Water is one of the essentials humans needs for survival. The solvency of water makes it susceptible to easily dissolving impurities. Even with the importance of water, it is mind-boggling that so many people still do not have access to safe water. Which begs the question, why? An estimated 5 million people around the world die annually from diseases caused by unsafe drinking water, lack of sanitation and inadequate water hygiene.
The good news is we can make water safe for consumption through a purification system – purification is a method of separation used for separating solid matter from liquid through a medium with pores. They get rid of bacteria, chemicals, ultrafine particles, sediment, and any foul taste in your tap water.
The pressing need for easily accessible, clean, and potable water that is completely safe for consumption is the problem the ZeroWater company & their ZeroWater pitcher aims to provide the solution with their patented 5-tier system. In this post we will be reviewing Zero Water pitchers: the functionality, taste, reviews, how it stacks up to Pur and Brita, the good, the bad and rating value as reported by former Pur and Brita users and if it’s truly the best water purifier available.
If you are concerned about the quality of your drinking water due to potential contaminants, impurities, or an unpleasant taste that can affect your health then continuing reading!
What are ZeroWater Pitchers?
The ZeroWater water pitcher is a water purifying system with multiple certifications like NSF certification that purifies regular tap water by getting rid of 99% of total dissolved solids with a 5 stage system unlike most pitchers currently available. Numerous tests show purifying your water through the ZeroWater pitcher will lead to cleaner, pure-tasting clean water which some may consider bland because of its near-zero TDS but an overall better drinking experience.
What are Total Dissolved Solids?
Also known as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) is the total concentration of inorganic salts, (e.g. calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium and chloride) and a list of organic compounds that are dissolved solids in liquids. These dissolved solids can get deposited inside water in different ways. Some are from naturally occurring sources like rocks, while others come through human activities like agricultural and industrial runoff. It is important to mention that TDS is not considered as a primary harmful pollutant but as a pointer to the presence of contaminants in water that can cause a foul-tasting water.
How Does ZeroWater Pitcher Work?
Unlike Brita and Pur brands, ZeroWater features a great design, patented 5 stage purification, exchange of ions process to remove as much as 99.6 percent of total detectable dissolved solids in water. Each level has a cumulative effect on purity until the neutral taste is achieved.
First stage: Removes items like fine particles and sediments from water.
Second stage: This is made of a foam distributor whose sole purpose is to maximize contact time. It disperses the water more evenly across the entire width of the pticher to remove more sediments more efficiently. This increases longevity and the ability to remove more contaminants & solids.
Third stage: Uses activated charcoal as well as an oxidation-reduction alloy. The oxidation-reduction alloy carbon removes contaminants and is constant in most conventional systems. This activated carbon is especially good for organics and for improved taste. This is the step most Pur and Brita pitchers stop.
Fourth stage: This is the dual exchange of ion arrays that is very comprehensive. It uses a negative and positive bed ion exchange resin that strips foreign objects from the water molecules and returns the liquid to a pure state.
Fifth stage: To remove ultra-fine sediments & solids (something Pur and Brita can’t do), it uses non-woven membrane layers.
The ZeroWater model number ZP-010, is a 10 cup-ready pour pitcher design with a reservoir that retails for around the $26 price point, has a capacity of about 2.3 liters (10 cups or 1 glass jug) and weighs around 1 pound. It is made of plastic and features a one-hand push-to-dispense button that makes it possible to fill your cup without any lifting. All ZeroWater products come with a free water TDS meter test meter to test the purity.
During the disinfection process at city water treatment plants, microbiological contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, cysts, and other microorganisms, are typically removed. However, it's important to note that during a boil water advisory, there might still be a risk of microbiological contaminants in the city water.
The choice of the best method for removing bacteria from water depends on the specific application. Chemical and UV disinfection, boiling, distillation, and sub-micron filtration are all effective methods, but their suitability varies based on factors like water source and intended use.
There are various methods for removing bacteria from water, such as chemical and UV disinfection, boiling, distillation, and sub-micron filtration. The best method depends on the specific application, such as treating well water or emergency preparedness.
The ZeroWater filter is not capable of removing microbiological contaminants. It is designed to filter treated city water only and should not be used for filtering untreated water.
Microbiological contaminants should typically be removed at the city water treatment plant during the disinfection process. However, there might be a risk of microbiological contaminants in city water during a boil water advisory.
Pros of ZeroWater Water Pitcher
1) 5 Stage Process That Reduce TDS Levels To 0
ZeroWater water pitcher gets rid of 99.6% of harmful by-products like herbicides in tap water and is NSF certified. It also removes compounds like zinc and chlorine taste via oxidation alloy, which could be responsible for the metallic taste or the overall horrible smell & taste that your water has. It can clean 5 cups of water in 6 minutes, while a Pur and Brita pitcher takes longer for 1 cup. So no more water bottles!
2) Certified to Reduce Chlorine, Lead & Chromium
- What specific health issues can be caused by consuming water with high levels of fluoride and lead?
Drinking water with high levels of fluoride can contribute to dental and skeletal fluorosis, arthritis, and other bone damage. Similarly, consuming water with elevated lead levels can lead to kidney damage and adversely affect the central and peripheral nervous systems. These health risks highlight the importance of ensuring safe and clean drinking water.
