Frequently Asked Questions

Thanks to the practical all-in-one solution of the BACHGOLD outdoor water filter, no external hoses or cumbersome components are needed to filter the water. You get filtered water within a few seconds and can drink it directly from the bottle.

The BACHGOLD outdoor water filter is made of BPA-free plastics such as ABS, polypropylene, silicone gel, and silicone.

The BACHGOLD outdoor water filter weighs around 400 g when empty.

The outer container of the BACHGOLD outdoor water filter holds 650 ml up to the indicated fill line. This means that after one filtration process, exactly 500 ml of filtered water is obtained.

The maximum application capacity is approximately 1500 liters of water. This corresponds to approximately 2500 applications before the filter needs to be replaced.

Over time, the pores of the membrane are gradually narrowed by the retained particles, which leads to a decrease in the flow rate. The filter must therefore be replaced as soon as hardly any water can be forced through it.

The filter element has a minimum shelf life of two years from the date of purchase.

The BACHGOLD outdoor water filter was specially designed for outdoor use to treat fresh water from natural sources. Therefore, any form of natural body of water (rivers, lakes, puddles, ponds, etc.) can serve as a water source. It is important to note that the effectiveness of the filter always depends on the type and concentration of existing contaminants. The right choice of water source can therefore be crucial for the filtration result.

Choosing a suitable water source is crucial for achieving optimal filtration results. To minimize the existing risks in outdoor water treatment, the best possible water source should always be used. For example, flowing waters generally have a lower contamination level than standing waters due to their self-purifying effect. At the same time, water extraction near industrial sites, wastewater treatment plant discharges, or other potential sources of pollution should be avoided. Therefore, the suitability of a water source for extraction and treatment should always be decided based on local conditions.

The BACHGOLD Outdoor Water Filter was specifically designed for outdoor use to treat freshwater from natural sources. While the filter system is also suitable for treating tap water, a deviation from the intended area of application could impair the filtration result.

The BACHGOLD outdoor water filter can generally also be used for treating tap water. Given the considerable regional variations in tap water quality, it is advisable to check the quality of your tap water in advance to prevent potential risks.

The suitability of the filter for rainwater treatment depends on various factors. In particular, the duration of rainwater storage and the location where it was collected play a crucial role. Rainwater that falls near large industrial facilities, for example, may have an increased chemical load. Similarly, the microbial load may increase if the rainwater is stored for an extended period.

The suitability of the BACHGOLD outdoor water filter for multi-day tours depends on the conditions and duration of the tour. The greater the deviations from the instructions for proper filter maintenance, the greater the risk of filter contamination. The decision as to whether the tour conditions can ensure the hygiene of the filter or not is therefore your own responsibility and at your own risk.

Ensure that the water does not exceed the fill line of the outer container and that there is no air between the water surface and the filter element before starting the actual filtering process. Check that the sealing ring on the filter element is properly seated and make sure the drinking cap remains open throughout the filtering process.

Since the filter element is connected to the inner bottle via a screw cap, it is possible that if the two containers are separated by an incorrectly executed twisting motion, the screw cap may loosen and the filter may remain at the bottom of the outer container.

Insert the inner bottle into the outer container until it touches the filter element. While gently squeezing both containers, rotate the inner bottle several times clockwise and, at the same time, the outer container counter-clockwise. This movement connects the inner bottle and the filter element via the screw connection. Then, separate the inner bottle from the outer container while maintaining the rotating motion.

To separate the two containers, it is recommended to screw the lid onto the inner bottle. This provides more space to place your hand and thus allows for a firmer grip. Then, open the drinking spout before you start separating the two containers. Now, grasp the lid with your right hand and the outer container with your left hand. Rotate the lid with the inner bottle clockwise and the outer container counter-clockwise. Then, try to separate the two containers while maintaining the rotating motion.

After use, rinse the filter element of the BACHGOLD Outdoor Filter with clear water to remove coarse impurities from the lower part. All other components of the water filter, with the exception of the filter element, can be cleaned in the dishwasher.

