Introduction 

Collecting rainwater has a lot of great benefits but there are some potential dangers with storing and consuming rainwater: 
Mosquitoes breeding in the water
Bird and animal droppings being washed into the tank
Rotting leaves staining and polluting the water
Sediment build up that can damage pumps, reticulation and appliances
Algae and Water Staining 
Most of these problems occur when the pollution on the roof is washed into your tank when it first starts to rain. This initial flow of water washes all the dust, leaves and other pollution off the roof and into your tank. 
We all know that prevention is better than cure, so it makes sense to stop pollution entering the tank, rather than trying to treat it after it has been polluted. Once a tank is polluted it can be difficult to overcome a problem. It often requires harsh chemicals, vacuuming or draining the tank completely. 
There are several stages to effectively prevent pollution entering the rainwater tank 
Leaf Screen: Large debris like leaves, moss, sticks and flowers need to be removed
First- Flush: The fine pollution that is very small or dissolved in the water needs to be discarded. Most of this fine pollution is washed off the roof when it first starts to rain. For this reason it is called first- flush or foul- flush
Insect Screen: Ongoing filtration and protection is needed to stop additional particles entering the tank after the first- flush and stop insects entering the tank when it has stopped raining 
AC Water all- in- one - Rainwater Filter (A1 Filter)
The A1 Filter combines these critical filtration functions into a very simple and economic device. The A1 Filter will automatically filter the rainwater before it enters your tank and keep your rainwater tank clean and safe.
Features of the A1 Filter 
Adjustable First Flush: The amount of water you want to first flush will depend on the size of your roof, how polluted it is, how often it rains and what time of year it is. If it just rained yesterday then you dont need to do another full flush. If it has not rained for many months then you will want to increase the amount of water you first- flush. Only the A1 Filter has an adjustable first flush volume so you can easily increase or decrease the amount of water you discard with your first flush. 
Easy To Install: The A1 Filter combines all the important function into one unit so it can be installed by anyone in less than 30 minutes. It can be fitted to existing tanks, or installed on new systems. 
Low Maintenance: The A1 Filter will automatically clean leaves and debris from the leaf screen. The only maintenance required is to clean the filter screen and empty any build- up in the flush pipe occasionally. This will depend on how much debris and pollution your roof gets but most people do this once a year. 
Looks Great: The compact size and sleek design looks great compared to some other devices which are large and bulky. The solid PVC construction can be painted to any colour, unlike other devices which are made from polyethylene and cannot be painted.
Economical: You save R100s by using an all in one system 
Suitable for All Systems- Large and Small: One unit will handle around 120L per minute which is fine for most small Rural & Urban systems or you can install additional A1 Filters on each downpipe for larger systems. 
The A1 Filter combines 4 important filtration functions into one simple device to automatically filter the rainwater entering your water tank. These functions are: 
Rain Head to channel water from downpipes into the rainwater tank.
First- Flush Diverter to automatically flush the first dirty rain water off your roof into the diverter.
Leaf screen to prevent leaves blocking pipes and entering the tank.
Insect Screen to prevent insects entering the tank. 
What is a First- Flush Filter? 
When collecting rainwater it is very important to keep the water clean and safe. Over time leaves, dirt, animal droppings, salt and other pollution builds up on your roof and gutters. Without a first- flush system this will be washed off the roof and directly into your rainwater tanks causing the water to become dirty and possibly dangerous. Sediment and pollution in the rainwater tank can also lead to: 
Damage to pumps, washing machines and other appliances.
Blocked sprinklers and showers
Excessive wear and shortened life on tap washers and filter cartridges
Bacteria and algae growth in your rainwater tank 
The A1 Filter First- Flush Diverter is installed anywhere before the inlet of the water tank and will automatically
divert the first polluted water from the roof when it rains. After the first flush is performed it automatically diverts the clean water into your rainwater tank. 
It is best to have one A1 Filter first flush diverter on each downpipe however a single unit can be placed close to the tank and perform a first flush for several downpipes. This will really depend on how big your roof catchment is and how clean you need the water to be. The amount of water you need to first flush will depend on a few things like: 
The size of your roof- The recommended MINIMUM first flush is 20L per 100m of roof catchment area 
The amount of leaves and pollution on the roof (polluted areas need to be flushed more- approx. 80- 100L per 100m of roof) 
The intended use of the water (drinking water will need a bigger first flush) 
You Should Always Check The Quality Of The Water In Your Tanks Before Drinking It.


