CRYSTAL QUEST&reg; Countertop Disposable Single Nitrate Multi PLUS Water Filter System Water travels through 7 stages of filtration In stage 1, and 7 water water flows through pre and post one - micron filter pads (1 micron equals 1/25,000th of an inch), which remove suspended particles such as silt, sediment, cyst (Giardia, Cryptosporidium), sand, rust, dirt, and other un-dissolved matter. In stage 2, water travel through Nitrate-selective resin REMOVAL resin. Nitrate reduction is 90% to 95% and breakthrough is not affected by sulfate levels. The capacity is 3000 ppm of nitrates as CaCO3. To determine capacity, first calculate the ppm of nitrates as CaCO3, then divide that number into 3000 to get the gallons. This cartridge can be regenerated using sodium chloride brine. In stage 4, water flows through ion exchange resins, reducing heavy metals such as lead, copper, aluminum, and water hardness. In stages 3 and 5, water flows through a bed of media made of a special high-purity alloy blend of two dissimilar metals - copper and zinc (ERA-6500 and ERA-9500). ERA-6500 and ERA-9500 are major advancements in water treatment technology that works on the electro-chemical and spontaneous-oxidation-reduction (Eagle Redox Alloy) principles. Chlorine is instantaneously and almost inexhaustibly oxidized. In stages 6, water flows through coconut shell granulated activated carbon (GAC). GAC is universally recognized and widely used as an effective adsorbent for a wide variety of organic contaminants, such as chlorine (99.9%), chemicals linked to cancer (THM's, benzene) pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, volatile organic compounds (VOC's), PCB's, MTBE's and hundreds of other chemical contaminants that may be present in water causing bad taste and odors in your drinking water. A diverter valve switches between filtered and unfiltered water. Sits on the counter and easily connects to most kitchen faucet. Dimensions: 3.5"L x 10.5" H x 3.5" W