Discard the tap tank water every refill. Press RESET after every filter change. Keep the unit away from sunlight.
- Discard the tap tank water every single refill — no exceptions. The remaining water contains concentrated contaminants rejected by the RO membrane. Refilling on top of it is the most common cause of the maintenance alert and premature pump failure. The warranty explicitly excludes damage caused by skipping this step.
- Press RESET for 5 seconds after every filter installation. Without this, the AquaTru cannot track the new filter’s life and the indicator stays lit.
- Never place in direct sunlight. Sunlight + the trace nutrients in any water source = algae growth in both tanks.
System Specifications
| Models | AT100, AT110, AT120, AT130, AT140 |
| NSF certifications | IAPMO R&T — NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 372, and 401 |
| Daily production | 35 GPD |
| Filtration cycle time | 12–15 minutes normal; Maintenance alert if >30 minutes |
| Water efficiency ratio | 4:1 (4 gal purified per 1 gal waste — patented recirculation) |
| Max hardness | 10 gpg (171 mg/L) — descale proactively above this level |
| Carafe material | Borosilicate glass — no microplastic leaching from RO-pure water |
| Body material | BPA-free, BPS-free Tritan plastic |
| Dimensions | ~13″ H × 14″ D × 7.5″ W |
| Carafe capacity | 2.5 quarts (0.625 gal) |
| Cost per gallon | ~$0.19/gallon (vs $1–$3/gallon for bottled water) |
| Annual filter cost | ~$60/year |
| Support | 1.800.220.6570 • AquaTru.com |
| Warranty | One-year limited + 30-day money-back guarantee |
Independent Lab Test Results
Testing by Brian Campbell, WQA Certified Water Specialist, Water Filter Guru (waterfilterguru.com) using SimpleLab Tap Score methodology on Colorado well water. Published August 2024.
“The AquaTru Carafe is one of the only water filtration systems we have ever tested that uses technology certified for the reduction of 100% of all contaminants the manufacturer claims it can reduce.”— Brian Campbell, WQA CWS, Water Filter Guru
4-Stage Purification Process
| Stage | Filter | Part # | Capacity | Replace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Pre/Carbon Filter (dual stage) | 10AT100SF01 | 300 gal | 6 months |
| 3 | RO Membrane | 10AT100RF01 | 600 gal | 24 months |
| 4 | VOC Carbon Filter (standard) | 10AT100VF01 | 300 gal | 12 months |
| 4 (alt) | VOC Carbon + pH+ Mineral Boost | 10AT100VFA01 | 300 gal | 12 months |
The Tap Tank Discard Rule — The Most Important Operating Habit
The AquaTru Carafe uses a patented recirculation system. Rejected water (brine) from the RO membrane returns to the tap tank during filtration rather than being drained. At the end of each cycle, the remaining water in the tap tank contains all the concentrated contaminants rejected from the entire fill cycle — it is not reusable tap water, it is concentrated waste. Refilling on top of it: (1) causes hard water scale to accumulate on the RO membrane and pump, (2) significantly slows filtration time and triggers the maintenance alert, (3) can permanently damage the pump, and (4) voids the warranty.
Display Indicator Guide
Filter Replacement Procedure
- Remove the tap water tank
- Wait 60 seconds to depressurize
- Lift the filter lock (spring latch) up
- Use the filter removal tool to lever the filter out
- Wet the O-ring on new filter if hard to seat
- Slide new filter into correct channel (keyed)
- Push filter lock down until it snaps
- Hold RESET for 5 seconds — indicator turns off
- Discard first 2 full tanks (4 tanks for Mineral Boost)
Maintenance Alert — Diagnosis in Three Steps
The most common cause. Did waste water get refilled over? White deposits in the tank confirm hard water scale. Descale with AquaTru Descaling Powder (Part# 10AT01CADK06) or 50/50 warm water and white vinegar — soak 1 hour, scrub, rinse thoroughly. Test: fill a clean tank, filter one full cycle, time it. Under 20 minutes = tap tank was the problem.
If tap tank descaling doesn’t restore speed, scale is on the RO membrane or internal surfaces. Use the AquaTru Carafe Descaling Kit (Part# 90AT100DK01) following the kit instructions for the internal descaling process. After completing, filter one tank and time it. If still over 20 minutes, replace the RO membrane (Part# 10AT100RF01).
If no water is moving at all after descaling and RO replacement, a valve malfunction requires service. Contact AquaTru: 1.800.220.6570 or AquaTru.com.
