The Pimag® Waterfall is Nikken's flagship water filter product. Available as a stand alone counter top unit or via a portable water bottle many people are discovering the health benefits of Nikken water and the delicious taste which is so good it just encourages you to drink more - and we all know that is a good thing!
If you are new to Nikken water, or an existing customer who already has a Waterfall or Portable Bottle read on to discover answers to our frequently asked questions.
If you have a question not answered here please drop a comment below or contact me direct on
nicki@nutritionandhealing.co.uk I will be delighted to answer your questions.
Q. Some of the water in the top tank seems to not filter and gets stuck. Is this a fault?
A. No, this is not a fault. It is probably because there is an air pocket under the pre filters (the sponges). The pre filters should be removed and squeezed to remove excess water and re fitted. If not, there may be a bubble under the plastic separator located on the top of the filter column, just below the woven filters. If this occurs, pushing a blunt object down through this cap (poke it a few times in different places) will usually do the trick.
Q. My filter filters the water slowly.
A. The filter particularly when new may filter more slowly than normal. This should improve after a few days. Give the sponge pre filters at the top of the filter a little massage and press in order to release any blockages or air pockets. As the system is a gravity system keeping the top tank full will encourage a quicker flow through to the bottom tank which in turn, when fuller, will encourage a faster release through the tap.
Q. What is the best soaking time for the filter?
A. The optimal filter soaking time is overnight / 24 hours. The pre filter sponges should be soaked too.
Q. Do I need to run water through a new filter?
A. Yes, we encourage users to run a full tank of water through a brand new filter several times before drinking. This will help remove any trace elements and a slight metallic taste that may occur at first.
Q. Sometimes my filter leaks water down the side and into the bottom tank without passing through the filter, how can I stop this?
A. This is particularly important to check when you replace your filters. Otherwise unfiltered tap water will reach the drinking chamber (this can be seen, and tasted). You should first carefully check that the filter is positioned correctly in the top tank and pushed all the way down the hole so it sits on the ledge and the (purple) seal is flush all the way round. It can happen that the filter is not level and the water leaks on one side. A good option is to remove the top tank while the filter is in place and grab the bottom of the filter while using your thumbs to push against the bottom of the tank. This enables you to manoeuvre the filter into place and to make sure it is level. Once you have done this you can fill the top tank to test that the leak has stopped.
Q. Do I need to clean the Waterfall?
A. Yes. The waterfall should ideally be emptied and cleaned thoroughly inside and out every month, and at least at time of filters changes. If the system has been left unused for a period of time give it a good clean beforel starting it up again.
Q. My Waterfall is showing signs of some greenness or algae in the chambers?
A. This is very unusual but if it does happen stop using and give it a good clean. Then try repositioning the system somewhere else preferably not in persistent direct sunlight. If it is positioned on a window sill in direct sunlight protect it by a blind. If the system is not going to be used for a while, drain it, and store it away somewhere safe preferably in its box. If the problem persists please contact me.
Q. Can I move the Waterfall around?
A. Yes, it is relatively light and portable (when not filled). Drain both chambers completely and take out the stones for safe transport.
Q. How do I fill the Waterfall?
The best way is to have it positioned somewhere near your tap and transfer water into the top chamber via a jug or pitcher. Similarly a jug or pitcher or bottles can obviously be filled with the filtered water. For ease of access to the Waterfall tap some users will find it is best to position the Waterfall on a stand or counter top such that the tap overhangs a drop.
Q. I've heard that goldfish can live much longer in Pimag Waterfall than in regular tap water. Is this true?
A. We do think Pimag water is the healthiest and most life giving water you can get so we would not be surprised to hear this is true (apparently someone has tested it!). However the Waterfall itself is not a fish tank and although it could probably filter any type of contaminated water in the top tank it is not recommended that it is used this way for human consumption (or the fish). By all means try filling your regular aquarium with Pimag water though.
Q. Can I give Nikken water to my pets?
Absolutely. As with humans, pets will also benefit from the improved hydration, antioxidants and higher pH values of Nikken water. You may find that older animals will be more energized when they start drinking Nikken water. Your house plants will also love Nikken water.
Q. Can I use it to wash my windows?
A. Apparently reverse osmosis (RO) water is best for window cleaning as it has been stripped of all minerals and thus does not leave any residue on your glass after drying. We wouldn't want to drink it though.
Q. How long will Nikken supply the replacement parts for the other Water products?
A. Parts and filters for previous models of the Waterfall such as the Maxi will be supplied for a number of years in the same way as we have continued to supply other discontinued products.
Q. Where is the 1200 gauss magnet positioned and what is its purpose? In the documentation it states that this decreases agglomeration.
A. The magnet is located in the blue tube inside the bottom tank where the water flows through to
the tap. Water molecules are dipolar (differing electro-charges at each end) and tend to attract each other. Magnets affect the bonding
angle between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in the water molecule. This in turn induces the
molecule cluster groups to become smaller and this is suggested to increase absorption. Agglomeration is defined as the gathering of mass and as the magnet reduces this mass into smaller
clusters it decreases agglomeration. To read more about the science
please see this post.
Q. What is ion exchange resin?
A. Ion-exchange resin is used in water purification products and is there to help remove heavy
metals while also adding ions such as sodium and potassium that help towards alkaline water.
Q. What are those stones for in the Waterfall?
The stones are special pebbles mined from the ocean floor off Korea. They replicate the natural environment of a natural spring and serve to add minerals and electrolytes to the water.
Q. Do I need to replace the stones?
A. Yes, we recommend they are replaced annually. In between times they can also be taken out and rinsed occasionally.
Q. The first layer of the filter contains carbon and alkaline materials. What are these alkaline materials?
A. The alkalising materials will be a number of minerals that promote alkaline water. Nikken does not release a full specification to customers due to proprietary requirements safeguarding our products from being copied.
