The most popular system sold in the United States since 1987.
Imagine a bottled drinking water factory for your home for the cost of a cup of coffee per day. Most homes have central heat and A/C, you can now enjoy the upgrade and benefits of EWS "Central Water Filtration."

The EWS-1354 is the standard unit designed to filter all your water throughout your home and to assist with the problems associated with water hardness (naturally found calcium and magnesium minerals). Enjoy chlorine-free, easy wipe-up, filtered water for your entire home or facility. Maintenance free for up to 10 years. Designed for any home with a 3/4" to 1" main water service line and moderate to high water hardness (up to 500 mg/l or 30 grains) and flow rates up to 15gpm. Larger units are available based on your main water service line size.

Click here for a tearsheet on the EWS Series, including this model.

Click here for a complete PDF booklet on this model.

EWS water filtration protects you and your family.
EWS filtered water can be used for all purposes, for you, your family, and your pets and plants.

• Drinking and cooking
• Bathing and showering
• Steam and sauna

Sixty-five (65) pounds or 2.5 cu.ft. of medical high-grade granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration media removes chlorine, chloromines, pesticides, lead, and other volatile organic compounds (VOC's), creating a healthy environment and improving the taste, clarity and odor of all your water.

EWS water conditioning protects your investment in your home.
EWS physical conditioning helps solve problems associated with hard water (up to 30 grains) without the disadvantages of softening, salts, and chemicals. In use worldwide, our catalytic process is called Increased Calcite Nucleation (ICN). Once the water has been filtered, the water travels up through the riser and the manifold containing the ICN, where the conditioner breaks apart the calcium and magnesium minerals from the bonds of the water molecules. Once in suspension, the minerals become attracted to each other and form concentric patterns which no longer adhere to surfaces, actively inhibiting scale formation.

What does this mean for you and your home?
* Prevent or inhibit scale build-up in pipes and water heaters
• Easier wipe off and clean up of water spotting than untreated water
• Use less soaps and detergent
• Protects the warranty on your home's appliances
* Environmentally-friendly — no salts, no chemicals, no corrosive softeners
• Feel clean after your shower instead of the "slick" residual softener feeling

EWS delivers healthy, valuable results for the cost of a cup of coffee per day.
Shower in chlorine-free water, enjoy filtered water from every sink, wipe up water spots easily, no salt or brine discharge, use less soaps, and prevent scale build-up within your pipes and water heater — creating a healthier environment for you and your family.

In addition, EWS will deliver water throughout your home at the flow rate and pressure you are used to. The maintenance-free unit automatically backwashes, which does not allow the filtration media to pack, channel or pool, preventing any bacterial build-up and providing continuously renewed surface area for filtration. Change out our biodegradable carbon media (GAC) and ICN conditioner up to every 10 years based on your usage and conditions.

EWS is the environmentally-friendly solution to your water concerns.
• EWS is the alternative to sodium or potassium chloride water softeners
• Actively inhibits scale buid-up in pipes and water heaters without the corrosive damage softeners cause
• Replaces costly and environmentally damaging bottled water
• Safely removes chlorine and chemicals, resulting in healthier water for skin, hair and body systems
• Creates a healther environment for absorption and inhalation in the bath, shower, steam, and sauna
• Does not need routine maintenance
• Natural and biodegradable filtration media

EWS is easy to install and use.
Installation of these systems is as easy as installing a water heater.
Complete information comes with every unit and is available online. Needed is the connection to the main water service line to filter the entire home, a convenient place to drain eco-friendly backwash water (not a brine discharge) and a simple 110 outlet to keep the valve time.

