Davey AquaShield Whole House Water Filter + UV - 3 Stage, 56.8 LPM, Stainless Steel NZ

The AquaShield 3-stage whole house water filtration system combines two sediment filtration stages with UV disinfection to provide reliable treatment for your home's water supply. It delivers up to 56.8 LPM at a 30 mJ/cm² UV dose and features a polished 316L stainless steel chamber, 14-month UV lamp life and a wide 90–265V voltage input.

Suitable for mains, rainwater and bore water, subject to water quality. Four models are available, with a choice of standard or outdoor cover configurations and LED or LCD smart controllers.

WaterMark certified: ASNZS 3497, Lic. 23355/1
Chamber warranty: 10 years

How It Works

Stage 1: 20 Micron Poly Pleated Cartridge

The first filtration stage removes larger particles, sediment and debris from the incoming water supply.

Stage 2: 1 Micron Polyspun Cartridge

The second stage removes finer particles and prepares the water for the UV disinfection stage.

Stage 3: UV Disinfection

A 45W UV lamp operates inside a polished 316L stainless steel chamber and delivers a minimum UV dose of 30 mJ/cm² at 95% UVT and 56.8 LPM. This meets the minimum recommended industry standard for drinking water treatment.

Important: UV treatment cannot remove metals, chemicals or algal toxins from contaminated water. Additional pre-treatment may be required where these contaminants are present.

Choose Your Model

All four AquaShield models use the same UV system and two-stage filtration. The main differences are the controller type and whether an outdoor-rated wall mount cover is included.

Model	Controller	Display	Wall Mount Cover
AQS-S	Smart, lamp life countdown, alarm and service codes	LED	No
AQS-XS	Xtra smart, with lamp key verification and optional upgrade modules	LCD	No
KAQS-S	Smart, lamp life countdown, alarm and service codes	LED	Yes, powder-coated and outdoor-rated
KAQS-XS	Xtra smart, with lamp key verification and optional upgrade modules	LCD	Yes, powder-coated and outdoor-rated

Both controllers use a countdown timer to track the UV lamp's service life. When the lamp reaches the end of its rated life, the controller sounds an alarm. Water flow is not automatically shut off, so the lamp should be replaced promptly to maintain effective UV treatment.

Why Choose the AquaShield?

• 14-month UV lamp life: Less frequent lamp replacement and servicing.
• Tool-free lamp change: Bayonet connector allows the lamp to be replaced without tools.
• Filter housing drain plug: Drain water before changing cartridges for a cleaner and easier filter replacement.
• Single manifold filter housing cap: One-piece construction with fewer joins helps reduce the risk of leaks.
• Compact horizontal UV chamber: The smaller footprint is suited to installations where space is limited.
• Flexible connection orientation: Inlet and outlet connections can be configured from the left or right side.
• Wide voltage input: 90–265V input provides greater tolerance for voltage fluctuations.
• WaterMark certified: ASNZS 3497, Lic. 23355/1.
• 10-year chamber warranty: Long-term coverage for the polished 316L stainless steel chamber.

Key Specifications at a Glance

• Flow rate: 56.8 LPM at a 30 mJ/cm² UV dose and 95% UVT
• UV lamp: 45W
• UV lamp life: 10,000 hours / 14 months
• Chamber: Polished 316L stainless steel
• Maximum pressure: 827 kPa / 120 PSI
• Water temperature: 0–40°C
• Power supply: 90–265V
• Total power: 57W
• Connections: 1" BSP to NPT adaptors supplied
• Dimensions: 728 × 861 × 351mm
• Lamp removal clearance: Allow at least double the unit length in the removal direction
• Certification: WaterMark ASNZS 3497, Lic. 23355/1

Full Technical Specifications

Specification	Detail
Flow rate, 30 mJ/cm² @ 95% UVT (recommended)	56.8 LPM
Flow rate, 40 mJ/cm² @ 95% UVT	45.4 LPM
Flow rate, 24.2 mJ/cm² @ 95% UVT	70 LPM
Flow rate, 16 mJ/cm² @ 95% UVT	114 LPM
UV lamp	45W
UV lamp life	10,000 hours / 14 months
Maximum system pressure	827 kPa / 120 PSI
Water temperature	0–40°C
Maximum ambient temperature	50°C
Supply voltage	90–265V
Supply frequency	50–60Hz
Total power	57W
Chamber material	Polished 316L stainless steel
Chamber connections	1" male NPT outlet
Filter housing connections	1" female NPT inlet/outlet
Adaptors supplied	BSP to NPT
Dimensions (W × H × D)	728 × 861 × 351mm
Certification	WaterMark ASNZS 3497, Lic. 23355/1

Water Quality Requirements

The AquaShield is designed for water that meets the following quality parameters. If incoming water exceeds these limits, additional pre-treatment may be required.

Parameter	Maximum
Hardness	120 mg/L
Iron (Fe)	0.3 ppm
Manganese (Mn)	0.5 ppm
Turbidity	1 NTU
Tannins (organics)	0.1 ppm
UV transmittance (UVT)	>85%

If water hardness is at or near 120 mg/L, clean the quartz sleeve periodically to maintain effective UV penetration. If UVT is below 80%, contact us before installation, as additional pre-treatment may be required.

