Cost Effectiveness​

• Why are Seagull IV purification systems the best value and so much better than other systems on the market?

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Because they do more, do it better and consistently work effectively, longer than other products.  In fact, to our kno0wledge, General Ecology's "Structured Matrix" is the only technology independently certified to meet U.S. Federal Guide Standard for Microbiological Purifiers, without the use of chlorine, or other chemicals, "hold time", electricity or multiple processing. Our purifiers also remove many chemicals, even in trace quantities, and foul tastes and odours, to provide "bottled or better" quality at a fraction of the cost.  With a flow rate of four or eight litres per minute and manufactured from 300 series, hospital finish stainless steel, they're durable, dependable and economical.

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• How much does the water purifier cost? Is a water purifier cheaper than buying bottled water?

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Surprisingly the Seagull 1V X-1F Water Purifier in addition to being far more convenient, more effective and far less space and weight consuming, is very economical to operate when compared to drinking water of similar quality. Bottled water for example can cost $1.50 or more per litre while Seagull 1V water, freshly purified at the time and place where it is being used, has an ongoing cost of around $0.05 per litre - that's 5 cents per litre! Another much more important comparison is the cost of having the "blahs" or becoming ill from water-borne contaminants or even "unfamiliar" tap drinking water when traveling.

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Putting this in perspective 4,000 litres of bottled water costs $6,000.00 or more while a 4000 litre Seagull IV X-1F replacement cartridge costs less than $185.00 and an entire system with cartridge costs a fraction of the price of 4,000 litres of bottled water. Remember, Seagull IV water purifiers are much more than effective taste and odour systems, they can remove pathogens and many chemical contaminants to non-detectable levels.

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• With so many different water products appearing on and disappearing from the market, how can I be sure I'll be able to get cartridges and warranty service on a Seagull IV Drinking Water Purification System?

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You're right; "new" products seem to come and go quickly in this market. General Ecology, Inc. is a well founded, privately owned company incorporated over 34 years ago. They developed the "Structured Matrix?" technology and remain the only source for this advanced technology even though many companies have attempted to copy it.

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General Ecology, Inc. are broad based and supply major airlines around the world including Delta, American, Cathay Pacific, QANTAS, Mexicana airlines; Sunseeker, Oyster, Island Packet, Amel, Riva, J-Boats and dozens of others. Besides meeting the needs of the individual, they've supplied many expeditions, medical research teams, major corporations and government agencies including army field hospitals. Their products are tested worldwide and are distributed into many countries. They believe you can judge a company by its customers and these include some of the most sophisticated and discerning in the world.

Replacement cartridges are available globally - and of course, through Crystal Clear Water!

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General Questions

 

• What contaminants are the General Ecology water purifiers effective against?

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The Seagull IV water purifiers have been tested and found effective in the removal of:

• 1,1,2-Trichloroethane

• 1,2-Dibromomethane (EDB)

• 1,4-Dichlorobenzene

• 2,4,5-TP (Silvex)

• 2,4-D

• Aldicarb (Temik)

• Carbon Tetrachloride

• Chlordane

• Chlorine Residual

• Methoxychlor

• MTBE

• P-chlorobenzene

• PCB

• Tetrachlorethylene (PCE)

• Trichloroethylene (TCE)

• Trihalomethane Total

• Campylobacter jejuni

• Cryptosporidium

• Escherichia coli

• Escherichia coli 0157:H7

• Fecal Coliform

• Giardia lamblia

• Listeria monocytogenes

• Poliovirus and Rotavirus

• Pseudomonas aerigompsa

• Salmonella typhi

• Yersinia enterocolitica

• Iron

• Lead

• 1,1,1-Trichloroethane

• 1,1 Dichloroethylene

• 1,2-Dichloroethylene

• Benzene

• Bromodichloromethane

• Bromoform

• Cadmium

• Carbontetrachloride

• Chloroform

• Chromium

• Dibromochloromethane

• Lead

• Mercury

• Methylene Chloride

• Phenols

• Tetrachloroethylene

• TOC

• Trichloroethylene

• Trihalomethane Total

• Vinyl Chloride

 

For more information on the removal effectiveness, please refer to the Seagull IV Product Data Sheet.

See also what are the effects of contaminants and view the comparison of the effectiveness of contaminant removal. 

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• What makes General Ecology's products different?

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While there are many reasons, probably the two most compelling are:

(1) General Ecology's technology was specifically designed by multi-disciplined scientists and engineers, from a comprehensive overview analysis, to protect against modern society's environmental and ecological pollutants. Most other products have evolved from older water softening or charcoal filtering products.

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(2) This "Next Generation" technology, now referred to as "Structured Matrix™" includes a combination of truly advanced purification concepts and purification techniques not available from any other product. It is truly a purification process - instantly and effectively removing from water: disease bacteria, cysts and viruses, as well as chemical and aesthetic contaminants without chemical additives, electricity, holding time or double processing or waste water.

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There is no other purification product like it on the market - the technology is a trade secret, unique and proprietary to General Ecology Inc. "Structured Matrix™" remains the only technology independently certified to meet US EPA Microbiological Purification Standards against all three classes of water-borne disease microorganisms without the use of chemicals, hold times, electricity and wastewater.

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General Ecology, Inc pride themselves on the years of research and development that resulted in the amazing capabilities of these water purifiers. The testimony to their outstanding success is continually evidenced not only by unexcelled test results but also by over 34 years of satisfied users in a wide range of activities worldwide.

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• Why are Water Purifiers far better than Water Filters?

