indicate that either the 20 micron, 5 micron, or both need to be replaced. It is recommended that two or more additional 5 micron and 20 micron filters are purchased with the system, to ensure filter changes can be made when required, to ensure good water flow rates.

The Whole House System inhibits the growth of bacteria within the KDF media, but does not kill waterborne bacteria or pathogens unless the germicidal ultraviolet unit is added. To treat water that is microbiologically unsafe to drink (i.e., contains E. coli or other bacteria), the germicidal ultraviolet filtration unit is recommended to sterilize the water. To ensure complete sterilization, we recommend a 12 gallon per minute ultraviolet sterilization system.

Note: This system does not remove fluoride, however; to remove fluoride from your drinking or cooking water, please choose one of these OPUS point-of-use systems: the Advantage, AlkaPlus, or NANO.

Design and Included Components:

The system consists of a three compartment, 20 inch filter housing which incorporates three pressure gauges to assist in evaluating when water pressure drops require sediment filter changes. It is designed to be installed where your water supply enters the building, usually just after the water meter. The upper shelf where the gauges are is stainless steel, and usually the sumps (filter containers) are blue in colour on the outside, although sometimes they may be black. 

The Total Dimensions of an OPUS Whole House System are as follows: 26-1/4 inches (66.67 cm) High [including both the 23-3/8" (59.37 cm) high filter canisters and the metal housing with the gauges on top]; 23-3/16" (58.9 cm) Wide; and 8-7/16" (21.43 cm) Deep.

There are four filtration stages involved:

• Stage 1 – 20" 20 Micron Pleated Filter: This filter is designed to remove dirt, rust, sediment, and particulate matter 20 microns and larger, and also to lengthen the life of the 5 micron pleated filter in Stage 2.

• Stage 2 – 20" 5 Micron Pleated Filter: This filter is designed to remove dirt, rust, sediment and particulate matter 5 microns and larger, and to ensure the final KDF/GAC filter works optimally for 100,000 gallons.

• Stage 3 & 4 – 20" KDF Media combined with granulated activated charcoal: KDF Media is a zinc/copper formulation that utilizes the principle of electrochemical oxidation reduction (more commonly known as the redox process or redox reaction) to eliminate bad tastes and odors, and water contaminants including lead, chlorine, heavy metals, silver, aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, nickel, zinc, chromium, barium, hydrogen sulfide, radon, selenium, mercury, trihalomethanes, algae, manganese, chloroform, trichloroethane, lindane, pesticides, fungi. This filter is rated for at least 100,000 gallons, or one year of normal use in a household of up to 4 people.

For more information about KDF, please download the KDF Process Media Brochure [PDF].

A filter wrench is also included for easy removal of the filter housings for filter changes.

The OPUS Whole House Water System includes a limited five year parts warranty to the original owner, with a one year warranty on the pressure gauges, conditional on reasonable maintenance (changing filters and O-rings, if required).

Download the OPUS KDF-55 Whole House Installation Instructions [PDF].

Options:
• 12 Gallon Per Minute Germicidal Ultraviolet Sterilization System
• Extra 12 GPM Lamps (change annually)
• Calmat Electronic Water Softening System – ideal for cottages with hard water

OPUS WHOLE HOUSE REPLACEMENT FILTERS
• 5 micron and 20 micron sediment filters
• KDF-55 with GAC (replace annually)