Durability

• Durable HWTS devices offer two years of service life for a representative family. Product safety (due to leaks or worn fittings, for example) is not compromised by normal wear over the two-year product life.
• Product appearance (external surfaces, decoration, and transparent components) is not significantly degraded over service life.
• Products and components pass durability and drop tests, as established by conditions within user households.

Key indicators

• Durability test protocol defined.
• Durability test results.
• Drop test results.

Notes and exceptions

• Durability test criteria required for:
• Taps.
• Interconnect fittings.
• Interconnect seals.
• Upper and lower containers (abrasion resistance and impact resistance).
• External surfaces (abrasion resistance, staining, color fade, and UV resistance).
• Flow limiters/diverters, end-of-life indicators.
• Structural features (feet, handles, flanges, tabs, and stops).

Supporting evidence

• Relevant national product quality standards.
• PATH Reference Design Product Test Protocols. PATH. Unpublished data, 2010.
• NSF/ANSI Standard 42-2007: Drinking water treatment units—aesthetic effects.
• NSF/ANSI Standard 53-2007: Drinking water treatment units—health effects.
• Full list of supporting evidence and additional materials.