Cartridge filter or backwash protective filter?

There are basically two types of drinking water protective filters: cartridge filters and backwash filters. In the case of cartridge filters, as the name suggests, the filter insert must be replaced regularly. Backwash protective filters are cleaned simply by reversing the water flow.

To say it in advance: The valid standards and guidelines do not give any recommendations as to which design is preferable.

In Spain for example a backwash filter is mandatory for drinking water.

A disadvantage of cartridge filters is that their owner must take care of changing and re-ordering the filter elements. In addition, replacing a filter screen generates a lot of waste – from the used filter element to the product and shipping packaging. In the case of the backwash protective filter, this is offset by the amount of water consumed during backwashing.

Another problem with the cartridge filter is that the homeowner has to deal with parts that come into contact with water. This is basically a hygiene risk. In addition, the water supply must be interrupted to change the filter. This is not allowed in Spain, for example.

A plus point that backwash protective filters can bring into the field: In the automatic version, these protective filters simply do the cleaning themselves. The automatic backwash protective filters of the JUDO germ protection class, for example, use various parameters to calculate when backwashing is due and carry it out independently. This means that the owner does not even have to go to the basement. And still he can be sure: His filter is cleaned efficiently and always at the right time.