JB Water Distillers

While no federal regulations exist for residential water treatment devices, there are several voluntary national standards that establish minimum requirements for the safety and performance of products used to treat home drinking water. These standards are generally divided according to the technology used by the product. The numbers assigned to each standard reflect the order in which the standards were developed.

Below are the standards and the type of technology each covers, along with a description of the purpose or intended function of the technology.

Adsorption/Filtration (NSF/ANSI 42 & 53)
This process occurs when liquids, gases, dissolved or suspended matter adheres to the surface of, or in the pores of, an adsorbent media. Carbon filters would be an example of this type of product.

Softeners (NSF/ANSI 44)
These systems incorporate a cation exchange resin that is regenerated with sodium or potassium chloride. The softener reduces calcium and magnesium ions and replaces them with sodium or potassium ions.

Ultraviolet Treatment (NSF/ANSI 55)
These systems use ultraviolet light to disinfect water (Class A systems) or to reduce the amount of non disease causing bacteria in water (Class B).

Reverse Osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58)
A process that uses reverse pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane. Most reverse osmosis systems incorporate additional filters along with the membrane itself.

Distillers (NSF/ANSI 62)
These systems heat water to the boiling point, and then collect the water vapor as it condenses, leaving behind contaminants such as heavy metals. Some contaminants that convert readily into gases, such as volatile organic chemicals, can carry over with the water vapor.

Shower Filters (NSF/ANSI 177)