Kinetico K5® Drinking Water Station with VOC Guard FAQ

What is the Kinetico K5 Drinking Water Station with VOC Guard?

The Kinetico K5® Drinking Water Station with VOC Guard is a non-electric, under-sink reverse osmosis system that delivers treated drinking water to a dedicated faucet at your kitchen sink.

It pairs a reverse osmosis membrane with customizable FlexFilter cartridges and now comes standard with a VOC filter. The K5 is certified by WQA to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for PFOS/PFOA reduction.

How does the K5 with VOC Guard filter water?

The K5 uses seven stages of protection: (1) a five-micron prefilter that captures sediment and reduces chlorine; (2) a reverse osmosis membrane that performs the primary cleaning; (3 and 4) two auxiliary FlexFilter cartridges, including the standard VOC Guard; (5) a storage tank; (6) a MACguard® activated-carbon postfilter that polishes taste and odor; and (7) a lead-free drinking water faucet.

What does the VOC Guard filter reduce?

The VOC Guard reduces volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals associated with gasoline, solvents, cleaners and degreasers, paints, inks and dyes, and pesticides.

The VOC Guard conforms to NSF/ANSI 53 for VOC reduction. The K5 Performance Data Sheet lists the individual contaminants and reduction performance.

Does the K5 reduce PFAS like PFOA and PFOS?

Yes. The K5 is certified by WQA to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for PFOS/PFOA reduction. PFOA and PFOS are two of the PFAS compounds often called "forever chemicals."

Because water quality varies from home to home, a water test from your local Kinetico dealer can confirm what is in your water before your system is configured.

What certifications does the K5 Drinking Water Station have?

The K5 is tested and certified by WQA against NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 58 for the contaminants listed on its Performance Data Sheet. It is also certified against NSF Protocol P231 (microbiological water purifiers),

NSF/ANSI/CAN 372 for lead-free compliance, and CSA B483.1 for drinking water treatment systems. The Perchlorate Guard, Chloramine Guard, and Mineral Plus cartridges are not WQA-certified.

Which FlexFilter cartridges can I add to the K5?

Stages 3 and 4 hold auxiliary FlexFilter cartridges matched to your water: VOC Guard (standard), Arsenic Guard for pentavalent arsenic, Chloramine Guard, Perchlorate Guard, Mineral Plus, which adds minerals such as magnesium and calcium, and Purefecta® Bacteria/Virus Guard.

If your water contains chloramines and the VOC Guard is in the auxiliary #2 position, the Chloramine Guard must go in the auxiliary #1 position.

Does the K5 need electricity?

No. Like other Kinetico equipment, the K5 is non-electric and demand operated. It runs on your home's water pressure, so there is nothing to plug in and no electricity cost to operate it.

The QuickFlo® storage tank also uses household water pressure, rather than a pressurized air charge, to push water to the faucet.

How much drinking water does the K5 produce?

With the 3-gallon QuickFlo tank, the K5 is rated to produce 39.2 gallons (148.39 liters) of treated water per day; with the 3-gallon standard tank, it is rated at 23.9 gallons (90.47 liters) per day.

The system flow rate is 0.5 gallons per minute. QuickFlo delivers a steady stream even when the tank is almost empty, and an oversized storage tank is available for larger families.

How often do I change the K5 filters?

Replace the prefilter and the K5 postfilter once a year or when the system shuts off, whichever comes first. The K5 Filter shuts off automatically after 500 gallons (1,895 liters), so you can't use the cartridges past their capacity.

An average family of four can expect it to last about nine months to one year. The PureMometer® Filter Life Indicator shows how much filter capacity is left.

What is EverClean Rinse?

EverClean® Rinse is a patented feature exclusive to Kinetico. After each shutdown, the K5 automatically rinses the reverse osmosis membrane with clean, processed water, leaves it to soak in that water, and then depressurizes it.

This extends the membrane's life, helps keep performance high, and prevents inorganic contaminants from moving into the treated water while the system is idle.

Can I buy K5 replacement filters on Amazon?

No. Replacement cartridges purchased online from Amazon or other retailers are not approved or certified for use with Kinetico products, may not perform to specifications, and will void your product warranty.

Use genuine Kinetico cartridges from your local authorized Kinetico dealer. Your dealer can also change the cartridges, sanitize the system, and test your water.

Can I change the K5 filters myself?

Yes, but you must depressurize the system before removing any cartridge, and you must sanitize the system with a Kinetico sanitization kit from your dealer.

Don't drink the water during sanitization. Afterward, fill and drain the tank three times before drinking the water. Many owners prefer to have their authorized Kinetico dealer change the filters, sanitize the system, and check their water.

What is the warranty on the K5 with VOC Guard?

When the K5 is installed after a Kinetico water softener, Kinetico's Limited Warranty covers all parts, including the storage tank, faucet, and K5 manifold parts, for 10 years, and the reverse osmosis membrane for 10 years. When it is installed separately, parts are covered for 10 years and the membrane for 4 years.

The system must be sold and installed by an authorized Kinetico dealer, and filter cartridge replacement is not covered.

Does the K5 work with well water?

Yes. Reverse osmosis works with both city and well water, provided the water meets the K5's operating specifications: 50 to 120 psi water pressure, 35 to 100°F, hardness up to 10 grains per gallon, iron up to 0.1 ppm, and pH 3 to 11.

The K5 should be supplied with cold water only and should not be used with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection. A dealer water test confirms the system is a good fit for your water.

What can I use K5 drinking water for besides drinking?

Use K5 water for cooking pasta, washing fruits and vegetables, coffee and tea, and mixing concentrated drinks; you may find you need less coffee or tea for the same taste.

Because it has a reduced mineral content, it also works well in irons and small humidifiers. You can run a line from the K5 to your refrigerator's ice maker for clearer, better-tasting ice.

How do I get a Kinetico K5 Drinking Water Station?

The K5 with VOC Guard is sold, installed, and serviced by independent, authorized Kinetico dealers.

Schedule a free water test, and your local dealer will identify the contaminants in your water and recommend the right FlexFilter configuration for your home.