KX Matrikx 06-250-125-975 Lead, Cyst, Chlorine Taste and Odor Reduction Filter, 10-Inch

I live in an area where water contamination happens frequently (Northeast PA, Wilkes Barre and vicinity.) Any time a main breaks, you get reverse siphoning which means you get all kinds of crap sucked back into the water system, then it must be flushed out for a day or 2 before it's again safe to drink. And not to mention the documented cases of accidental chlorine poisoning through the public sanitary water supply. I don't always get the news that the water is under a "boil water warning" in a timely manner - so long story short - DO NOT TRUST TAP WATER. For my peace of mind, I prefer to filter the water through a dual-filter system (usually found as an under-counter or countertop setup, using two 10-inch filters.) I use a shower chlorine filter Sprite HO2-WH High Output Shower Filter, White to remove much of the chlorine. I use a dual filter system for drinking water, similar to this set: WMU - Countertop Dual-Stage Water Filtration System then the water gets put through a Pur dispenser PUR 18 Cup Dispenser w/ 1 Filter filter. I use the KX tech PB1 filters on both sides of the dual filter, not needing a larger micron pre-filter where I am located (we live about 200 yards from the water treatment plant, so the water is clean, although very high in chlorine.) If you have more turbid water, you may need a larger micron 1st stage filter, such as the KX Matrikx VOC KX Matrikx 01-250-125-975 High Capacity Chemical, Chlorine Taste and Odor Reduction Filter, 10-Inch then use the KX Matrikx PB1 filter in the 2nd stage to ensure safe water. These are ANSI certified filters. They do the job they advertise - removing pathogens and a large portion of volatile organic chemicals. You can use the same filter until it's basically clogged to the point of reduced water flow - anywhere from 6 months to a year or more, depending on how turbid the input water is. In my case. I dispose of the filters after a year, just to reduce the TDS (total dissolved solids, basically minerals and salts.) The filters are usable well beyond this time, as long as I'm still getting good flow. To my mind, these are worth the money for better tasting and safer drinking water!

***Note: It's been brought to my attention that the Matrikx CTO Plus should probably be installed first (tap source). Based on the product description, it is designed to deal with turbidity and sediment and has a slightly larger pore size. This is crucial if you're dealing with an untreated water source (e.g. well water). I've updated the review to reflect my current configuration. I'm on typical city-sourced water (with no turbidity/sediment problem). I was looking for a substitute for Watts Premier 560088 Lead, Cyst, VOC Carbon Block Two Stage Replacement Filter Pack that I was using in my Watts WP2BVC under-counter filter system (identical to the Watts 500313 2-Stage Undercounter Lead, Cyst & VOC Reducing Drinking Water System (WP2LCV) system, but uses different filter media for the carbon block). I decided to go with dual carbon block system because I had concerns about finding a sediment filter that didn't introduce additional contaminants, and I don't have a really turbidity/sediment problem. I got the KX Matrikx 01-250-125-975 High Capacity Chemical, Chlorine Taste and Odor Reduction Filter, 10-Inch (Matrikx CTO Plus, purple cap) and the KX Matrikx 06-250-125-975 Lead, Cyst, Chlorine Taste and Odor Reduction Filter, 10-Inch (Matrikx Pb1, grey cap). I flushed the filters in stages: installed the CTO Plus in the front housing (tap source) and flushed for 10 minutes, then installed the PB1 in the second housing (leave the CTO Plus in as well) and flush for another 10 minutes. This was to prevent the second carbon block from being saturated with the flush waste from the first carbon block. The first taste test yielded exactly the results I was expecting: high quality clean water. While impressive out of the gate, I'll have to revisit this review and see how these filters perform in the long run. FYI: If there are problems unscrewing the filter housing (even with a Housing Wrench ), the system is probably hydrolocked. In addition to closing the tap source valve, check that the faucet valve is open to let air in. Also, if the O-ring is not replaced, be sure to carefully remove the existing one (I used a small straight-slot screwdriver), and coat it with silicone grease . Update 21-AUG-2015: Changed rating from 4 to 5 stars. It's been well over a year and these filters continue to provide clean water at original pressure. I estimate we use no more than 5 gallons of filtered water a day. While that is less than half the expected life of this configuration, I'm pleased that it's working as advertised. Update 16-AUG-2016: I've decided to replace the filters for good measure. There was no problems with the flow, but I believe the taste was finally starting to be affected. The attached photos show a build up of sludge from two years of use on the tap source filter housing. I cleaned this using a half cup of bleach in hot water, rinsing, then soap and hot water with a paper towel. I will definitely be buying another set of these filters.

KX MATRIKX Pb1 part number 06-250-125-975, made in USA by KX, has been discontinued and replaced by 06-250-10-GREEN, made in India by Filtrex, but jointly developed by both companies: “KX Technologies® and Filtrex Technologies®, both Marmon Water/Berkshire Hathaway companies, have teamed up to combine the very best of their MATRIKX® and GREENBLOCK® carbon block lines, into a single world class product offering. The new and improved product line is the result of decades of experience in R&D, design, formulation, and manufacture of high-performance carbon block filters.” I received the “new” filter for the first time, the same as depicted in the photo in the review by “Storm” (April 12, 2017). There is no longer any part number, which is very odd for any product. There is only a 5-digit lot number and “Issue 2 June 2016,” the date version of the label. Exterior to the plastic wrap is a sticker bar code, 8858077168. The “old” filter was extruded activated carbon, whereas the new filter is ‘green block’ (coconut-shell carbon). Apparently, the ‘green block’ is a new and better carbon block form, not the standard coconut-shell granular activated carbon (GAC), which has historically been inferior and lower-cost compared to extruded carbon forms. Note that these two different carbon forms may result in different filter lifespans for various target chemicals, and may be clogged by sediments/particulates at different rates. The old extruded activated form by KX was touted for long life. The previous eight 06-250-125-975 filters I bought under this Amazon item had been tried and tested over many years. This is about drinking water—I’d like to be sure of what I’m getting now. UPDATE on 3 Jul 2018: This new-version filter (India) works as good or better than previous version (USA), based on flavor and odor in general, chlorine testing (every 3 days), and regular wide-range testing for state requirements for well water.

