Twelve months under real-world conditions

Three months under the microscope – what the IIREC study reveals about our filter system

When we say that our filter system works reliably, we don’t just mean the first few days after unpacking. We mean the entire service life of a filter cartridge. This is precisely what was tested in a comprehensive long-term study by the IIREC – the International Institute for EMC Research in Krems an der Donau – under the scientific direction of Mag. Dr Walter Hannes Medinger.

The test setup

A new, unused MAUNAWAI Kini Set was tested over a period of three months. Every day, four litres of tap water were filtered through the system – a realistic usage scenario for an average household. The filter cartridge was not replaced throughout the entire test period – a deliberately chosen scenario that actually exceeds real-world usage conditions, as MAUNAWAI recommends replacing the cartridge after three months. This allowed for a precise assessment of how the filter performance develops over time and whether the filter cartridge continues to function reliably even under continuous use.

After three months, the test was intensified: solutions containing elevated concentrations of pollutants were specifically added to the water. This allowed us to test how the filter system reacts under extreme conditions – a stress test that goes far beyond normal everyday conditions.

What was examined

The range of parameters examined was wide-ranging and covered all key categories of drinking water analysis. Anions and non-metals such as ammonium, nitrite, nitrate and fluoride were tested. Light metal ions such as aluminium, sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium were included in the test plan, as were heavy metals – including iron, manganese and copper. Particularly noteworthy: the radioactive heavy metal uranium was also tested, as were arsenic, pesticides and hormone and medication residues.

The tests were carried out by several accredited, independent and state-approved laboratories, including the Commercial Institute for Environmental Analysis (GIU), the Laboratory for Environmental Analysis (UmLab), WSB Labor GmbH, PWU Potsdam and the Federal Environment Agency. This variety of testing institutes was a deliberate choice: commissioning several independent laboratories significantly strengthens the validity of the results. No single institute can distort the overall picture – the results corroborate one another.

The results

The results of the long-term study were impressive. For numerous pollutants, the concentration after filtration was below the technical detection limit – meaning the quantity was so low that it could no longer be detected using state-of-the-art measurement methods. This applied, among other things, to microorganisms and bacteria, Legionella, E. coli, coliform bacteria, enterococci, lead, chlorine, hormone and medication residues, as well as manganese, nickel, chromium and iron.

The system also demonstrated significant reduction rates for pollutants that remained in measurable concentrations. Uranium – a radioactive heavy metal that occurs naturally in groundwater in some regions – was reduced by 75%. Aluminium, which is suspected of affecting neurological processes, was reduced by 60%. Fluoride by 50%, nitrite by 74% and nitrate by 24% (with the Kini; the tabletop filter version achieved even better results for some parameters). Particularly noteworthy: the reduction figures were not achieved under ideal conditions, but after months of continuous use of the same cartridge.

The scientific conclusion

Dr Medinger summarised the results in a clear assessment: “From a biophysical perspective, the MAUNAWAI can system demonstrates an astonishing ability to purify water of inorganic or organic contaminants. The filter system proved particularly effective at removing toxic heavy metals, including uranium, as well as pesticides, pharmaceutical residues and hormone-like contaminants.”

Important for you: Although a slight reduction in filtering efficiency was observed towards the end of the test period, the results remained excellent throughout the entire twelve-month period – both in terms of pollutant reduction and biophysical water quality. This confirms that the replacement intervals recommended by MAUNAWAI are sensible and sufficient.

Biophysical water quality

In addition to chemical analysis, the biophysical water quality was also monitored throughout the entire test period. After three, six and twelve months, the MAUNAWAI-filtered water exhibited a biological resonance frequency of 22.5 Hz with positive circular polarisation – a value indicative of outstanding cellular permeability and similarity to cellular water. This biophysical quality remained stable throughout the entire test period – a remarkable result demonstrating that the filter system’s activating effect does not diminish.

Furthermore, analysis of the spectra at resonance frequencies of 22.6 Hz and 35 Hz revealed that the MAUNAWAI filtrate exhibits hexagonal water structures – as described by Prof. Pollack (University of Washington) – as well as pentagonal and Caduceus geometries, which Prof. Smith (University of Salford) had identified.

No bacterial contamination throughout the entire test

Another important finding: no contamination with harmful bacteria occurred throughout the entire test period. This is particularly relevant for gravity filters, where the water remains in the system without pressure or flow. The MAUNAWAI system thus demonstrated its hygienic safety even over a long period of use.

Why long-term studies are important

Many manufacturers test their filters only under ideal conditions – with fresh cartridges and controlled water. The IIREC study deliberately took a different approach: it tested under realistic everyday conditions and even tightened the requirements towards the end. The result shows that the MAUNAWAI filter system not only performs well at the start, but operates reliably throughout its entire service life. For you, this means: you can rely on your MAUNAWAI filter to deliver consistently high water quality from the first to the last fill. If you adhere to the recommended replacement intervals, you will benefit from water quality that is of the highest standard, both chemically and biophysically, throughout the entire service life.

If you would like to find out more about the individual filter layers and how they work, we recommend the ‘Our Technology’ section, particularly the ‘The Five Principles’ section.