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General Ecology, Inc.'s drinking water purifiers are the only water purifiers that utilise "Structured Matrix" technology to offer the highest level of water purification instantly without chemicals, pre-treatment, double processing or hold time. General Ecology's water purifiers remove viruses, bacteria and protozoa, PLUS many organic and inorganic chemical and aesthetic contaminants at the highest "purification" micron level (0.1 Microns Nominal - 0.4 Microns Absolute) to provide great tasting water while protecting against water related disease. By comparison, even the very best water filters only remove certain protozoa and perhaps bacteria and possibly certain aesthetic contaminants, providing a lesser standard of protection than that of General Ecology's water purifiers.

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General Ecology's purification technology is independently certified to USEPA. Guide Standard for Microbiological "Purification" against disease bacteria, cysts and viruses! Without Chemicals! Why risk merely filtering your drinking water when you can purify it instantly, effectively and economically? Add Purity to Your Life...

Check out our Seagull IV water purifiers for Home or Boating use, our Nature Pure water purifiers for RV or Boats and our First Need Portable water purifiers for International Travel, Outback Camping, On the Farm and Emergency Preparedness.

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• Isn't it necessary to add chemicals to destroy bacteria and viruses?

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Normally, yes. Chlorine, bromine, iodine, ozone and sometimes silver and other pesticides (economic poisons) are frequently used in efforts to destroy bacteria and viruses. Because it is General Ecology's goal to remove chlorine and other economic poisons, it simply makes no sense to add even more of them during the so-called purification process. The Seagull IV water purifier does not rely on chemicals and is well-known as the ecologically friendly, chemical free water purifier!

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• What bacteria should I be aware of in my drinking water and what happens to them after they're removed by the General Ecology Water Purifier?

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Fortunately, there are only a few strains of bacteria you normally need to be concerned about relative to drinking water. These are salmonella, of which S. typhosa, or typhoid fever, bacteria is the best known, shigella, which causes diarrhea and cramping, the dreaded cholera of the Middle Ages and some foreign countries at the present time and the well-known E. coli. Additionally, some bacteria, such as Campylobacter Jejeuni, which formerly were considered to be nonpathogenic to man, have been found to be human pathogens. Bacteria also have relatively short life spans (measured in hours, not days or years).

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Bacteria, like people, need food to exist and multiply. Typically, this food comes from organic contamination in the water. Since Bacteria are removed on the outer surfaces of the cartridge matrix and the nutrients (food for the bacteria) are absorbed in the interior of the matrix, the Seagull IV purification cartridge effectively isolates bacteria from an essential food base. Bacteria, without food, are unable to reproduce. Also, in many situations, incoming water will contain contaminants such as chlorine, phenols, pesticides, etc., which are hostile to, and help kill, bacteria concentrated on the outside of the matrix.

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​​I'm concerned about viruses and have been told that ordinary filters don't remove this potential carcinogen. What about the Seagull IV purifier?​

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You've been told correctly that ordinary filters don't reliably remove viruses. But the Seagull IV system is much more than a mere filter. The Seagull IV water purifier is a sophisticated "purification" device that is certified to meet US EPA standards to remove viruses.

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• In view of Australia's water shortage, how can I justify installation of one of these drinking water units? I've heard water filters waste several litres of water for each one processed, and that long backwashes are needed.

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This is true of some water filtration units, particularly those relying on Reverse Osmosis ("RO") where litres of precious water can be wasted. The Seagull IV water purifier wastes no water, requires no backwash and has no reject water. The Seagull IV purifier, rather than wasting water, helps conserve it.

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Also, as water shortages continue, water quality is bound to deteriorate as aquifers and reservoirs are drawn further down, sometimes reaching the sludge material at the bottom. Water is a natural resource like petroleum, and like petroleum, unfortunately, we are rapidly depleting known fresh water reserves.

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• How can a small unit under my sink do more than a large well-run Municipal Water Treatment Plant?

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The Seagull IV water purifier was specifically designed for today's contamination problems and incorporates sophisticated separation technology not available or not practical for use in large scale treatment.

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Most municipal treatment plants are well operated but were designed and built decades ago to handle what, in many ways, were simpler problems. They were not designed to handle chemical contamination, Giardia, Cryptosporidia, asbestos, etc. It will be decades in the future before these plants can be upgraded. Also, even if plants were upgraded, the distribution systems can contribute to the contamination in your drinking water.

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• Why shouldn't I purify all my water?

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Only about 2% to 5% of all water entering your household is actually consumed directly or through foods. It would be wasteful and uneconomical to micro-purify water needed for scrubbing, toilet flushing and laundering.

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• I've heard that recent research shows that more contamination can enter the body through pores in the skin than enters the body through ingestion. What can I do about this problem?

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We've seen some of this information also, and it makes sense because the skin is quite porous - that's how we perspire. General Ecology's Spark-L-Pure microfiltration unit can easily handle the flow requirements for an entire household to provide excellent quality water for bathing, dishwashing and other higher flow requirements. These stainless steel units are very compact, convenient and easily installed. Contact us for details.

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CONTAMINANT REMOVAL COMPARISON CHART

 

The following table compares the contaminant removal capabilities for different types of water filtration and water purification systems.

? = Comparisons are from general information. Performance varies widely within each category.
+ = Usually not effective against organic contaminants ordinarily found in drinking water.
 

Check manufacturer's claims and test results for specific information.

The Structured Matrix technology as used in the Seagull IV and First Need products effectively removes all contaminants.

For more information, please refer to the Seagull X1, X2 and X6 Product Data Sheet (PDF file 109kB).

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