Is system flushing necessary before and after first time installation and/or routine filter cartridge replacement?

YES, all cartridges and all filtration components (such as: cartridges, RO and capillary membranes) must be water flushed according to the information provided on the packaging or inside User's Manual for a given product. 

Sediment cartridges - after installing cartridges entire system needs to be water flushed for not less than 5 minutes. DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER. 

Carbon cartridges - before installation, soak carbon cartridge(s) in cold water for 8 hours. After installation, the filter or filter system need to water flushed.  For this purpose open filter faucet for about 5 minutes and let water flow in a kitchen sink. DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER. 

Specialty cartridges - before installation, soak specialty cartridge(s) in cold water for 8 hours. After installation, the filter or filter system need to water flushed.  For this purpose open filter faucet for about 5 minutes and let water flow in a kitchen sink. DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER.

In-line cartridges - after installing cartridges entire system needs to be water flushed for not less than 15 minutes. DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER

Capillary membranes -after installing membrane needs to be water flushed for not less than 5 minutes. DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER

Reverse Osmosis membranes - after installing the membrane system needs to be water flushed as follows: Filtration systems with storage tank - fill the entire tank with water, then open filter faucet and pour out all the water from the system. The operation needs to be performed twice. DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER

Filtration systems without tank - after the installation entire system needs to be water flushed for not less than 5 minutes. DO NOT DRINK THIS WATER.