Water filtration assembly and freeze prevention

A method of operating an under-counter water filtration assembly comprising a filter housing defining an inlet port, a filtered outlet port upstream from an upper dispenser, and an unfiltered outlet port connected to an unfiltered-fluid conduit upstream from a drain line, the drain line being downstream from the upper dispenser and a sink, the under-counter water filtration assembly further comprising a filter element mounted within the filter housing upstream from the filtered outlet port, and a powered, water valve (PV) mounted within the filter housing in fluid communication between the inlet port and the unfiltered outlet port, the method comprising:

• receiving a wireless weather-data signal at a controller mounted to the filter housing;
• holding the PV in an open position to permit water therethrough;
• and
• directing water through the PV to the drain line downstream from the unfiltered outlet port and the sink,
• wherein directing water through the PV comprises bypassing the filter element within the filter housing such that the upper dispenser and the sink are bypassed through the drain line.

An under-counter water filtration assembly comprising:

• a filter housing defining an inlet port, a filtered outlet port upstream from an upper dispenser, and an unfiltered outlet port connected to an unfiltered-fluid conduit upstream from a drain line, the drain line being downstream from the upper dispenser and a sink, the filtered outlet port and the unfiltered outlet port being defined downstream from the inlet port;
• a filter element mounted within the filter housing upstream from the filtered outlet port, the filter element being bypassed by the unfiltered outlet port;
• and
• a normally open, powered, water valve (NOPV) mounted within the filter housing in fluid communication between the inlet port and the unfiltered outlet port to selectively restrict a water flow therethrough such that the filter element is selectively bypassed within the filter housing and the upper dispenser and the sink are selectively bypassed through the drain line.