Under-sink reverse osmosis · checked 16 Oct 2026
APEC Water Ultimate 5-Stage 90 GPD High Output Reverse Osmosis Water…
Model RO-90 · replacement parts FILTER-SET, MEM-90, 5-TCR-QC
Lead:Brand says certifiedPFAS:Brand claim only
Each claim, checked
What the brand says, what a certification listing shows for this model, and where each fact comes from. We read listings; we do not test products.
- Certified (listing checked)The certifier’s public listing shows this claim for this model.
- Brand says certifiedThe brand says certified; IAPMO’s listing does not show it. NSF can be checked by hand.
- Brand claim onlyThe brand claims it without citing a certification.
| Contaminant | Brand claim | Standard | Certifier | Confirmed? | Source, date checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | “an RO-90 system, certified to reduce Arsenic+3, Arsenic+5, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium-3, Chromium-6, Copper, Fluoride, Lead, Radioactivity, Selenium, and Turbidity.” brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| PFOA | “Full List of Reduced Impurities: … ✔ Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| PFOS | “Full List of Reduced Impurities: … ✔ Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS)” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| PFAS (no compounds named) | “Full List of Reduced Impurities: … ✔ Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Arsenic | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Fluoride | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Barium | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Cadmium | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Chromium-3 | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Chromium-6 | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Copper | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Selenium | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Turbidity | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Other | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | WQA (named by brand) | Brand says certified — not found in IAPMO’s listing; check NSF | IAPMO searched · check NSF’s listingchecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Total dissolved solids (TDS) | “Removes up to 99% of total dissolved solids (TDS) and contaminants such as arsenic, lead, fluoride, chromium, radium, bacteria, viruses and much more.” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Bacteria | Same statement as for Total dissolved solids (TDS). brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Viruses | Same statement as for Total dissolved solids (TDS). brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Chlorine | “Premium Extruded Carbon Block - gets rid of unpleasant chlorine, tastes, odors, cloudiness and colors.” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| VOCs (volatile organic chemicals) | “Also removes VOCs and other common chemicals from the water.” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Chloramine | “Full List of Reduced Impurities: … ✔ Chloramines” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Nitrate | “Full List of Reduced Impurities: … ✔ Nitrate” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | “Full List of Reduced Impurities: … ✔ Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Cysts (Giardia, Cryptosporidium) | “Full List of Reduced Impurities: … ✔ Cysts” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Pharmaceuticals | “Full List of Reduced Impurities: … ✔ Pharmaceuticals” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Iron | “Full List of Reduced Impurities: … ✔ Iron 2” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Manganese | “Full List of Reduced Impurities: … ✔ Manganese 2” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
Filter changes, by the brand’s numbers
How often APEC Water says to replace each part. Real filter life depends on how much water you use and what is in it.
| Part | Brand says replace every | Changes a year | Source, date checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stages 1-3 pre-filters (FILTER-SET)The brand gives more than one figure for this part. | 12 months“Stages 1, 2, 3 Pre-Filters: Replace every 12 months.”6–12 months“Important! It is important to change the 3 pre-filters timely, at least every 6-12 months.” | 1 or 1–2 | brand sourcechecked 16 Oct 2026brand sourcechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Stage 4 RO membrane (MEM-90)The brand gives more than one figure for this part. | 3–5 years“Stage-4 Membrane: City Water: Replace every 3-5 years”2–3 years“Private Well Water: Replace every 2-3 years depending on well water quality, and prefilter change maintenance.” | 1 every 3–5 years or 1 every 2–3 years | brand sourcechecked 16 Oct 2026brand sourcechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Stage 5 carbon post-filter (5-TCR-QC) | 3–5 years“Stage-5 Carbon Filter: Replace every 3-5 years” | 1 every 3–5 years | brand sourcechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
Certification listings found
No IAPMO R&T listing matched this model when we searched on 16 Oct 2026.
Check it yourself
NSF’s and WQA’s terms don’t allow automated lookups, so these links open their public listings for this model:
- NSF listing search: RO-90
- NSF listing search: MEM-90
- NSF listing search: APEC
- WQA listing search: RO-90
- WQA listing search: MEM-90
- WQA listing search: APEC
- IAPMO R&T listing directory
What the brand says about certification
- “RO-90 – Ultimate 5-Stage 90 GPD High Output Reverse Osmosis Water Systems for Drinking Water, WQA Certified” source checked 16 Oct 2026
- “WQA Gold Seal Certified System” source checked 16 Oct 2026
- “Your health will never be compromised with an RO-90 system, certified to reduce Arsenic+3, Arsenic+5, Barium, Cadmium, Chromium-3, Chromium-6, Copper, Fluoride, Lead, Radioactivity, Selenium, and Turbidity.” source checked 16 Oct 2026
- “RO-90 is Certified by the Water Quality Association according to NSF/ANSI 58; see performance data sheet for specific claims.” source checked 16 Oct 2026