Q. The second layer contains clay granules what is their role? It also contains bio silver and minerals. What are these minerals?
A. The second layer of our filter contains various elements that help filter contaminants while
releasing minerals that help increase pH.
Q. The third layer contains fine silica and KDF. What is KDF? The golden layer at the bottom - is this KDF or silica sand?
A. KDF (Kinetic Degradation Fluxion) is material that again assists in the reduction of contaminants.
This will be the gold looking material.
Q. Through the filtration process, oxidizing potential is reduced. How does this work?
A. ORP is a measure used in some water filtration systems and stands for Oxidation Reduction Potential. Technically ORP is a measure of a water system’s capacity to either release or gain electrons in chemical reactions. It is measured in millivolts and indicates if a solution is oxidising or deoxidising. The higher the positive number the more oxidising the solution is (and the less beneficial); a lower positive number or a negative number will denote that the solution is deoxidising and contains antioxidants (more beneficial). Therefore the lower the number the better (although note there is an important trade off with pH as a low ORP also means a high pH, which can be
too high). With the reduction of oxidising chemicals such as chlorine in our Pimag water the ORP levels will lower and therefore show that the water has more antioxidants.
Q. What is the pH?
A. The PiMag Waterfall has been tested in laboratory conditions and has shown to increase the pH
of tap water of around 7 to 7.5pH to between 8.5 and 9.5pH. Each country and area may differ depending on the source water used.
Q. I have heard that it is good to drink water with a high pH indicating alkalinity rather than acidity but can the pH be too high?
A. Yes, it is considered unhealthy to drink water that has a pH of 10 or over. Such highly rated pH waters often have a very low ORP but the negative health effects of water with such a high degree of alkalinity outweigh this benefit.
Q. What is naturally alkaline water?
A. Water can be made more alkaline by natural processes such as adding minerals as in the Nikken water, or artificially by electrolysis.
Q. Should I use the PiMag water in my kettle?
A. Yes, definitely. It will transform your teas or coffees and you will appreciate the difference from tap water very quickly. Furthermore many nutritionists and health practitioners advocate drinking hot water without tea or coffee and this will definitely taste so much better with our water filter.
Q. My Waterfall water tastes a bit "metallic"?
The Nikken water is so distinctive from tap water it is normally obvious when the water does not taste right. An initial metallic taste may occur when the filter and/or the stones are brand new. New filters should be soaked for at least 8-12 hours or overnight if possible, and water passed through several times before insertion. The Waterfall should then be flushed through with the new filter in place several times before the water reaches it's normal taste. New stones should also be soaked at first and then will settle down over the first few days. Also do test that all the water from the top chamber is passing through the filter and not leaking down the outside (see above).
Q. Is there a major difference in the 1 micron filtration level of the Waterfall compared to the 0.02 micron level in the older Maxi model?
A. The difference is very small. The PiMag Waterfall has been created to provide alkaline water with
a low ORP. To obtain both these aspects you have to be able to filter contaminants and add
minerals. The filtration process has been rated, in a laboratory, at 1 micron which will filter a very
high percentage of contaminants found in tap water including microplastics. Our test results prove that the Waterfall matches or exceeds previous water systems in filtering contaminants and adding minerals.
Q. How often do I need to change the filter?
A. The filter life span on the PiMag Waterfall has been rated at 900 litres based on the continued
filtration levels required to meet specific contaminant reduction levels. For a family of 4 using the Waterfall for all their drinking and cooking needs the filter will generally last approximately 3 months. This is an incredibly economic and ecologically friendly way to drink filtered water working out at approximately 4p per litre.
Q. Filter change times are stated as every 900 litres or every 3 months. If I used it 10 times only in 3 months do I have to change the filter?
A. You will not be receiving the full benefits of the system if you only use in short periods. There is some degree of deterioration of the effectiveness of the filter over time as well as use so some do advocate a change once capacity
or time is elapsed, whichever is the sooner, but generally replacement part times are based on a constant usage. For a family of 4 we find the 900 litres and 3 months roughly coincide.
Q. Do any of the Nikken filters remove viruses or bacteria?
A.
The test report advises what our systems will help to reduce if found in your water. We do
not test for specific viruses or bacteria but tests show the Waterfall will reduce a large number of metals, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides and fungicides.
Q. Does the filter remove chlorine?
A. Yes.
Q. Does the filter remove lead?
A. Yes.
Q. Does the filter remove fluoride?
A. Fluoride is a particularly difficult substance to remove from water usually requiring specialist and expensive filters. However tests have shown that the Nikken filter will remove approximately two thirds of the fluoride present in tap water. Fluoride is not generally added to UK water except in some authorities (approximately 10% of the population - check your postcode here
http://www.wmaf.org.uk/…/FLUORIDATED%20POST%20CODE%20AREAS%…). It is more common in the US (the most fluorinated country in the world) where approximately 75% of the population are affected, Canada (approximately 50%) and South America (especially Brazil and Chile).
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The Pimag Waterfall retails for £255 (plus p&p) in the UK. Please navigate to
http://piwaterfilters.com to learn more.
Replacement filters can be ordered through myself or direct online via
https://bit.ly/nikkenparts Savings can be made on setting up a regular "autoship" for your replacement filters (please contact me to arrange).
The reorder parts code for the Waterfall filter is 13845 (the filter is an all-in-one device including sponge filters that does not require a separate order of other parts) (if you have an older model please check with me if you are unsure).
The reorder parts code for the Stones is 13846. These can also be ordered online and via autoship if preferred.
