A percentage alone does not indicate how long a filter remains effective. This page brings together the results measured for the Ultimate Star Filter®, the volumes actually tested and the full reports allowing each figure to be verified.
Depending on the report, the chemical analyses presented reach a final test point of 3,200 L per filter. The microbiological tests reach up to 3,000 L per filter.
Test methods, concentrations, flow rates and test points vary depending on the contaminant. Each result must therefore be considered within the scope of the corresponding report.
Quick answer
Performance is not documented solely with a new filter: all the chemical analyses presented were conducted up to 3,200 L per filter.
The categories studied are distinct: heavy metals, PFAS, perchlorates, pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, plastic-related compounds, solvents, chlorine, hormones, microplastics and microbiology.
The results are not extrapolations: the tables reproduce the test points actually stated in the published reports.
A laboratory analysis is not a product certification: the standard, analytical method, laboratory accreditation and any certification must be distinguished from one another.
Capacity and tested volume: the nominal capacity is 3,000 L per filter, giving a combined nominal capacity of 6,000 L for the pair supplied with a system.
Understanding the evidence
A filtration result is meaningful only when accompanied by four pieces of information: the substance tested, the test conditions, the volume reached, and the concentration measured before and after filtration.
Depending on the report, measurements are taken at start-up or at 10 L, followed by various test points that may include 750, 1,500, 2,250, 3,000 or 3,200 L.
The exact test points are specified in each table and report.
The published tests were carried out by independent third-party laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. The available accreditation documents can be viewed below.
Heavy-metal tests that require it are conducted with reference to NSF/ANSI 53 and at several pH levels. Other reports use a specific analytical method or a protocol requested by SWF.
The results apply to the stated sample, contaminant and conditions. They must not be extended to water of unknown origin or to unintended uses.
A “<” value corresponds to the limit stated in the report, not to an absolute absence.
Direct access
Select a category to go directly to the corresponding table. The PDF reports remain available beneath each result.
Published data
Open a category to view the measured reductions. The last column corresponds to the final test point in the relevant report. In the event of any discrepancy with this summary, the full reports take precedence.
| Contaminant | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,000 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacteria | >99.9999 % | 99.9999 % | 99.9048 % | 99.6590 % | >99.9999 % |
| Salmonella | >99.999 % | — | 99.6632 % | — | >99.999 % |
| Virus | 99.99 % | — | 99.98 % | — | 99.99 % |
Note: “—” = test point not tested / not applicable in this report.
| Metal | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium (Al) | 97.3 % | 99.2 % | 99.2 % | 99.3 % | 91.0 % |
| Arsenic (As) | 99.4 % | >99.6 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % |
| Barium (Ba) | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | 99.9 % | 99.7 % | 99.9 % |
| Cadmium (Cd) | >98.4 % | >98.4 % | >98.4 % | >98.3 % | >98.4 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | >99.7 % | >99.7 % | >99.6 % | >99.7 % | >99.6 % |
| Copper (Cu) | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Mercury (Hg) | >97.7 % | >97.9 % | >96.7 % | 97.0 % | 95.4 % |
| Lead (Pb) | 99.3 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % |
| Selenium (Se) | ND | ND | ND | ND | Not detected |
Note: “ND / Not detected” = below the detection limit stated in the report. Values marked “>” indicate a minimum reduction.
| Metal | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antimony (Sb) | 99.5 % | 99.4 % | 99.2 % | 99.5 % | 99.4 % |
| Beryllium (Be) | >99.5 % | >99.4 % | >99.4 % | >99.5 % | >99.4 % |
| Bismuth (Bi) | 99.5 % | >99.4 % | >99.4 % | >99.5 % | 98.5 % |
| Iron (Fe) | 98.18 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Manganese (Mn) | >99.9 % | 99.9 % | 99.9 % | 99.8 % | 99.9 % |
| Nickel (Ni) | >99.7 % | 99.7 % | 99.23 % | 98.48 % | 99.4 % |
| Zinc (Zn) | >99.9 % | 99.9 % | 99.9 % | 96.5 % | 97.3 % |
| Metal | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic (As) | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % |
| Barium (Ba) | 99.9 % | 99.9 % | 99.9 % | 99.9 % | 99.9 % |
| Cadmium (Cd) | >98.3 % | >98.4 % | >98.4 % | >98.4 % | >98.4 % |
| Chromium (Cr) | 98.7 % | >99.7 % | >99.6 % | >99.7 % | >99.7 % |
| Copper (Cu) | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Mercury (Hg) | >96.7 % | >96.6 % | >97.2 % | >98.2 % | >96.9 % |
| Lead (Pb) | >99.6 % | >99.6 % | >99.62 % | >99.62 % | >99.48 % |
| Selenium (Se) | ND | ND | ND | ND | Not detected |
| PFAS | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | >98.3 % | >97.9 % | >97.6 % | >97.8 % | >98.4 % |
| PFOS | >98.7 % | >99 % | >98.9 % | >99.2 % | >99 % |
| PFHxA | >99 % | >99 % | >99 % | >99 % | >99 % |
| TFA | >97 % | >96.9 % | >97.2 % | >97.3 % | >97.1 % |
| Parameter | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measured reduction | 92.4 % | >97.9 % | >97.9 % | >97.9 % | >97.9 % |
| Substance | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPA | >99.8 % | >99.8 % | >99.8 % | 99.4 % | >99.8 % |
| Nonylphenol | >99.3 % | >99.3 % | >99.3 % | >99.3 % | >99.3 % |
| Octylphenol | >99.8 % | 99.3 % | >99.8 % | 98.1 % | 99.1 % |
