Multiple baarier filter apparatus

A filter apparatus for removing contaminants from water containing microbial contaminants comprising:

• a cross flow membrane filter for removing a significant amount of relatively large contaminants from the water;
• a viral membrane filter disposed within a first sealed outer housing and in fluid communication with cross flow membrane filter;
• the viral membrane filter adapted to remove viral contaminants;
• a bacterial membrane filter in fluid communication with the viral membrane filter, the bacterial membrane filter adapted to remove bacterial contaminants.

A filter cartridge, comprising:

• a) a housing defining first and second isolated regions within said housing;
• b) said first region including a flow path extending between a first inlet port and a first outlet port;
• c) said second region including a flow path extending between a second inlet port and a second outlet port;
• and,
• d) said ports arranged in a substantially linear, side by side relationship and adapted to establish fluid connections between the filter cartridge and a manifold forming part of a water treatment system when said filter cartridge is installed in an operative position.

Structure for establishing fluid communication between a fluid manifold forming part of a water treatment system and a filter assembly, comprising:

• a) a port housing defining four upstanding ports arranged in a side-by-side, substantially linear relationship;
• b) a first port defining an inlet for communicating water to be treated to a first region forming part of the filter assembly and a second port defining an outlet for receiving treated water from said first region;
• and,
• c) a third port defining an inlet for communicating water to be treated to a second region forming part of the filter assembly and a fourth port defining an outlet for receiving treated water from said second region.

A water dispensing faucet for a water treatment system, comprising:

• a) a flow control valve controlling the dispensing of water by the faucet;
• b) a water conduit extending from the flow control valve defining at least partially a flow path extending from said handle to a water dispensing tip;
• and,
• c) a check valve positioned along said flow path and arranged to permit water flow from said flow control valve to said dispensing tip, but inhibiting reverse flow.

A water treatment system comprising:

• a) a first filter element including a virus filter;
• b) a storage tank in fluid communication with an output of said viral filter for receiving treated water from said viral filter;
• c) a second filter in fluid communication with said tank and operative to treat water discharged by said tank;
• and,
• d) a water dispenser in fluid communication with said second filter and operative to dispense water from said water treatment.

A water treatment system comprising:

• a) a reverse osmosis filter;
• b) a manifold for delivering water to be treated to said reverse osmosis filter;
• c) a replaceable multi barrier filter including a first filter element and a second filter element;
• d) a storage tank for accumulating at least partially treated water;
• e) a dispenser for dispensing treated water from said water treatment system;
• f) said first filter element having an input in fluid communication with said reverse osmosis filter and an output in fluid communication with said storage tank;
• and,
• g) said second filter element in fluid communication with said storage tank and an outlet in fluid communication with said water dispenser.