The Science

Your water has been treated. Not purified.

Tap water meets regulations. But "compliant" doesn't mean "pure." Here's what science actually says — and how Puure's multi-barrier filtration responds.

2,100+
contaminants identified in drinking water worldwide
73%
of UK water supply areas have detectable PFAS levels
23,000
PFAS-contaminated sites identified across Europe
The facts

What's actually in your water

Official data. Not assumptions.

0.5 mg/L

Chlorine & disinfection by-products

Chlorine keeps water safe but reacts with organic matter to form trihalomethanes (THMs) — by-products the WHO links to increased bladder cancer risk with long-term exposure.

WHO — Trihalomethanes
PFAS

Forever chemicals

PFOA classified as a confirmed carcinogen (Group 1) by IARC/WHO in 2023. These chemicals persist in the environment indefinitely and accumulate in the body.

PFOA = Group 1 Carcinogen (IARC 2023) IARC/WHO Classification
100+

Pesticide residues in tap water

UK water companies test for over 100 pesticides. The Drinking Water Inspectorate regularly finds traces that pass through conventional treatment.

DWI — Water Quality
No safe level

Lead & heavy metals

The WHO confirms there is no safe level of lead exposure. The UK still has millions of homes connected via lead pipes installed before the 1970 ban.

WHO — Lead & health
1.5 mg/L

Fluoride (WHO threshold)

Naturally present in water, excess fluoride is linked to dental and skeletal issues. Some regions naturally exceed the WHO recommended limit.

WHO Guidelines 4th ed.
Scientific approach

Why a single layer isn't enough

"The most effective means of consistently ensuring the safety of a drinking-water supply is through the use of multiple barriers."

— WHO, Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, 4th edition, 2022

Each contaminant type requires a different technology. Activated carbon alone can't reduce heavy metals. KDF media doesn't capture fluoride. That's why Puure combines 6 complementary mechanisms in a single cartridge.

Read WHO Guidelines
Tap water enters
01Pre-filtrationMechanical
02Coconut shell carbonAdsorption
03KDF Cu-Zn mediaRedox
04PFAS reduction mediaTargeted adsorption
05Heavy metal mediaReduction
06Fluoride reductionMineral adsorption
Purified water
Multi-Barrier Filtration

Segue a água

Descobre como cada camada filtra contaminantes específicos — preservando os minerais essenciais.

H₂O Ca²⁺ Mg²⁺ Contaminants
1

Mechanical Pre-Filtration

Non-Woven Fiber

99%

Size exclusion — particles too large to pass

2

Carbon Adsorption (CTO)

Coconut Shell Carbon

98–99%

Adsorption — molecules stick to micropores

3

KDF Redox Reaction

KDF Media (Cu-Zn)

95–99%

Electrochemical — electron transfer changes metal state

4

PFAS Capture

PFAS Media

Up to 99%

Molecular binding — PFAS chains lock onto active sites

5

Heavy Metal Reduction

Heavy Metal Media

95–99%

Ion exchange — metals captured in matrix cells

6

Fluoride Reduction

Fluoride Media

90–98%

Mineral adsorption — F⁻ ions bind to mineral surface

Pure water H₂O + essential minerals preserved
Advanced filtration

6 barriers. 6 mechanisms. One cartridge.

Tap each stage to discover how it works — with an animated diagram.

<strong>Material: Non-woven fibre layer.</strong> Acts as an ultra-fine sieve — particles are physically blocked based on size. This protects inner layers and extends cartridge lifespan.

Targets:

SandRustSedimentVisible particles
Rust & sand
99%

<strong>The core of the cartridge.</strong> CTO = Chlorine, Taste, Odour. Coconut shell activated carbon contains millions of microscopic pores. Contaminants <em>adsorb</em> (stick to the surface).

Targets:

ChlorineTaste & odoursVOCsOrganic chemicalsPart of PFAS
Chlorine
98-99%
VOCs
60-80%

<strong>KDF = Kinetic Degradation Fluxion.</strong> A copper-zinc alloy that triggers redox reactions. Heavy metals become insoluble and are trapped. Also inhibits bacterial growth.

Targets:

LeadMercuryHeavy metalsMicroorganisms

<strong>PFAS are "forever chemicals"</strong> that don't break down. High-affinity media specifically binds PFAS molecules. EPA designated activated carbon as "Best Available Technology" for PFAS removal (2024).

Targets:

PFOAPFOSPFHxSGenX
PFAS
up to 99%

<strong>Enhances heavy metal reduction.</strong> Working in synergy with KDF (Stage 3), ensures stable long-term efficiency throughout the cartridge lifespan.

Targets:

LeadHeavy metals
Lead
95-99%
Heavy metals
95-99%

<strong>Mineral-based adsorption media</strong> reduces fluoride without reverse osmosis — preserving essential minerals.

Targets:

Fluoride
Fluoride
90-98%
Measurable results

Puure (advanced) Cartridge Performance

Every figure based on controlled test conditions.

Chlorine
Carbon adsorption
98–99%
Rust & sand
Mechanical filtration
99%
Lead
Electrochemical reduction
95–99%
Heavy metals
KDF + dedicated media
95–99%
PFAS
Molecular adsorption
up to 99%
Fluoride
Mineral adsorption
90–98%
E. coli
Multi-barrier
99%
Turbidity
Multi-barrier
90–97%
VOCs
Carbon adsorption
60–80%
Scientific publications

The studies that validate each technology

Peer-reviewed publications and official agency reports.

PFAS removal by GAC: 92-100% at full scale

Belkouteb et al. — Water Research, 2020

GAC removed 92-100% of 15 PFAS compounds at a full-scale treatment plant in Sweden.

EPA: GAC is "Best Available Technology" for PFAS

US EPA — April 2024

The EPA designated granular activated carbon among BATs to meet new PFAS limits.

WHO: Multi-barrier approach for water safety

WHO Guidelines, 4th edition, 2022

WHO recommends multiple barriers as foundational strategy for drinking water safety.

Fluoride reduction: mineral media 3x more effective

Water Research, 2023

Mineral-based media outperformed activated alumina by a factor greater than 3.

Transparency

What Puure is not

Puure is not reverse osmosis. And that's by design.

Reverse Osmosis
Wastes 3-5 litres for every 1 litre filtered
Complete demineralisation
Requires a pressure tank
Professional installation
Puure (advanced)
Zero waste — 100% of water used
Preserves essential minerals
No tank — connects directly
Installs in 2 minutes, no tools