If you have a filtered drinking water system in your home and you are wondering what you should do with it if you are going to be away for an extended period, then this should prove helpful. 

By an extended period, we are referring to anything over a month or more. In which case, it may be worth taken certain precautions with the water. The last thing you want is to fall ill with an upset stomach when you drink your first glass of water upon returning home. 

These recommendations would equally apply whether you are using carbon filtration or a reverse osmosis filter.

How many days will a water filter last, if it is not being used at all?

Firstly, has the filter in question had any water in it or not? If it is brand new and hasn’t been used, it should last indefinitely. So, there would be no need to replace it. Once any water has passed through the filter, however, there will inevitably be some degradation and contamination. 

Although much will depend on the quality of the water passing through the filter, the more microbes and bacteria the mains water contains, the greater the level of contamination.  Whilst mains water is safe to drink, as we have identified in other blogs, the amount of pollutants in your water supply can still be quite significant.

For this reason, we would recommend that you replace or at least disconnect your water filter if it isn’t going to be used for a period of 30 days or longer.  

What should I do with my existing water filter?

There are two things you can do. Firstly, if the filter is quite new and you would prefer to keep using it, you can always take it out and store it and then reconnect the unit when you get back. If you are going to do this, it’s recommended that you separate the filter from the casing and thoroughly dry all the components before storage. 

If you aren’t inclined to go to the lengths of disconnecting the filter from its casing and you are away for anything more than a month, our advice would be to fit a replacement filter when you want to start using the system again. 

If you need any further advice on replacement filters, or how to disconnect your existing filter, please contact us. Scott Jenkins Water Softeners are one of the leading suppliers of high-quality water softeners and drinking water systems throughout Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire. For all service and maintenance enquiries, call our main switchboard on 01243 607494 or email: scott@sjbs.info