Maintenance Schedule
| When | Task | Part / Product |
|---|---|---|
| Every refill | Discard all remaining tap tank water before adding fresh — no exceptions | None |
| Weekly | Wash both tap tank and glass carafe with dish soap and warm water. Rinse thoroughly. Hand wash only — no dishwasher for any part. | Dish soap |
| Weekly | Keep unit away from sunlight and heat sources. Clean exterior with damp cloth. | Damp cloth |
| Every 6 months | Replace Pre/Carbon Filter (1–2). Press RESET 5 sec. Discard first 2 tanks. | 10AT100SF01 |
| Every 12 months | Replace VOC Carbon Filter (4). Press RESET 5 sec. Discard first 2 tanks (4 if Mineral Boost). | 10AT100VF01 |
| Every 24 months | Replace RO Membrane (3). Press RESET 5 sec. Discard first 2 tanks. Test with nitrate strip. | 10AT100RF01 |
| Every 6 months | Nitrate/Nitrite test on purified water. Free strips at aquatruwater.com/nitratetesting | Free test strips |
| As needed | Descale tap tank if white mineral deposits appear | 10AT01CADK06 |
| If Maintenance alert | Full internal descaling | 90AT100DK01 |
| Before vacation (>1 week) | Unplug, empty and wash both tanks, air dry. On return: run 4 full tanks and discard before drinking. | None |
Troubleshooting Reference
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Unit won’t power on | Power adapter not connected; carafe lid in wrong orientation | Check power connections. The magnetic float sensor in the lid must be correctly oriented — if the lid is backward, the unit cannot detect the carafe and will not start. |
| Won’t start even though carafe is empty | Tap tank empty; tanks not seated; float stuck; waste water not discarded | Fill tap tank. Firmly press down on both tank and carafe to reseat. Check floats move freely in holders. Discard tap tank water and refill fresh. |
| Tap tank leaking | Tank not seated; valve not closing; mineral scale on valve | Remove and firmly press down to reseat. Test valve spring pins over a sink. Descale valves with 50/50 vinegar solution 30 minutes, then wash with soap and water. |
| Filtration slower than normal | RO filter aging; internal scale; high TDS from not discarding waste water | If >30 min per tank, initiate the 3-step maintenance alert procedure above. Replace RO membrane (Part# 10AT100RF01) if descaling doesn’t help. |
| Bad taste / odor | New filters not flushed; filters past service life; dirty tanks | Run 4 tanks after any filter install; check filter status; wash both tanks weekly with soap and water. |
| White cloudiness in tap tank | Micro air bubbles from RO filter — completely normal | Harmless. Disappears as bubbles dissipate. Not a sign of contamination. |
| White scale deposits in tap tank | Hard water mineral accumulation | Descale with AquaTru Descaling Powder (Part# 10AT01CADK06) or 50/50 warm water and white vinegar; soak 1 hour, scrub, rinse thoroughly. |
| Higher TDS than before | New VOC Carbon filter (normal for 4 tanks); or RO membrane aging | Run 4 flush tanks after filter install. If TDS reduction is below 80% after flushing, replace RO membrane (Part# 10AT100RF01). |
| Water leaking from unit itself | Filter installed incorrectly; O-ring not seated | Reinstall all filters. Wet O-ring before insertion. Ensure filter lock snaps fully. If a filter won’t lock: contact AquaTru.com — it may be defective. |
| Filter light won’t turn off | RESET not pressed after replacement | Replace indicated filter. Hold RESET button for 5 full seconds until the light turns off. |
AquaTru Carafe vs. AquaTru Classic
Both models use identical filter technology and hold the same IAPMO R&T NSF/ANSI certifications. The purified water quality is the same. The choice is about form factor, storage material, and budget.
- Borosilicate glass carafe — zero microplastic leaching
- Compact: 7.5″ wide • 2.5 qt capacity
- Carafe goes in fridge • pour directly
- ~$0.19/gallon filter cost
- Best for: singles, couples, renters, RVs
- BPA-free plastic tank with push-button dispenser
- Larger: 0.75 gal capacity • built-in dispenser
- Smart/Wi-Fi model available
- ~$0.11/gallon filter cost (longer life)
- Best for: families, higher volume needs
Both models hold the same IAPMO R&T certifications (NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 58, 372, 401) and use the same filter technology. Purified water quality is identical. The decision is glass vs. plastic storage and capacity.
Who the Carafe Is and Isn’t For
Singles or couples with moderate water consumption. Renters and apartment dwellers. Anyone who prioritizes glass storage (RO water’s very low mineral content makes it more chemically aggressive — glass eliminates any plastic leaching concern). Compact kitchen. Counter aesthetics matter. Budget-conscious upfront.
Families of 3 or more. Higher daily volume needs. Users who want the built-in push-button dispenser. Anyone interested in the Smart/Wi-Fi model. Per-gallon filter cost is lower ($0.11 vs $0.19) due to longer filter lifespans on the Classic. See our AquaTru Classic review →