| Parameter | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total chlorine | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % |
| Free chlorine | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % |
| Chloramines | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % | >99.5 % |
| Substance | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Erythromycin | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Carbamazepine | 99.2 % | 99.2 % | 99.2 % | 99.2 % | 99.2 % |
| Primidone | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Diazepam | >98 % | >98 % | >98 % | >98 % | >98 % |
| Diclofenac | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Ibuprofen | 99.3 % | 99.3 % | 99.3 % | 99.3 % | 99.3 % |
| Naproxen | >97.9 % | >97.9 % | >97.9 % | >97.9 % | >97.9 % |
| Gemfibrozil | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Paracetamol | >98 % | >98 % | >98 % | >98 % | >98 % |
| Sulfamethoxazole | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Trimethoprim | >97.9 % | >97.9 % | >97.9 % | >97.9 % | >97.9 % |
| Hormone | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estradiol | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Ethinylestradiol | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Substance | Reduction at 3,200 L |
|---|---|
| Aldrin | >99.5 % |
| Dieldrin | >99 % |
| DDD | >99 % |
| DDT | >99 % |
| DDE | >99 % |
| Alpha-endosulfan | >96 % |
| Beta-endosulfan | >96 % |
| Endrin | >99.1 % |
| Heptachlor | >99.5 % |
| Lindane | >99.1 % |
| Methoxychlor | >98.5 % |
| Quintozene | >99 % |
| cis-Chlordane | >99.5 % |
| trans-Chlordane | >99.5 % |
| Chlorothalonil | >99.4 % |
| Atrazine | >99.7 % |
| Imidacloprid | >99.9 % |
| Metolachlor | >99 % |
| Glyphosate | >99.9 % |
| AMPA | >99.9 % |
| Glufosinate | 97.8 % |
| Chlordecone | >99.5 % |
| Substance | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benzene | >96.7 % | >96.7 % | >96.7 % | >96.7 % | >96.7 % |
| Toluene | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % | >99.9 % |
| Solvent | Reduction at 3,200 L |
|---|---|
| Vinyl chloride | >99.5 % |
| Dichloromethane | >99.9 % |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | >99.9 % |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | >99.8 % |
| Trichloromethane | >99.6 % |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | >99.9 % |
| Tetrachloromethane | >99.7 % |
| Trichloroethylene | >99.6 % |
| Tetrachloroethylene | >97.1 % |
| 1,1-Dichloromethane | >96.8 % |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | >97.7 % |
| Parameter | 10 L | 750 L | 1,500 L | 2,250 L | 3,200 L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Particles 5 µm–20 µm | 99.9 % | 99.7 % | 99.9 % | 99.9 % | 99.9 % |
Key points
Measured reductions achieved by the Ultimate Star Filter® for the contaminants, test points and conditions stated in the published reports.
The analyses make it possible to track changes in performance throughout the filter’s stated lifespan, and even beyond it for the chemical analyses conducted up to 3,200 L.
They do not demonstrate universal treatment of all water to drinking-water quality, or identical effectiveness under every possible condition.
They do not replace prior analysis of well water, rainwater or water of unknown origin, nor compliance with the instructions for use and hygiene.
Further reading
Laboratory performance data is more useful when related to how the filter works, its nominal lifespan and the test protocol.
Distinguish between nominal lifespan, the pair’s combined capacity and the volume actually tested.
View the filter lifespanMethodTest concentration, flow rate, test point and limit of quantification determine what can actually be concluded from a figure.
Understand test protocolsVOLUMES, TEST PROTOCOLS AND LIMITATIONS
The volume tested depends on the contaminant and the protocol used. The chemical analyses include measurements at several test points, up to 3,200 litres per filter. The microbiological tests were conducted up to 3,000 litres per filter.
These test points correspond to measurements taken at specific stages of the test. The exact volume and test conditions are specified in each report.
It corresponds to the volume filtered by a single filter element during the test. Each Ultimate Star Filter® has a nominal capacity of 3,000 L, meaning that the chemical analyses continued beyond its stated service life. As Star Water Filter® systems are equipped with two filters, their combined nominal capacity is 6,000 L.
The “>” symbol means that the reduction achieved is greater than the stated value. For example, “> 99%” means that the measured reduction is at least 99%, without a more precise percentage being calculable due to the analytical limit.
The “<” symbol means that the measured concentration is below the stated value, generally the detection or quantification limit of the method used.
The term “not detected” means that the substance was not detected above the limit specified in the report.
No. An analysis conducted with reference to NSF/ANSI 53 means that the test protocol follows certain conditions defined by this standard. This does not constitute NSF/ANSI 53 product certification. The Ultimate Star Filter® is, however, NSF/ANSI 42 certified for the materials from which it is made.
The Ultimate Star Filter® is designed to filter potable tap water or water of known quality. Its performance has been measured across a wide range of chemical and microbiological contaminants, up to 3,200 L depending on the analyses concerned.
Choose based on evidence
Ultimate Star Filter® filter elements are available in pairs to equip a compatible system. Our complete systems are supplied with two filters, providing a combined nominal capacity of 6,000 L, based on 3,000 L per filter.
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