• Use on any home with a 3/4" to 1" plumbing (service) line
• Installs easily at the main water supply line to your home
• Maintains the flow rate and pressure you are used to
• No salt-softened water plumbing "loops" or bypasses needed (these are used to prevent drinking taps, pools, and plants from using salt softened water)
• Drain (backwash) water is safe and can be used for plants and gardening
• No environmentally destructive brine discharge
• Safe for pets, plants, pools, spas and plumbing
• Protects the integrity of your home's appliances, fixtures, accessories, finishes and surfaces
• Valve only consumes the power of a doorbell to maintain time and automatic backwash operation 

Caution:
Physical conditioning can have a limited effectiveness with water hardness up to 500mg/l or 30 grains and greater. Similar to issues with softeners and ion-exchange, conditioning can be adversly effected by abnormal levels of pH, alkalinity, and/or silica. Please consult with your sales associate or EWS, Inc. to establish proper aesthetic expectations, helpful household hints, or a combination of product and your best alternatives.   

Warning:
Well water is required to have independent, complete and proper testing of your well water to determine the proper course of action in order to specify the correct system(s).

Proper application of the EWS-1354.
This unit should be considered based on a 3/4" to 1' main water service line with hard water. Applicable for all homes, all families, greater water usage, up to multiple water heaters, pools, spas, specified correctly for greater filtration bed depth, needed conditioning capabilities on muncipal water or water of known quality based on the flow rate capabilities of a 3/4" to 1" main water line.

Filtration options based on actual water conditions and/or consumer need, concern or preference. Whole home filtration can be combined with specific sink units for drinking (oral intake only) due to specific water problems or conditions, or consumer's needs, concerns and/or preferences at the point of use.

• For most applications and for most people the whole home water filtration systems by EWS, Inc are the perfect compliment to most city tap water or municipally-treated water systems. However a small segment of our population may have health issues and/or water conditions that require an upgrade to the already filtered water strictly for oral intake. The best upgrade and sold in 10% of our applications is the UU250 for removal/safeguard of lead and cysts, bacterial, viral, E-coli, and other microorganisms. For other specific applications, see reverse osmosis systems, if applicable

Prefer a salt softener?
Hardness minerals, naturally found Calcium and Magnesium are not contaminants nor health issues, strictly aesthetic, however; based on water hardness conditions or consumer preference (you or a member of the household may like the slippery feeling in a shower or believe the only relief is found in a softener), then add a softener (this is not a filtration product) to the hot side only, easily accessed at the inlet side to the water heater. This will compliment the EWS Appliance, satisfy different needs and limit the softener and its' usage to hot water only, which limits its salt usage and brine discharge.

EWS, Inc. provides a complete line of filtration product from the sink to the whole home, based on your needs and concerns. Know your source water whether municipally-treated or well water and understand your needs. Do not be sold - Be Informed.

EWS-1354 Technical Information
Tank Size: 13" x 54"
Media Content: 2.5 / 68 cu.ft./lbs.
Line Size: 3/4 in. - 1 in.
Valve Head: DTV
Installed Unit Size: 13" x 63"
Water Flow: 15 GPM
Backwash: 7 GPM

EWS-1354 Filtration (Media) Specifications
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) - Primary Filtration Media
• Large surface area results in an exceptionally high capacity and efficiency. Activated Carbon is very hard so losses due to attrition are kept to a minimum. GAC constitutes an excellent filtration media, having a density with a balanced pore structure for more efficient operation. GAC even with it’s high capacity should be replaced when the filter loses the capacity for removal of taste and odor.

• GAC is the most effective media for the removal of contaminants from water. GAC has the unique ability to adsorb chlorine from water and is the most preferred method for the complete protection from trihalomethanes (THM’s) and has been proven 99% effective.

• However, no one media, resin or cartridge is capable of all things. Please refer to the GAC reference chart for capabilities.

• A high-grade, dedusted GAC with an iodine rating of 1200 is used in all CWL and EWS Series. This is the highest-grade carbon filtration available in the nation.

