Frequently Asked Questions
The main questions about choosing and ordering your system.
Choosing your system
Which system do I need?
Start with our system selector. Answer three quick questions about your water source, what you'll use it for and how much water you need.
You'll see suitable systems and prices to compare, with no email required.
Can I use it for drinking and cooking?
For canal, river and collected rainwater setups, we recommend FinalStage RO after suitable pre-filtration for drinking, cooking and food preparation. Use the RO tap for your kettle, pasta, rice and soup, as well as a glass of water.
The right treatment depends on your source and installation. Test your treated water to check that it's suitable for drinking and cooking, and keep up with filter changes and tank hygiene. See our water testing results.
Can't I just boil the water for cooking?
Boiling kills germs, but it does not remove heavy metals or nitrates. As water evaporates, these can become more concentrated. Water for cooking needs to be safe to drink before it goes into the pan.
Reverse osmosis can reduce dissolved contaminants, including nitrates and metals such as lead, which boiling leaves behind. That's why we recommend FinalStage RO for cooking as well as drinking. The reduction achieved depends on the contaminant, membrane, water conditions and maintenance.
What UV dose do your systems use?
Our current UV-C modules have a supplier-reported UV dose of 50.8 mJ/cm², based on disinfection testing. UV performance depends on flow rate and water clarity, so use UV-C with suitable pre-filtration.
Why do your systems cost less than some alternatives?
We sell direct and keep our overheads low. Installation is optional, so you only pay for it if you need it.
Stage One, Stage Two and Rain use standard cartridge formats, giving you a choice of replacement suppliers. We put the money into the equipment and keep the price fair.
Backup water and resilience
Can rainwater provide a backup water supply?
Yes. With suitable storage, treatment, power and plumbing, collected rainwater can provide a separate supply during a mains interruption. Rain supplies washing and showering; add FinalStage RO for drinking and cooking. Prepare the setup in advance and keep tanks and filters maintained.
Does Rain work during a power cut?
Rain needs electricity for its pump and UV-C. Its supplied 12V DC option can be used with a suitable, correctly sized battery supply. A battery and charging equipment are separate. If you use FinalStage RO, it also needs power through its supplied connection equipment. Runtime depends on battery capacity and water use.
What water storage do I need for a backup supply?
Use a tank or IBC suitable for water storage, with a known history and a well-maintained collection system. Choose usable storage volume around your planned daily use and how long you want the reserve to last. Rain treats water you have collected; a storage tank and collection equipment are not included.
Can I keep my mains water connection?
Yes. A backup rainwater setup can serve separate outlets while you retain mains water. If you want it connected to household plumbing, have an installer design suitable separation between the supplies. Rain is not an automatic mains changeover system.
Installation and upkeep
Can I install it myself?
You don't need to install Stage One. It's portable and can be used to fill your tank without being permanently plumbed in. If you're fitting Stage Two, FinalStage RO or a permanent setup, follow the instructions for those components.
If you'd like someone to fit your system, allow around £150–£400, depending on the system ordered and the work involved. More complex plumbing, travel to your boat and time spent on custom fittings or alterations can push the price towards the upper end. Installers set their own rates, so ask for a quote before booking.
How often do I change the filters, and what does that cost?
Stage One: As a rough guide, expect to change one cartridge every 1,500–2,000 litres, depending on your water source and use. You don't need to replace all six at once. Different cartridges last different lengths of time; follow the guidance for each one.
It depends on how much water you use and how dirty it is. As a rough guide, annual consumables have typically cost £60–£220 for canal setups and £40–£80 for rainwater. Heavy use or dirtier water can cost more.
Follow the replacement guidance for your system and change filters sooner if needed. We sell replacement filters and parts, and can help you choose the right ones.
Ordering and support
Where do you deliver, and are shipping and taxes included?
UK standard shipping is free and UK prices include VAT. EU, Norway and Switzerland orders have paid shipping and exclude UK VAT. Import VAT, duty and carrier clearance fees may be payable by the recipient before delivery.
EU shipping is £75 for StageOne V3.1, £120 for the StageOne + StageTwo Bundle, and £190 for the StageOne Drinking Water or Complete Bundle. For Norway and Switzerland, StageOne shipping is £95 and the same bundle rates apply. Argonide NanoCeram cartridges and FinalStage RO replacement filter sets share one small-parcel charge per order: £15 to the EU or £20 to Norway/Switzerland. This filter charge is waived when the basket subtotal reaches £150 (GBP equivalent), before shipping. Other products keep their applicable shipping rates. Other eligible products use the £95 rate. Orders containing different systems or other accessories may incur separate shipping charges; checkout shows the final shipping amount in your checkout currency.
Rain V2.0 and the Rain Drinking Water Bundle are temporarily unavailable for EU and US delivery. UK orders remain open. US ordering and other overseas destinations are currently paused.
When will my system arrive?
Each product page shows its current delivery or pre-order estimate. Where a date refers to arrival or dispatch, allow delivery time on top.
If you need your system by a particular date, or your delivery location changes after ordering, get in touch and we'll help you plan.
What support and warranty are included?
Systems have a two-year parts warranty; pumps have a one-year warranty. If something goes wrong, get in touch. We supply covered replacement parts and help you fit them. Callouts aren't included. Your statutory rights are unaffected.
Can I cancel or return my order?
If you need to cancel or return an order, contact us with your order number and we'll explain the next steps.
Our terms set out the cancellation periods, return conditions and any exceptions for genuinely personalised or custom-made products.
Something else? Use our contact form.