Kohler Clarity Water Filter

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$65.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Water Mission, World Vision, Rotary International and Operation Blessing.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Rainfresh MP4U Gravity Filter, Tulip Table Top Filter, and Nazava Water Filter.

Regions

Worldwide

Manufacturing/Building Method

The Kohler Clarity is manufactured in Arkansas, USA and made out of durable food-safe plastic. The Clarity filter cartridge is made out of silver-impregnated ceramic. Pallets ship with extra spigots and filter cartridges.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

Users can obtain the product through distributions by a partner organization or by ordering online from Business Connect.

Distributions to Date Status

Kohler has distributed 15,000 filters since 2016 through partner organizations Water Mission, World Vision, Rotary International and Operation Blessing in Haiti, Honduras, Peru, Puerto Rico, Louisiana USA, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Lebanon.

Design Specifications

The Kohler Clarity is designed to filter microbiologically contaminated drinking water through a replaceable ceramic filter for a family of four, producing up to 40 liters of water per day with 12 liters of safe storage. On their webpage, the manufacturer claims that the filter reduces bacteria, protozoa, and cysts by 2 logs, however, testing at Tufts University determined a >5.2 log reduction of E. coli through the filters. This product does not treat chemical contamination.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Technical support is available from the instruction manual in English, French, and Spanish. Instructions are also available in a series of videos and pictorial instructions are printed on the underside of the plastic lid as pictured below.

Replacement Components

The Clarity filter cartridge is available online for 15 USD. The Kohler Clarity ceramic filter cartridge is part of the Springboard Initiative’s C1 Common Interface so the replacement filters from other manufacturers will also work with the Kohler Clarity.

Lifecycle

The filter has the capacity to treat 5,000 liters before it needs replacing. There is no end-of-life indicator so users are recommended to check the filter cartridge periodically for cracks, and to regularly clean it with sandpaper when flow is reduced. When cleaning with sandpaper does not restore flow due to irreversible fouling or there are cracks present in the cartridge, the filter cartridge needs to be replaced.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The Kohler Clarity is designed to meet WHO (World Health Organization) water quality standards for microbiological contamination, filter up to 40 liters per day at a rate of 2 liters per hour, have a 23 liters total water capacity (11 L dirty, 12 L clean with safe storage), and be easy to assemble and clean. It is also nestable for shipping as individual filters or in bulk.

Vetted Performance Status

Biological testing done by Tufts University showed 5 log E. coli removal, and Biological Consulting Services found compliance with the USEPA P231 Protocol (Microbiological Water Purifiers) and additional Kohler-specified protocols for Salmonella, Shigella, parasites, and E. coli.

Safety

No known safety risks if used properly.

Complementary Technical Systems

A pre-filter is required for the treatment of turbid water.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Meets World Health Organization drinking water quality guidelines for treatment of biological pathogens, bacteria, protozoa, and cysts.

Evaluation methods

Laboratory testing for reduction of E. coli through the filter

Other Information

Can replace the Kohler Clarity filter cartridge with cartridges from other C1 Common Interface products, including cartridges from Imerys (India) and PureEasy (China)