It is important to note that no soap or vinegar essence is used to clean the filter element of the BACHGOLD outdoor water filter. These substances can leave residues or permanently damage the filter material.

In addition to cleaning the filter by rinsing it with clean water, the filter can be disinfected. It is important to ensure that the disinfectant is suitable for the filter and does not leave any harmful residues. After the disinfection process, the filter should be thoroughly rinsed and dried before being used again.

Timely and complete drying of the filter element is crucial to eliminate the breeding ground for germs and ensure filter hygiene.

Perform 2–3 filtering operations without water. This way, some of the water still in the filter is forced out by the air pressed through it, even before the actual drying process. Since the drying time is largely determined by temperature, humidity, and air circulation, the filter element should then be placed in as dry and well-ventilated a place as possible for drying.

To shorten the drying time, you can place the filter near a heat source (e.g., a heater). It is important to ensure that the filter does not get too hot, as this could damage the filter material.

Choose a clean, dry, and well-ventilated location for filter storage. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperatures, as these can damage the filter materials.

The filter should always be stored in a clean, dry place, protected from direct sunlight if possible. Since it is not always clear after the previous drying process whether the filter is completely dry inside, we recommend storing the filter separately from the other components of the water filter. This allows any moisture still present inside the filter to dry during storage.

Yes, as long as the 2-year shelf life has not been exceeded, the filter can generally be reused without problems even after a longer storage period.

The filter system of the BACHGOLD Outdoor Water Filter consists of two filter stages: a hollow fiber membrane filter and an activated carbon filter.

A hollow-fiber membrane filter consists of tiny tubes with microscopic pores in their walls. As water flows through these tubes, impurities like dirt, bacteria, and other particles get trapped in the pores, while the purified water flows through.

An activated carbon filter works through an adsorption process. The porous structure of activated carbon allows it to attract impurities from the water and bind them to its surface. This removes unwanted substances, organic compounds, and odors from the water, while clean water passes through the filter.

The BACHGOLD outdoor water filter reliably removes 99.99% of all bacteria and protozoa.

The BACHGOLD outdoor water filter is not suitable for treating saltwater.

The degree to which viruses are removed by the filter system depends primarily on the form in which the viruses are present in the water. While free virus particles are highly unlikely to be captured by our filter due to their small size, viruses bound to particles can be removed by our filter, provided these particles are larger than the membrane's filtration accuracy of 0.2 µm. Therefore, we cannot guarantee that viruses will always be reliably removed.

The BACHGOLD outdoor water filter is capable of filtering out microplastics to a high degree. Essentially, plastic particles larger than 0.2 µm are reliably removed.

The effectiveness of the BACHGOLD outdoor water filter can vary depending on the type and concentration of chemicals and heavy metals. Therefore, it is possible that certain chemicals and heavy metals may not always be reliably and completely removed.

The specification "log" for water filters refers to the filter performance and indicates how effectively the filter can remove contaminants from the water. "Log" stands for the logarithm to base 10. For example, if a filter specifies a 4-log reduction, it means that it is able to remove 99.99% of contaminants from the water. The higher the log reduction, the more effective the filter is at removing contaminants from the water.

Our water filter was tested by an independent laboratory in accordance with the specifications of the NSF P231 protocol. This tests the filter's percentage reduction against bacteria. In the most recently conducted test series, our water filter achieved a filtration performance of Log 8 against E. coli bacteria, which corresponds to a reduction of 99.999999%.

NSF P231 is a certification standard from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for drinking water filters designed to reduce or remove microbiological contaminants. This standard defines the requirements and test methods a water filter must meet to test its effectiveness in reducing specific pathogens. The process specifies a particular composition of the water used for testing, a multi-day testing procedure, and the amount of water for which the tested product must maintain a certain performance capability.

The NSF (National Science Foundation) is an independent agency of the American government that specializes in cooperation with the WHO (World Health Organization) in the development of standards, certification programs, and testing procedures in the field of public health, safety, and the environment. The norms and standards developed by the NSF are recognized worldwide today by government agencies, industry representatives, and consumers due to the organization's expertise and many years of experience.