GAC Physical Properties
Granular Activated Carbon
1354 - 2.5 cubic feet, 1054 - 1.5 cubic feet, 1035 - 1.0 cubic foot
Color: Black
Form: Granular
Mesh Size: 12 x 40
Density: 33lb.s / cu. ft.
Backwash bed Expansion: 30 - 40% of bed depth
Water Soluble Ash: less than 0.5%
Iodine No.: 1200
Abrasion No.: 75 min.
Micron Rating: 20 micron nominal
Meets American Water Works Assn. Standard -B604-74
ANSI/NSF compliance standard 42 - conforms to requirements
Chlorine Reduction: >90% @ 1,000,000 gallons @ 15gpm per cubic foot

Filter Ag
Used to afford maximum removal of suspended matter throughout the filter bed and to allow the GAC media to work at maximum efficiency.
* Acts as a Pre-Sediment (20 micron) media and preserves primary media
* Less pressure loss, increased filter capacity of primary media
* Light weight reduces shipping costs and lower
backwash rates of primary media.

Under Bed Filter Sand
Keeps riser in place and promotes better flow and even water distribution through media bed and during backwash cycles to lift bed uniformally.

ICN Conditioner
The ICN's Field triggers a reaction (increased calcite nucleation) that changes the structure of the minerals as they relate to water molecules. Minerals become suspended and form concentric patterns into free floating disks which make the hardness minerals attach to each other and no longer adhere to hard surfaces.The ICN unit is a series of dissimilar metals which creates the field that triggers this reaction (This is not a magnet). This conditioning (not softening) process is used widely by EWS throughout the US and around the world. A benign and passive reaction that does not put any harmful chemicals into the water.

EWS-1354 Conditions of Operation
System Service Flow Rate - up to 15 gpm
Media Service Flow Rate - 5 gpm / sq. ft.
Min/Max Water Temperature: 40º / 80 ºF - 4.4 / 62.8C
Min/Max Water Pressure: 40 PSI / 65 PSI
Warning: Install Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV), by code in places, to prevent pressure surges and warranty issues

Technical Illustrations
Complete set-up, installation, start-up and schematics available in all service guides included with unit. Graphic representations for illustration purposes only.

RIGHT: Cutaway Illustration.

DTV - Digital Technology Valve: Controls automatic backwash cycles
Warranty: Valve - 3 years

Electrical: 24 volt for DTV operation

Drain: 1/2” to any location

Freeboard: Allows media space to lift during backwash

Filtration: GAC filtration media

Conditioning: Two ICN’s within the riser manifold for greater conditioning capacities.

Tank: Tough epoxy and fiberglass outer laminate, seamless, one-piece blow molded

Warranty: Tank - 10 years

White Plastic Shroud: 1035 cover only, non-functional

Lower Riser Screen and

Under Bed: Water distribution

RIGHT: Digital Technology Valve exclusively designed by EWS to provide years of maintenance free operation.

• Easy time set
• Consumer friendly
• Easier for install/start-ups
• Shorter, yet more efficient backwash cycles

RIGHT: Top/Front View of DTV using dual-port, full flow, noryl bypass with male threaded yoke. 

• Shuts off water to/from the unit
• No additional plumbing for media replacement or maintenance
• Less costly plumbing installation, easier startups, non-corrosive

Caution:
Physical conditioning can have a limited effectiveness with water hardness up to 500mg/l or 30 grains and greater. Similar to issues with softeners and ion-exchange, conditioning can be adversly effected by abnormal levels of pH, alkalinity, and/or silica. Please consult with your sales associate or EWS, Inc. to establish proper aesthetic expectations, helpful household hints, or a combination of product and your best alternatives.   

Warning:
Well water is required to have independent, complete and proper testing of your well water to determine the proper course of action in order to specify the correct system(s).                       

EWS-1354 Filtration Media and ICN Conditioning

Click here to see EWS/CWL whole home media filtration capabilities (PDF).

When to Replace:
As needed, up to 10 years*

Replacement Kit Includes:
GAC media pre-measured for specific model and tank, under bed, funnel, riser cap, double ICN riser manifold and instructions. Completely assembled tanks with replacement kits are also available or required.

