Thought I'd share a little more of my experience with Sawyer. I've read reviews in the past about their customer service not really being all that stellar, and I kinda share that sentiment.
I emailed them my video (top of this page) and asked if they felt this is the filtering rate I should be having on a relatively new (purchased last fall) filter that has filtered maybe 10 gallons of clear Colorado water, stored for the season, experienced a blockage, soaked in vinegar for multiple days, back-flushed many times, and finally sent into Sawyer for “reconditioning”. We had a handful of back-and-forth emails on suggestions I already knew about (make sure there’s no air in the line, etc.). Finally, the CSR said that the flow rate in that video was “normal”.
Not sure I would put a whole lot of faith in their “1 million gallon guarantee”.
May try and replace the filter, but I haven’t come across any definitive explanation for the problems I’ve had, other than a defective filter (seems unlikely to me). I really don’t think it’s the source water I’m filtering (too clear). I would probably stay away from back-flushing with tap water and rig something up to use distilled water. The challenge would be to get the pressure high enough for an effective back-flush.
This is just one person’s experience