- What can be beneficial about using the Zero Water filter?
The Zero Water filter can be beneficial, especially if you live in an area where tap water may contain levels of contaminants above the guidelines set by the EPA and state regulations. By removing dissolved solids, including harmful contaminants like fluoride and lead, it helps improve the quality and safety of drinking water.
- Are there any potential limitations or lack of scientific research supporting the health benefits of Zero Water?
While ZeroWater claims to remove contaminants, there is limited scientific research to demonstrate that drinking zero dissolved solids water is inherently "healthier" than drinking unfiltered tap water. Further research is needed to understand the potential benefits and limitations of Zero Water fully.
- What are the potential health risks associated with consuming water with high levels of fluoride and lead?
Consuming water with high levels of fluoride can lead to dental and skeletal fluorosis, arthritis, and other bone damage. On the other hand, high levels of lead in drinking water can result in kidney damage and affect the central and peripheral nervous systems.
- What contaminants does Zero Water claim to remove?
ZeroWater claims to remove the majority of dissolved solids from tap water, including beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium, as well as harmful contaminants such as fluoride and lead.
3) Comes With a Free TDS Meter
If you’re looking to test your water every time you filter it, ZeroWater water pitchers make it easier for consumers to verify & test the efficiency since the manufacturer provides a test meter (included in the price) to test the TDS level & purity of your water. Brita & most other brands on the market do not include this.
4) Uses Dual Bed Ion Exchange Technology
The ZeroWater pitcher uses an exchange process via ions, in water purification, it’s one of the most effective methods that remove undesirable material and replaces it with a non-objectionable or less objectionable ionic substance. It is more effective compared to simple carbon that does not get rid of every contaminant, especially dissolved inorganic substances. This makes ion tech a more efficient option to attain the purest form of water.
5) Easy Installation & Easy to Use
There are other systems available capable of cleaning tap water such as Brita water pitchers. ZeroWater has no setup cost and easy cleaning, unlike competing systems.
Cons of ZeroWater Pitcher
1) Short Life Expectancy
Many users have reported a shorter lifespan from their system especially when their water contains high amounts of TDS. For some users, it took between 2-3 months or 40 gallons of purified water before it began to change the taste of the water and you had to replace it with a new one. A few reported high percentages of TDS after a few months of use (only when the maintenance isn’t done as the manufacturer recommends).
2) Slow Proccessing Time
Since the water has to go through the length of five tiers of purification, the speed & flow rate can be a bit slow. Also, after multiple uses, the membrane gradually gets blocked which increases the time required for the system to work.
3) Expensive
The 5-stage process makes maintenance relatively more expensive than other available options that use only two or smaller sizes.
4) Reduction in pH
Once the filter nears the time that it needs to be changed, the pH level begins to reduce. Tests show a reduction in pH is not dangerous but the extreme reduction in pH levels causes a taste difference. All systems including Brita pitcher does this.
5) It Gets Rid of Useful Minerals
ZeroWater pitchers reduce TDS to zero. In the process, it also gets rid of a certain amount of useful minerals. Naturally occurring minerals that are beneficial to the body are removed to attain zero TDS.
Why You Should Trust Our Review
We painstakingly performed numerous tests & researched everything you need to know about ZeroWater. We made inquiries from a number of users including Brita users to bring you this informed, detailed critical review based on customer ratings.
What is the recommended process for treating well water or in emergency preparedness situations?
There are several recommended processes for treating well water in emergency preparedness situations. These methods include chemical and UV disinfection, boiling, distillation, and sub-micron filtration. However, the most suitable process ultimately depends on the specific application, whether it is treating well water or preparing for emergencies. Different methods may be more effective depending on the circumstances and the desired level of water purification. Chemical and UV disinfection can help eliminate harmful pathogens, while boiling the water can effectively kill bacteria and viruses. Distillation removes impurities through the process of evaporation and condensation, while sub-micron filtration can remove particles and contaminants. It is important to note that the appropriate method for water treatment should be chosen based on the specific situation and water quality concerns.
Conclusion
Compared to other options like Brita, ZeroWater pitchers are more expensive to maintain per cup. However, tests show ZeroWater pitchers has been proven to be more effective for removing stuff like dissolved sediments like lead, chlorine & fluoride. Purification takes longer because it goes through more steps than most brands and life expectancy is shorter compared to some other options available. The extra steps also make it a better option to purify water and reduce TDS amounts. Personal preferences play a role in selecting a water filter system because different individuals may have different preferences in terms of taste, filtration method, or other specific requirements they may have. Considering the quality of tap water is important because it determines the level of contaminants and impurities that may be present, which can affect the taste and safety of the drinking water.
We Only Sell The Best Systems!
Our impression based on our own tests is that the ZeroWater pitchers can produce gallons of water (one cup a second) with its only major shortcomings being its cost but it is still the best choice for product value & product quality. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us!
I love the taste of zero water.
I invested in it to stop using plastic bottles. I had a hard time getting the heavy filter threaded properly. Water would come out the side of the filter. They replaced the entire system for me, I hope the new one is easier to thread the filter in. It doesn’t last long. And it sure isn’t saving me money. The filters are just as bad as the individual bottles for waste in my opinion. Still the best tasting filtered water though.