How long do BOROUX Foundation Filters last?

We recommend replacing a pair of BOROUX Foundation Filters every 12 months. Filter lifespan will vary depending on source water quality and usage. 

A pair of Foundation Filters is warrantied and guaranteed to effectively filter contaminants for the entire recommended lifespan of 12 months. 

When to replace the BOROUX Foundation Filters?

The black BOROUX Foundation Filters are designed to provide high-quality drinking water for extended periods. Understanding when to replace them is essential to maintain optimal performance. When you really look into how long the filters effectively reduce contaminants, you can see the incredible value of BOROUX.

What is the lifespan of the BOROUX Foundation Filters?

For optimal performance, replace your BOROUX Foundation Filters annually. This is based on performance testing, typical tap water conditions, and average usage. BOROUX prioritizes water quality and transparency—annual replacement helps ensure your system continues to meet those high standards. Over time, the filter media becomes saturated with contaminants like chlorine, lead, VOCs, and PFAS. Once full, it may lose effectiveness and slow water flow. Replacing it annually keeps your water clean and your system working as designed.

Factors Influencing Filter Lifespan

Several factors, such as usage, maintenance, and the specific contaminants present in your water, play a determining role in when exactly to replace the filters. The precise lifespan of your BOROUX Foundation Filters depends largely on the quality of your unique source of water. For example, if you have heavily contaminated water, you may want to replace your filters more frequently. If your source water is pretty clean and uncontaminated to start with, you may be able to replace your filters less frequently. Ultimately, replacement frequency is up to you. Using the BOROUX Foundation Filter beyond 12 months may reduce its ability to filter effectively. As the media reaches capacity, contaminants may begin to pass through and water quality may decline.
Our recommendation ensures the average user is protected from the most contaminants for the longest period of time. We guarantee a pair of filters will be effective for 12 months, therefore we recommend the lifespan is 12 months. 

Key indicators that it may be time for a replacement include a reduced flow rate and changes in taste, odor, or appearance of the water. These signs suggest that the filter is becoming saturated with contaminants and may no longer be effectively filtering your water.

The National Academy of Medicine recommends that women drink 0.71 gallons per day and men drink 0.97 gallons of water per day. Rounding up to one gallon, to account for using BOROUX filtered water for pets, cooking, washing produce and watering plants, we calculated that on average a person drinks or uses approximately one gallon per day. If a family of four drinks filtered water for a year, that's 1,460 gallons. 

Using that approximation and cross referencing it with average U.S. water quality and our test data, we determined that replacing the filters annually is the best way to ensure clean, healthy water. 

Replacement Recommendations Based on Test Data 

Testing shows the number of gallons that a pair of BOROUX Foundation Filters are effective at filtering certain contaminants. For example, our testing proves that a pair of filters effectively filters PFAS for 800 gallons (see test reports). If your tap water has PFAS present at 2 ug/L, you’ll want to replace your filter at 800 gallons. It's important to note that this high concentration level is used for testing purposes only and is significantly higher than what is typically found in tap water. Therefore, under normal conditions, your filters will likely be effective for more gallons than indicated. Consider the specific contaminants in your source water and their concentrations or quantity.

Testing Methodology

We are revolutionizing the testing procedures for the water filter industry. No other water filter product we know of has undergone this detailed and extensive testing. Thousands of gallons of water flow through these filters in testing to determine exactly how many gallons the filters effectively filter each contaminant. 

See the Test Results

BOROUX Foundation Filters have been tested by International Association of Plumbers and Mechanical Officials, Research and Testing (IAPMO R&T) Lab NJ, an ISO/IEC 17025 recognized laboratory. The International Standard Organization (ISO) standard 17025:2017 specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of laboratories, adhering to the specifications defined in the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, 42, 53, and 401.

A test is run by adding a certain amount of a contaminant to a specific volume of water, then letting that mixture flow through the filter, followed by testing the filtered water to measure the remaining amount of that contaminant. A single filter is used for each test, which means that if you use two filters in your system, the results can be doubled. For example, if the report says 4,500 gallons for a set of filters, it will effectively reduce that contaminant for up to 9,000 gallons.

The water tested after filtration must meet or exceed the NSF standards for each contaminant. The Maximum Allowable Effluent Concentration indicates the accepted contaminant level after filtration.

Testing continues until the amount of a contaminant after passing through the filter matches or exceeds the allowable limit. Where the report states 4,500 gallons, it means 4,500 gallons have actually passed through the filter—no projections or estimations, just actual, factual, verified data.

Gallonage Chart

It's critical to understand that every source water is different. The contaminants that are present in some zip codes are not present in others. The concentration or quantity of those contaminants changes from area to area. Tap water in California is vastly different from well water in Florida. For this reason, your replacement timing may vary. For best results, replace every 12 months. Monitor your water quality and usage for continued effective filtration. We encourage you to test your source water and really understand your unique water. 

Rest Assured

BOROUX offers a 60-day money-back guarantee providing you with peace of mind and assurance in the quality and reliability of our products. The black Foundation Filters come with a one-year warranty. By replacing your filters at the recommended intervals, you can maximize their effectiveness and maintain the highest water quality standards for your household.

If you have questions about recommended replacement or the test reports, contact us.