Countertop reverse osmosis · checked 16 Oct 2026
APEC Water Portable Alkaline Mineral 90 GPD Countertop Reverse…
Model RO-CTOP-PHC · replacement parts CT-1SED, CT-24CAB, MEM-90, FI-PHPLUS-QC
Lead:Brand claim onlyPFAS: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 | “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 |
| PFOA | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA)” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| PFOS | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS)” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| PFAS (no compounds named) | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Total dissolved solids (TDS) | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Arsenic | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Fluoride | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Bacteria | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Viruses | Same statement as for Lead. brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Chlorine | “coconut shell activated carbon filter —gets rid of unpleasant chlorine, odors, cloudiness, & 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 | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ Chloramines” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Nitrate | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ Nitrate” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Chromium-6 | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ Chromium-6” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Cysts (Giardia, Cryptosporidium) | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ Cysts” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Pharmaceuticals | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ Pharmaceuticals” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Iron | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ Iron 2” brand source | – | – | Brand claim — no certification cited | brand pagechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Manganese | “Shown to Reduce the Following: … ✔ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 sediment (CT-1SED) and Stage 2 carbon (CT-24CAB) pre-filtersThe brand gives more than one figure for this part. | 6–8 months or 600–800 gallons“Change every 6-8 months or after 600-800 gal pure water used”6 months“Virtually no maintenance. Just change 2 pre-filters about every 6 months” | 1.5–2 or 2 | brand sourcechecked 16 Oct 2026brand sourcechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Stage 3 RO membrane (MEM-90)The brand gives more than one figure for this part. | 2–3 years“Stage-3 Membrane: City Water: Replace every 2-3 years depending on input water quality, water usage, and pre-filters change maintenance.”2 years“Private Well Water: Replace every 2 years depending on well water quality, and pre-filters change maintenance.” | 1 every 2–3 years or 1 every 2 years | brand sourcechecked 16 Oct 2026brand sourcechecked 16 Oct 2026 |
| Stage 4 alkaline mineral post-filter (FI-PHPLUS-QC) | 6–12 months“Stage-4 Post-Filter: ... For RO-CTOP-PHC System: Replace every 6-12 months.” | 1–2 | 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-CTOP-PHC
- NSF listing search: RO-CTOP
- NSF listing search: APEC
- WQA listing search: RO-CTOP-PHC
- WQA listing search: RO-CTOP
- WQA listing search: APEC
- IAPMO R&T listing directory