Overview of the Aussie Aqua Filtration Process
Aussie Aqua uses a 32-stage filtration process that ensures our customers receive the finest quality drinking water. Our water meets or surpasses all Philippine government regulated standards and is tested regularly to ensure we surpass all necessary requirements. In addition, our technicians conduct daily tests to ensure the freshness and cleanliness of our drinking water before any deliveries are made.
Clean Groundwater – Made Cleaner
Our water starts its journey from deep underground and is pumped up via our very ‘deep well’ and into our 1000 litre stainless steel holding tank. Groundwater is extracted from the what is termed the ‘Unconfined Aquifer’ that runs beneath the earth’s surface and is less susceptible to pollutants than ‘surface water’.
In our case we have dug over 160 feet beneath the surface to find a water table that has less Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) than water you normally drink from the tap, in other words, cleaner that Angeles district water even before going through our purification process.
Aussie Aqua uses the well proven Reverse Osmosis process to remove up to 99% of dissolved salts (ions), particles, colloids, organics, bacteria and pyrogens for the source water. Reverse Osmosis is very effective in treating brackish, surface and ground water for both large and small flow applications.
Basic Steps in the Filtration Process
Pre-Treated Holding Tank
Groundwater is pumped to the surface and then redirected into one of our 3 x 1000 litre stainless steel holding tanks, this tank is known as the ‘main feeder tank’. The main feeder tank holds the groundwater and is fitted with an automatic shut-off valve to ensure we only pump water when it is actually needed. The other 2 x 1000 litre tanks hold the processed Purified Drinking Water. Our main groundwater holding tank has been fitted with a sediment extraction valve which allows the tank to be easily flushed to remove any foreign matter such as clay or sand extracted from the water table.
Back Wash – Sediment Removal
The main feed tank is fitted with a purpose-built sediment filter that removes any dirt particles that have been pumped up from the Unconfined Aquifer layer of Groundwater. This is an important pre-cleaning process that removes any sludge build up and ensures the ongoing filtration process is optimized and will also protect the delicate filters used to extract any Ion or chemical components that may have leached into the groundwater.
Multi-Media Filtration
From the holding tank water is pumped through a series of 3 large Multi-Media filters.
Filter 1: Sediment Filter – this filter is designed to remove a range of fine sediments, organics and suspended matter down to 10-20 micron size.
Filter 2: Activated Carbon Filter – this filter will remove odor, taste, and chemicals such as chlorine, synthetic detergents, insecticides and other harmful chemicals.
Filter 3: Water Softening Filter – the filtered water is treated by a softening process to reduce the magnesium and calcium hardness that may be present in the water. Magnesium and calcium hardness in water forms scale and foul the Reverse Osmosis membrane which are critical to the purification process.
Post Multi Media and Pre-Reverse Osmosis Cartridge Filtration
Water is then treated via a series of food grade Polypropylene fibre filters designed for sediment removal from either potable or groundwater. These sediment filters will remove solid particles down to 1 micron.
REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO)
What is Osmosis? Osmosis is a naturally occurring phenomenon and one of the most important processes in nature. It is a situation where a weaker saline solution will tend to migrate to a strong saline solutions. Examples of osmosis are when plant roots absorb water from the sail and when our kidneys absorb water from our blood.
Reverse Osmosis is the process of Osmosis in reverse. Osmosis occurs naturally without energy required. To reverse the process of osmosis you need to apply energy (via a water booster pump) to force unprocessed water through a semipermeable membrane that allows the passage of water molecules but not the majority of dissolved salts, organics, bacteria and pyrogens.
Semi-Permeable Membrane
At Aussie Aqua we employ two purpose designed Reverse Osmosis membranes. These are imported from the United States to ensure quality and longevity. These membranes are very expensive, and every precaution is taken whenever these are cleaned or handled by our technicians. A range of gauges, meters, valves, regulators and switches are used to control the flow of product through the filters and into the Product holding tank or redirected as waste water which can be recycled and used for general cleaning.
Purified Drinking Water – Process
This section explains the steps from Reverse Osmosis to Purified Drinking water.