Service Intervals

Component	Recommended Interval
UV lamp	Every 14 months
UV quartz sleeve	Every 14 months
Filter cartridges	Every 6–12 months

What's in the Box?

Model	Includes
AQS-S	UV system, 20 micron poly pleated cartridge, 1 micron polyspun cartridge and smart controller
KAQS-S	UV system, 20 micron poly pleated cartridge, 1 micron polyspun cartridge, smart controller and wall mount cover
AQS-XS	UV system, 20 micron poly pleated cartridge, 1 micron polyspun cartridge and Xtra smart controller
KAQS-XS	UV system, 20 micron poly pleated cartridge, 1 micron polyspun cartridge, Xtra smart controller and wall mount cover

Warranty

• 10 years: Stainless steel chamber
• 3 years: Electronic controller
• 12 months: UV lamps and UV sensors
• 12 months: Filter housings

FAQs

Which model is right for my home?

All four models use the same UV system and filter stages. The AQS-S is suitable for most homes and features an LED controller for straightforward, reliable operation. The AQS-XS adds an LCD display, lamp key verification and the option to add remote monitoring or a solenoid shut-off valve later. Choose a KAQS model if you are installing the system outdoors and want built-in weather protection.

Do I need a plumber to install it?

For most customers, a licensed plumber is the safest option and can help ensure the plumbing installation is completed correctly. The AquaShield arrives fully assembled, uses standard 1" fittings with BSP to NPT adaptors supplied, and plugs into a standard power outlet. If you are confident with household plumbing, the installation itself is manageable.

How often do I replace the cartridges and UV lamp?

Replace the UV lamp and quartz sleeve every 14 months. Replace the filter cartridges every 6–12 months depending on your water quality and usage. The controller countdown shows the remaining lamp service life.

What happens when the lamp countdown reaches zero?

The controller sounds an alarm when the lamp reaches the end of its rated service life. Water flow is not automatically shut off. Replace the lamp as soon as you are alerted because running the system beyond the lamp's service life means the water is no longer receiving the intended UV treatment.

Is the AquaShield suitable for rainwater or bore water?

Yes, subject to water quality. The system can be used with mains, rainwater, bore or surface water, provided the incoming water meets the specified quality limits. Bore water quality can vary significantly, so we recommend testing bore water before installation.

Do I need bypass valves?

Bypass valves are not included and are not stocked with the system, but we strongly recommend having your plumber install them on either side of the unit. They allow the system to be isolated during servicing without cutting off the water supply to the rest of the property.

What are the water quality requirements?

For reliable UV performance, water should have hardness at or below 120 mg/L, iron below 0.3 ppm, manganese below 0.5 ppm, turbidity below 1 NTU, tannins below 0.1 ppm and UV transmittance above 85%. If your water exceeds these levels, additional pre-treatment may be required.

Can I install it outdoors?

Yes. The standard AQS-S and AQS-XS models are designed for wall mounting and can suit sheltered outdoor locations. The KAQS-S and KAQS-XS models include a powder-coated, outdoor-rated wall mount cover to provide additional protection from rain and direct weather exposure.

What warranty comes with the AquaShield?

The AquaShield includes a 10-year warranty on the stainless steel chamber, a 3-year warranty on the electronic controller and 12 months of warranty coverage for the UV lamps, UV sensors and filter housings.

What can't the AquaShield treat?

The AquaShield uses UV disinfection to treat water against micro-organisms, but UV treatment cannot remove metals, chemicals or algal toxins. Where these contaminants are present, additional water treatment and pre-treatment may be required.

Does the wide voltage input support generator or solar inverter power?

The 90–265V input range provides greater tolerance for voltage fluctuations than a fixed-voltage system, making it more suitable for generator backup or off-grid applications. The power supply still needs to provide a sufficiently stable output to operate the lamp and controller. Before relying on generator or inverter power, check that its output remains within the AquaShield's voltage and frequency specifications.

Can the AquaShield be mounted with the inlet or outlet facing either direction?

The horizontal chamber design allows the inlet and outlet connections to be configured from either the left or right side, providing flexibility where installation space is limited. The standard configuration is a horizontal-mount unit; vertical chamber orientation is not part of the standard configuration.

What does the water quality limit of UVT above 85% actually affect?

UV transmittance (UVT) measures how much UV light can pass through the water. Water with lower UVT absorbs or scatters more UV light before it reaches micro-organisms. Below 85% UVT, the rated 56.8 LPM flow may no longer receive the specified 30 mJ/cm² UV dose. In that situation, the flow rate may need to be reduced or additional pre-treatment may be required to improve UV transmittance.

What pre-treatment pairs with this system if iron or manganese exceed the listed limits?

The AquaShield's two filtration stages remove particulate sediment down to 1 micron but are not designed to remove dissolved iron or manganese. If iron exceeds 0.3 ppm or manganese exceeds 0.5 ppm, an appropriate upstream treatment stage, such as an oxidation or ion exchange system, may be required before water reaches the AquaShield. Contact us with your water test results and we can help identify a suitable pre-treatment approach.