STER-O-TAP® - How it works

Ster-O-Tap is a shower head with an integrated filter which prevents the risk of Legionnaires' disease at the point of use.  While the idea of water filters has been around for a while, Ster-O-Tap contains patented technology and is the first product which will successfully remove 99.999% of all bacteria and still cope with the high flow rates typical of a domestic water flow. 

Ster-O-Tap is available in Ireland through AquaChem , one of the largest providers of water treatment services in Ireland. It was developed in conjunction with Belgian company, Primewater, after similar technology was used in the medical market for the filtration of blood cells.

Each Ster-O-Tap shower head contains a filter (consisting of a bundle of capillary membranes). The wall of these membranes is highly porous and asymmetrical so while it allows a quite satisfactory water flow rate it also achieves a microfiltration of 0.15 microns (0.00015mm).

The filter used in Ster-O-Tap is replaceable and its service life will depend upon the concentration of Legionella-containing micro particles (and other bacteria) in the water to be filtered over time. Over time therefore, the membranes will gradually clog, which decreases the flow rate through the filter.  If the flow rate is no longer acceptable the filter should be replaced.  The service life of the shower filter can be prolonged if necessary by fitting a pre-filter in the supply line to the shower.