I've been using this cartridge for many years to filter NY city water, always loved the crisp and great taste it provides. After installation I just let the water run for about 10-15 minutes to rinse out the extra sweetness or grease from manufacturing. Then your water is ready for drinking. I like it better then Poland water. UPDATE: just a single (month) week after installing the one recently bought on Amazon, there is almost no water coming out of the filter! Arggh.. Something must have gone from bad to erase with the quality of the filters. I gave it another shot after using it for many years from a local supplier without a single issue. Reading now some other reviews more carefully, I can only assume the cartridges I received were counterfeits, not the ones made in USA. Unfortunately I haven't checked the labels but this is the second filter in a row that just stopped working in a month.

Not made in USA, as advertised. This filter is made in India. I went out of my way to source a drinking water filter made in the USA, and paid extra accordingly. The filter itself is fine, but I am concerned about the cost cutting by moving production overseas. I will not be purchasing again.

Not sure what is going on, used to love them, They were made in USA. The last order I got says Made in INDIA on the filter wrap. What the heck is going on? Are these Fake? Plugs up much quicker than last one that did say Made in USA. And nothing has changed with our water supply. I will leave my old review, so people can see I used to love them, not any more. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Very happy with it. It does reduce the flow, but, what do you expect with a .5 micron filter. Not really a whole house filter because of this issue, but, great for under the kitchen sink. Just wanted to update this. Still very happy with these filters. My water was always fairly good but I just wanted to go that extra little bit. Mainly for my home brewing. So a couple years ago I put a filter under the kitchen sink and started running all my drinking water and brewing water through these filters. Before I moved here I had used some other carbon filters that were not USA made. After a while they would start to get an off oder and I would change them long before they started to run slow indicating loss of filtration ability. When I started filtering at my current location I did not want that problem and did a bunch of research before I found these filters. If you are at all thinking about filtering your brewing water, I can't recommend these highly enough. They are a .5 micron filter, not a 5 micron filter like many. They are made in the USA. They fit a standard size whole house filter unit like you can buy in most stores that have water filters. After you run your water through this thing, your water will taste like nothing but water. You can tell when it needs changed because your water will begin to run slower and slower but it will still taste good. Just wanted to update this again. Still very happy with these filters. The best pure tasting water I have ever had. I think a pre-filter might be a good idea for us on well water because we do sometimes get sediment which quickly plugs this .5 micron filter mesh. Otherwise I can't recommend anything better.

Works - fits and does the job for my under sink water filter. Not too much of a pressure drop. For our city water I get around 6 months of use with the kitchen sink cold water tap and the chlorine funk taste is gone baby gone. 2 times a year replacement is fine by me. Used to use the Zero water pitcher, ugh...that was too time consuming and expensive. I'm using a simple Dupont universal under sink filter system and this fits and I think does a great job.

I have been filtering from before it was popular. I started in the late 80's. There are all types of fancy filtration systems, but the best ones are the ones that work, have ease of maintenance, and are relatively inexpensive. Over the years I have learned to how to investigate and evaluate filters. One of the most impressive facts about the KX MATRIKX Pb1 is that it meets California standards, which is at the top of the heap regarding water filtration. The array of elements the filter removes is impressive, particles down to .5 microns, an arms length of VOC's, lead, water bound cysts, chlorine, and more. For my personal system, I have a two stage system (two filters) the first filter does the "Brunt" of the cleaning, and the second filter (Pb-1) does the finishing. My first filter is a lesser quality charcoal filter to pre-treat the water, then the KX MATRIKX Pb-1 to finish. My two stage is under -the-counter, and this ... http://www.amazon.com/Watts-500313-Undercounter-Reducing-Drinking/dp/B0018MXH04/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1391200370&sr=8-2&keywords=watts+under+sink+water+filter ... from Watts is a unit very similar to mine. That being said, I have given my children and close friends a single-stage filtration system using one KX MATRIKX Pb-1. I used this housing from WATTS ... http://www.amazon.com/Watts-500315-Counter-Top-Drinking-Filter/dp/B0018MVZJE/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1391201692&sr=8-4&keywords=watts+under+sink+water+filter ... and I advise them to change the filter every six months. Both systems are great, the housing is the housing, but the filter you put inside is what makes the difference and the KX MATRIKX Pb-1 is a great filter with great specs for any municipal water system.

good filtering..have used this brand over 10years

Good price

Removes odor effectively. It took a while for carbon fines to wash away. I have been using this model for many years and I am satisfied with it. it is a little on the expensive side.

This filter is not made in USA. It is made in India.

Quedó a la perfección al instalarlo. La calidad y precio está muy aceptable. Si lo recomiendo.