Primary Media:
Granular Activated Carbon
1354 - 2.5 cubic feet, 1054 - 1.5 cubic feet, 1035 - 1.0 cubic foot
1665 - 4.0 cubic feet up to 22 cubic feet on 3" valve commercial tanks
Color: Black
Form: Granular
Mesh Size: 12 x 40
Density: 33lb.s / cu. ft.
Backwash bed Expansion: 30 - 40% of bed depth
Water Soluble Ash: less than 0.5%
Iodine No.: 1200
Abrasion No.: 75 min.
Micron Rating: 20 micron nominal
Meets American Water Works Assn. Standard -B604-74
ANSI/NSF compliance standard 42 - conforms to requirements
Chlorine Reduction: >90% @ 1,000,000 gallons @ 15gpm per cubic foot

A high-grade, dedusted GAC with an iodine rating of 1200 is used in all CWL and EWS Series. This is the highest-grade carbon filtration available in the nation.

Secondary:
Filter Ag
ADVANTAGES:
Used to afford maximum removal of suspended matter throughout the filter bed and to allow the GAC media to work at maximum efficiency.
* Acts as a Pre-Sediment (20 micron) media and preserves primary media
* Less pressure loss, increased filter capacity of primary media
* Light weight reduces shipping costs and lower
backwash rates of primary media.

Additional Upgrade as Standard:
Under Bed
Keeps riser in place and allows better
water distribution through filtration and backwash.
Color: - Light grey to near white
Density: 24 - 26 lbs. / cu. ft.
Effective Size - 0.57 mm
Uniformity Coefficient - 1.66

Conditioning:
ICN Conditioning Riser Manifold
EWS-1354 Series - double ICN Riser Manifold for typical and greater conditioning capabilities
EWS-1054/1035 - single ICN Riser Manifold for water of softer hardness conditions  
The ICN's Field triggers a reaction (increased calcite nucleation) that changes the structure of the minerals as they relate to water molecules. Minerals become suspended and form concentric patterns into free floating disks which make the hardness minerals attach to each other and no longer adhere to hard surfaces.The ICN unit is a series of dissimilar metals which creates the field that triggers this reaction (This is not a magnet). This conditioning (not softening) process is used widely around the world. A benign and passive reaction that does not put any harmful chemicals into the water.

The ICN is part of the riser manifold which distributes water through the tank. Once filtered, water is forced through the riser and the ICN(s) to increase the catalytic effect of the conditioners.

*Media replacement based on local water conditions and usage,proper installation and routine maintenance. Typically, we have demonstrated years between replacements.

Warning:
All Pre-1998, EWS-1354 and EWS-1354-HF have smaller tank openings and can not accomodate new post-1998 ICN Riser Manifolds. A complete tank and ICN/GAC media kit has been developed to allow replacement. See the complete tank and replacement kit or contact us for correct specifications and replacements for these units.

To Soften or Not To Soften...That Is The Question.
Although the minerals in drinking water are beneficial to good health, the aesthetic effects caused by hardness are the most common reasons to treat water and attract many bad products, salespeople, information and tactics.

The big push has been the softener or ion exchange. Softening is accomplished with synthetic resin media by exchanging ions of calcium and magnesium that contribute to hardness with ions of sodium. Although this method of softening can produce water with zero hardness, it is important to understand the limitations of the process.

• Homes that use these devices show elevated levels of lead and copper in the plumbing system due to the aggressive nature of the softened water.

• Ion exchange softeners increase the sodium content of the treated water and may be potentially harmful to persons that are on sodium-restricted diets. People should limit or restrict the amount of softened water they consume or use for food preparation.

• Due to the corrosive nature of softened water and the salts used and exchanged for the naturally found calcium and magnesium minerals, the softened water may offer warranty issues or warnings on pools and spas, as well as, many decorative finishes and household product and appliances. Pools and spas must maintain 10-15 grains of hardness in the water along with a balanced pH and alkalinity to stabilize the water

• The disposal of spent brine solution and rinse water from softener regeneration is becoming a major problem and can impact wastewater treatment facilities and septic systems. Softener byproducts are corrosive to material they contact and possess varying toxic levels in relationship with the environment.

A Hard Water Perspective and Its Treatment.
Hard water can be a multi-million dollar problem for individuals and business. Scale formation can increase the cost of equipment maintenance, shorten equipment life, decreased water heater efficiency requires greater usage of soaps and cleaners and can simply waste time and energy.

