Does the cartridge work immediately when installed, or do I have to flush it with water for a certain time?

To activate a newly installed filter, allow the first five minutes of water to run through it. (These five minutes are not counted toward the working life.) Every time when the filter is used thereafter let water run for five seconds (and if the filter has not been used for a few days, run for 30 seconds) to reactivate the filter

How do I install the On Tap System?

To view installation procedure, please click here.

The On Tap System can only be installed on a tap which has a removable aerator (mesh end cap) and which has a standard Australian metric thread. It is ideal for taps using the mixer-lever system or the conventional twist tap handles.

The thread at the end of the tap may be either on the outside of the spout (called a male thread) or on the inside of the spout (female thread).

The system consists of two parts; the base unit and the replaceable filter. Do not insert the filter in to the base until the base has been correctly installed.

In the base unit there is a collar (with a knobbled grip) within which there is a female thread. This allows the base unit to screw directly on to the male thread on the outside of the spout. (Ensure that the supplied black washer with mesh screen is seated inside the collar.)

If the spout has a female thread, then you need to use the adaptor provided. First screw the taller end of the adaptor into the spout. Note: there are two white rubber washers inside this end of the adaptor - keep both in when screwing the adaptor on to the spout in this situation. Hand tighten.
Then screw the base unit on to the shorter (lower) half of the adaptor. 

The base must be tightened on to the spout until it is firm and doesn't swivel: you may need to work the base unit alternatively back and forth and each time further tighten the knobbled collar until it is tight. (Do not use tools.)

If water then weeps out at the join, the use of teflon plumbers' tape over the threads should eliminate it.

If you have a tap which has the thread on the outside of the spout, but there are not enough threads to grip on to the female threads inside the base unit, the adaptor provided serves a second purpose - as an extension piece. The taller end of the adaptor can be screwed on to the end of the spout - but only use the thinner, white washer (remove the thicker washer). Then screw the base unit on to the other end of the adaptor.

These instructions should provide for satisfactory attachment in 90-95% of instances. As there is sometimes a slight variation in the taper of the thread on the tap, BRITA can supply at no charge an alternative adaptor with a slightly different thread taper. (This alternative is also available at BBC Hardware.) In the uncommon situation, where the tap has no aerator or a rose-shower head, or an imperial or other unusual thread, the system will not fit. It may then either be returned to the store, or the customer may want to fit a new spout to his/her sink.

Will the flow-rate of the filtered water be slower than the flow of unfiltered water?

Yes. While the flow rates in a kitchen may typically be between 6 - 10 litres/min (not diverted through the filter), with an installed BRITA On Tap system the filtered water flow will typically be about 2 - 3 litres/min.

What is the maximum water pressure I can use with the BRITA On Tap Filter?

The filter cartridges are tested for 125 psi (8,8 bar). The filter should not be mounted on a tap which has water pressure greater than 8,8 bars.

What is the BRITA On Tap system certified to remove?

Tap water is diverted under pressure through the BRITA Ultra Filter, which utilises a unique carbon block with a super-fine pore size to remove impurities.

The system has been certified by NSF International to remove:

99.99% Cysts - Cryptosporidium and Giardia
99% Chlorine
99% Lead
99.9% Sediment
99.7% Asbestos
99% Lindane (a pesticide)
92% Atrazine (a herbicide)
99.8% Trichloroethylene (a solvent)
99.7% Turbidity
97% Hydrogen Sulfide (odour)

What operating water pressure is required for the BRITA On Tap Filter?

The Filter can be used from approx. 0,7 bar (10 psi) up to 8,8 bar (125 psi), the most common pressure in households being around 3 bar (42 psi). While 1.7 bar (25psi) would be considered low pressure in a kitchen, it will operate and give a flow rate of about 2.8 litres/minute. At a pressure of 0,7 bar, the flow rate will be 0,5 litre/min. Below 0,7 bar the flow rate will be too low for convenient use.

Why is Cryptosporidium a problem and is it filtered?

Cryptosporidium is a parasite which can cause severe diarrhoea. Cryptosporidium can live as a very resistant cyst of 3-4micron size in the water and will not be killed by chlorine. But the carbon block from BRITA is able to filter it mechanically (99,99% certified by NSF).

What happens to the filter when hot water is run through by accident?

While the filter will not be damaged by momentarily running hot water through it, it should not be used with hot water. Hot water will not be filtered effectively.

Has the BRITA Faucet Filter been tested by any independent institute?

The BRITA On Tap Filter has been tested and certified by NSF International against ANSI/NSF Standard No. 53 (Health Effects) and Standard No. 42 Aesthetic Effects (taste and odour reduction). NSF International is the world's leading testing and certification laboratory for water filters. NSF certification is your assurance that:
1) Claims are true;
2) The system does not add anything harmful to the water;
3) The system is structurally sound;
4) The literature and labelling are not misleading.

How does the indicator of the BRITA Faucet Filter work?

The indicator is both volume and time based. The time is measured by a microchip and the volume is measured by a water-driven wheel, connected a magnetic reed contact. The filter capacity is defined as 379 litres (100 gallons) or 4 months (whichever occurs first). Each time "Brita" water is selected, as the water flow commences, the LED is activated and informs the user that the filter is still within its working life, or that it is due to be changed soon, or that it is past due for change. One green flash tells us that the filter is still working. One red flash indicates that 80% of the working life (300 litres) has been used and that approx. 75 litres or 2 weeks life is left. When the light flashes red seven times, that means the filter has to be changed immediately.