Purified Water Holding Tank
Purified water is collected and stored in our 2 x 1000 litre stainless steel Product holding tanks. These tanks hold the water ready for the next phases of filtration. This water is used to produce Aussie Aqua Purified drinking water. Both the Purified and Alkaline processes will be explained in the remaining paragraphs.
Distribution Process
Filtered water from the holding tank is repressurized via a Distribution Pump and pushed through a series of 3 Pre-Ultra Violet (UV) cartridge filters and then through to the Ultra Violet (UV) chamber before final dispensing into 5-gallon containers or individual bottles of 350 or 500 millilitre bottles.
Pre UV-Chamber Filtration
Final Sediment Removal and Polishing Carbon Filter
The two remaining food grade polypropylene filters remove any remaining sediment and ensure the purity of the final product.
The final filtering uses a polishing carbon filter which is designed to enhance the taste and texture of the water.
Ultra Violet Sterilization
After passing through the 3 final filters water goes through a 6gpm UV Sterilizer as a final safeguard against bacteria. This UV light sterilization eliminates bacteria and viruses and ensures the quality of the Purified drinking water.
Filling Faucets
After UV Sterilization the water is pumped to a series of Stainless Steel filling faucets. All Purified Drinking water is made fresh to order as we DO NOT store water on site. Typically, the day water is ordered is the day it is drawn from Groundwater and undergoes the process just described.
Alkaline Drinking Water – Process
This section explains the steps from Reverse Osmosis to Alkaline Drinking water.
Alkaline water is produced without the water being transferred to a Stainless Steel storage tank. Normally, a water station will not be capable of producing equal amounts of Purified and Alkaline water because the process of producing Alkaline water is somewhat more time consuming. This is because water is pumped directly from the Reverse Osmosis stage to the Alkaline filters and UV station.
Pre UV-Chamber Filtration
Final Sediment Removal
Similar to the Purified water process, there are two remaining food grade polypropylene filters remove any remaining sediment and ensure the purity of the final product.
Alkalizing the Pure Water
The process of Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a filtration method that removes more than 99% of all the contaminants in water. The result is nearly pure water, which has a neutral pH of 7. However, if the water is exposed to air (which is extremely hard to avoid), the RO water drops down to an acidic pH range of 5 – 5.5 because of its exposure to CO2. Pure water is very hungry, and it actually grabs CO2 right out of the air.
Importantly, the water is pure and healthy but slightly acidic – all very normal.
Ceramic Mineral Ball Filter
This filter is perhaps the most important step in the production of Alkaline drinking water and must be managed carefully. Pressurized water is pushed through this filter which contains 4 different types of Mineral Balls to cleanse, mineralize and raise the pH level to 7 or above.
1. Hydrogen ORP balls – These balls increase the pH and reduce ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential), creating alkaline anti-oxidant, hydrogen rich water for more effective hydration.
Main ingredients are magnesium, zinc, tourmaline and silica.
2. Alkaline Water Balls – contain a high concentration of Ca+ (Calcium) which increases pH level to create alkaline water rich with absorbable calcium for enhanced health. Potassium Balls – contain tourmaline, kaolin, silicic acid, potassium, metasilicate, calcium, magnesium, and other essential minerals.
3. Potassium Balls – contain tourmaline, kaolin, silicic acid, potassium, metasilicate, calcium, magnesium, and other essential minerals.
4. Silver Ion Balls – work to eliminate heavy metals and unpleasant odors, while destroying bacteria.
Polishing Carbon Filter
The final filtering uses a polishing carbon filter which is designed to enhance the taste and texture of the water.
Ultra Violet Sterilization
After passing through the 4 final filters water goes through a 6gpm UV Sterilizer as a final safeguard against bacteria. This UV light sterilization eliminates bacteria and viruses and ensures the quality of the Alkaline drinking water.
Filling Faucets
After UV Sterilization the water is pumped to a series of Stainless Steel filling faucets. All Alkaline Drinking water is made fresh to order as we DO NOT store water on site. Typically, the day water is ordered is the day it is drawn from Groundwater and undergoes the Alkaline process just described.