The unfiltered water enters the system through a diverter valve and tubing attached to the kitchen faucet into the special carbon filter cartridge which also houses a special UV cell lamp. The filter is specifically designed to remove chlorine, lead and other undesirable tastes and odors. In addition it removes cysts such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia lambia. The cleaned water then cascades over the XTREME UV light which immediately comes to full power, destroying the DNA of microorganisms. Leaving this cartridge, the good tasting, clear and clean water flows from the spout into your drinking glass. You will be amazed at how much better food cooked with purified water will taste and how good your coffee, tea, lemonade... will be.