The amount of water flushed is determined by the length of the PVC pipe attached to the A1 Filter. 100mm PVC stores  approximately 7.5 liters/ meter. If you need to flush more water you can install additional A1 Filter to your downpipes. You can also increase the volume of the first flush pipe by increasing the length and/ or diameter of the first flush pipe you use. 
The A1 Filter First- Flush has a rotating outlet so it can be mounted to a wall, or directly the side of some tanks. 
The A1 Filter also has an adjustable drain on the flush pipe so you can maximize the amount of water you collect. During periods of frequent rain it isnt necessary to flush the full amount every time. The drain of the A1 Filter can be tightened to reduce the rate it drains and increase the amount of water diverted to the tank. 
The A1 Filter combines 4 products into 1 device to provide maximum effectiveness and value for money. Here are the 4 parts  
1. Rain Head  
A rain- head is an important part of rainwater collection. It provides a break in the downpipes so that any leaves that enter the downpipes can be cleared quickly. If blockages occur then your downpipes and gutters will overflow which can often cause major damage to your property. 
2. Leaf Screen 
The first stage filter is the large leaf screen. Leaves and other debris are prevented from entering the tank by an 8mm screen. The specially designed mesh allows the leaves to fall off while minimizing splashing. 
3. Adjustable First- Flush Diverter System 
The first rain is diverted to a standard 90mm downpipe (not included) so that dirt and other pollutants from the roof dont enter the water tank. Once the First Flush System has filled the internal flap will close and divert clean water through the side outlet and into the tank. 
A drain on the bottom of the First Flush System can be adjusted to alter the flush volume. In dry periods the drain can be loosened to INCREASE the flush volume. During periods of frequent rain it is not necessary to completely flush the whole system each time so the drain can be tightened to DECREASE the first flush volume and maximize the amount of water collected. 
The Drainage Plug is also compatible with standard PVC fittings so the flush water can be directed to the garden or other location. The drainage plug is simply replaced with a screw fitting and a standard valve, or drip fitting 
4. Insect Screen 
The final filtration is done with 1mm stainless steel mesh that will stop any insects or floating debris that may enter the tank.


The A1 Filter comes pre-assembled with the outlet configured to the side. If another location is required simply unscrew the stainless steel screws and rotate to the required position. 
Install the insect screen so that the end of the cone shape is facing INTO the inside of the A1 Filter. This will enable it to self- clean by lying in the flow of water entering the device. 
All connections are to 110mm Pipe. If connecting the flush pipe to reticulation you will need the following parts:
 
micro threaded joiner
adjustable dripper
micro irrigation tubing 
Installation Instructions 
1. Select a location to install the A1 Filter somewhere between the downpipe(s) and water tank inlet. It can be mounted to the wall or directly to the side of some tanks. The rear outlet of the A1 Filter should be above the maximum water level of the water tank and there needs to be clear room under the A1 Filter for the first- flush pipe. The unit will also drip for several days after rain so it should be positioned over a drain/ garden or pot plant, or connected to reticulation fittings
2. If required, rotate the side outlet so that the side outlet face the rainwater tank and secure using the small screws provided.
3. Cut a length of 110mm pipe (larger pipe and adapter can be used if preferred) so that it is approximately 100mm shorter than the distance between the bottom outlet and the ground. Use pipe cement or silicone to glue the pipe in to the bottom of the A1 Filter and secure with the small screws provided
4. Insert the ball into the pipe so it can roll freely
5. Use pipe cement or silicone to glue the base cap on and secure with the small screws provided
6. If you intend to paint the unit, now is a good time so you can reach all the hard places
7. Position the unit in the correct location. Mark and drill the 2 holes at the top of the A1 Filter to secure the unit to the wall or tank. Insert the wall plugs (if required) and fasten the A1 Filter to the wall with the large screws provided
8. Measure, cut and connect the pipe from the A1 Filter outlet to the tank inlet. Use the adapter if required
9. Secure all pipes using pipe brackets
10. Adjust the drainage plug on the first flush pipe so that it drips at around 1- 2 drips per second, or if connecting to reticulation fittings, attach the pipe and valve now 
Maintenance 
The A1 Filter requires very little maintenance as the leaf and insect screens are self- cleaning, however it is important to check it occasionally to ensure it is operating properly. Over time the flush pipe can become filled with dirt and obstruct the drain. If it does become blocked, simply unscrew the drainage plug and allow any dirt to be flushed out before replacing the plug.
 
If you have a lot of fine, floating debris then it may reduce the flow or even block water passing through the insect screen. If you have a secondary filter such as a basket on top of the rainwater tanks then the insect screen can be safely removed. 
If you need to clean the insect screen, simply remove the leaf screen by unscrewing the small screw holding it down. Remove the insect screen and clean any obstructions. Replace the insect screen with the point facing into the A1 Filter so it can self- clean, and replace the leaf screen 
Specifications
 
Made from PVC and stainless steel.


A1 Filter Dimensions 
Cost = R998.00 including VAT