The hardness of water is determined by the amount of calcium and magnesium in the water. Calcium carbonate molecules solidify instantly when they come in contact with any hard surface and then grow upon themselves in every direction. Because of their tree-like shape they are called dendritic crystals. They constitute the beginning of the formation of lime scale.

It is important to note that the hardness minerals are a component of the total dissolved solids (TDS) in your water. These minerals and the TDS are generally an aesthetic consideration (as evidenced in your water standards) and not a consumption problem. By definition, hard water has these minerals and naturally soft water is low or devoid of this mineral content. Hard water can build up, yet can be maintained or properly treated. However, it is important to note, soft water is aggressive and corrosive. If the water is soft, the water will naturally seek to balance itself by leaching any minerals found in its’ path. This creates problems for a diverse amount of water features such as; copper pipe, finishes, pools and spas, to name a few. Ironically, hard water is considered healthier (note: bottled water adds back minerals and spring water from natural sources all have a mineral content, from low to very high for taste). Hard water has greater properties of assimilation, then that of aggressive soft water. Of all the water on our planet, most is sea water and is undrinkable. Of the limited supply of fresh water available, most is hard to some extent or another.

Softening - The Hard Facts.
Softening has been around since the 1920’s. In the process of softening, calcium and magnesium ions are removed from the water and replaced by sodium ions in a process called ionic exchange. The use of sodium or potassium chloride is used in this process. In this process the minerals have been exchanged for a salt, and in fact the TDS remains the same or in some instances is greater. The results are prevention of lime scale in your water heater or pipes, easier wipe up of water spots and the better use of soaps. Dishwasher results improve, but only if you use your appliance properly.

However, the disadvantages are an aggressive and corrosive water that needs to be bypassed from drinking and from equipment such as the pool or spa, otherwise you may void their warranty. The exchange of the minerals for a salt creates a two-fold problem; one, the water now lacks the minerals making it soft and aggressive, and two, the water has a sodium or potassium chloride content making the water more corrosive. Remember, your TDS has remained the same. Something has replaced your calcium and magnesium minerals!

"Softened" water has a slippery feeling in the shower due to the new make up of the water (it’s the salt, not the natural oils from your skin that the salesman told you!). If a softener is on all your water, you may be asked to put a reverse osmosis at your kitchen sink, so you can remove the salt from the water the softener put in, and have a tap to drink from! Some homes now have soft water loops, because the water from a softener has its consumption and warranty issues. The loop bypasses the softener to provide unsoftened water to your kitchen sink, ice maker and hose bibs. If the water from a softener should be bypassed or filtered, and is not necessarily good to drink, why would you bathe or shower in it? TDS (now with a higher salt content) in water will still require you to maintain swamp and evaporative coolers, humidifiers, steam irons, shower heads, aerators and any items where the water is processed through small pores and restricted flow rates. Due to the corrosive or aggressive nature of softened water you may find a written or implied warranty issue with manufacturers of these and other products.

Please note that softeners do not filter, they soften. The marketing of problems associated with hard water relates more to selling softeners than actual fact. How do people achieve results without treatment? You still have to use your clothes washer and dishwasher properly to get good results. Water heaters should be flushed for longer life. If you soften the water be aware of the corrosion at the bottom of your heater over time. Surfaces can and should be sealed and all detergents are now formulated for low suds (add salt and soaps suds up) - suds do not clean!

The nature of softening product is a trade off of problems, not necessarily a solution. Last issue is the environmental one; water softeners are already illegal or restricted in various areas in the U.S. (more municipalities are making this a consideration) because of the brine discharge of the softener during the regeneration process. Municipal and waste water treatment facilities have an increasing problem with this by-product, which inhibits the ability of delivering the required quality of water to agriculture, the community and your home.

Physical Conditioning - The Informed Alternative.
The ICN conditioner acts as a catalyst in the water. The bonds that trap foreign particles to water molecules are broken and expose those foreign particles to the open solution. The surfaces of these particles become available as nucleation points for the hardness minerals. The hardness minerals cluster together to form microscopic seed crystals around those nucleation points. This process is called increased calcite nucleation (ICN). All the hardness minerals in the vicinity of these seed crystals eventually come in contact with its surface. The hardness minerals solidify there and no longer have an affinity for hard surfaces with which the water comes in contact.

In order to understand this easier, look at a box of laundry detergent. Years ago, detergents asked you to add more soap in hard water and suds were the visual test. Since 1980, low sudsing formulas were an improvement (suds do not clean, are hard to rinse out, and bad for the appliance) and the detergent does not care whether the water is hard or soft. Detergents add "water conditioners" or ionic and/or anionic surfactants that attract the hardness minerals to their surfaces in a process called increased calcite nucleation (ICN). A billion-dollar business using the same physical process, incorporated in the Environmental Water System, to the advantage of the consumer and the environment.

The minerals in your water are naturally found in 95% of all freshwater and under no circumstances are considered contaminants. These hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) are part of the natural balance of water. Low hardness can make water aggressive and corrosive. Adding salts and replacing these minerals becomes foolish and make for warranty and drinking quality issues (due to the sodium or potassium chlorides) and septic and environmental issues (because of the brine discharge). The Environmental Water System - Filtration and Conditioning Appliance does not have any of these issues or limitations.

Environmental Water Systems and Our Approach.
The ICN conditioner is a unique product, exclusive to EWS, Inc. and Environmental Water Systems. Incorporated, as part of the riser manifold within the GAC media, the ICN is a cell containing dissimilar metals that have gone through a specific charging process. The three-dimensional field created by the ICN creates the reaction that it is named after. Environmental Water Systems filters all the water to your home or facility and physically conditions the water preventing the formation of lime scale deposits in your pipes and water heater. Furthermore, physically conditioned water is capable of dissolving formerly deposited scale. This water tends to sheet, allowing for faster drying times. Any water that does evaporate on a surface may leave a spot due to total dissolved solids in the water. However, this is easily wiped away, as opposed to untreated hard water spotting, which adheres to surfaces. In addition, aerators and shower heads may develop a ring that should be easy to wipe off, depending on the faucet, water flow and water conditions. A further benefit of our conditioned water is that it allows for better assimilation of anything added to it. You get better lather in your hand soaps and shampoos, and savings on detergent soaps and cleaners. Even the amount of coffee or tea can be reduced according to taste.

Along with this conditioned effect, which is a benefit to you, your home and the products therein, do not underestimate the value of filtered water throughout your home. Do not lose sight of the fact that the reason for water is for consumption, to the benefit of you and your family. Environmental concerns and the pollution and improper use of water supplies effect us all. With aesthetics being important in our culture, it is a distant second to the consumption quality of our water and the polluting of our water supplies.

Be Informed — Not Sold.
Although nothing is perfect regarding water; you still have to wipe it off the counter, black surfaces will show more, low flow toilets require more work than old ones, small openings will eventually clog, sunlight will bake water on surfaces. We ask to you to use your common sense and be an informed consumer. Both Environmental Water Systems and softeners prevent buildup in your pipes and water heaters. Both allow an easier wipe down of water spots and maintenance of problems associated with hard water. However, Environmental Water Systems conditions and filters all the water to your home, softeners do not. Environmental Water Systems does not use salt or potassium chloride to produce the desired effect and therefore does not require the separate plumbing lines or the maintenance of the softener and other filtration devices at a sink. Environmental Water Systems provide a pleasurable showering experience, where the water feels clean coming on and off; without the slippery feeling the softener provides, yet both systems allow you to wipe down your shower enclosure effectively.

As a manufacturer of a complete line of water treatment product, EWS, Inc. makes Environmental Water Systems and, ironically, the most efficient softeners in the market today. We are just providing you, the consumer, a choice in your treatment options. Be Informed, Not Sold.

 Click here to view or download the most recent version of your product's service manual (PDF).