The Zero Water filter system eliminates most common toxic heavy metals and it reduces Chlorine and Fluoride. Clean drinking water is important for your health so make the right choice when buying a water filter system.
Like most Americans, I used to have bottled water delivered to my home and bought disposable water bottles to carry.
That was over a decade ago.
Of course, I know better now so I don’t buy bottled water anymore but I still don’t drink water straight out of the tap either. Why?....because my tap water is contaminated. No, I don’t live in a third world country without clean water. In fact, my water supply is treated so well that it passes all standard guidelines established by the EPA and the State Health Department every year.
But, according to my town's Water Department, my tap water still contains organic and inorganic particles as well as some microbes. In addition, in order to meet those standards, it gets disinfected and treated with chemicals like chlorine and sodium hydroxide. While fluoride is not added for my water supply, yours might contain fluoride.
Well, I don’t need any of those chemicals in my body so I filter my water for drinking and in the shower.
If you read my older post, "what's under your kitchen sink", you know I have two cartridge filters under my kitchen sink; one for sediments and one for finer particles.
And boy, do these filters get clogged very quickly, hence, more evidence that there are stuff in my water that I don’t want.
I am satisfied with the filtered tap water for cleaning and cooking but when I drink straight from the tap, I want to make sure that I don’t taste the chlorine, but more importantly, that I don’t ingest any other chemicals.
So, my DH (Dear Husband) bought a new filter system from Home Depot for our water cooler (from the bottled water days) called Zero Water. By the way, I have a chlorine eliminating filter attached to my shower head too. My thinking is, if I am not happy with drinking chlorine, why would I want my skin, the largest organ in the body, to absorb all that chlorine? Did you read about how swimming can exacerbate asthma and allergies in kids because of chlorine?
I digress...Back to Zero Water
Zero Water Filter Review
Zero Water (ZW) is a filter system that combines an easy and non-messy way to replace filter cartridges to produce clean drinkable water. This great filter system fits on top of any water cooler machines. Just add water to the top of the jug and the cooler dispenses clean water. It even comes with a handheld meter that measures Total Dissolved Solids (TDS.) TDS is any detectable dissolved solid particles in the water that you can taste. The electrode on the tip of the TDS meter detects ions in the water and converts the parts per million readings to a number on the meter.
Just to compare, I tested my tap water before I filtered it through ZW and the reading was 47. Mind you, that tap water already went through TWO filters under the sink! And then, I tested my old brand of bottled water and the reading was 26 – better than my tap but still not Zero. My unfiltered bathroom faucet’s reading was in the 90’s!
BUT…when I tested the water from the cooler, you guessed it, the reading was 0. Zero!! Hence, the name of the product, Zero Water.
How does it work?
I recommended Zero Water to a friend, John, who is a tropical fish aficionado. He researched high and low to find the easiest method to generate clean water for his fish tank and learned a lot about water filters in the process. Although he doesn't use ZW for his fish tank because he already had installed a reverse osmosis system before I told him about ZW, he was astonished that it can generate such clean water, in such a compact and efficient way.
According to John, these filters work similarly to reverse osmosis. He said that the cartridges are actually a five-stage water filter system, putting the water through sediment, carbon, and De-Ionizing (DI) resin. So the system is like a compact Reverse Osmosis (RO)/DI water filter without all the plumbing and water waste like RO. RO typically generates one drinkable gallon for every four gallons of water it wastes. I did not know that. Not very environmentally cool nor very efficient since the pipes and plumbing that are required are complicated to install. So if this system is good enough drinking water for John, I figured, it's a pretty amazing system.
I love having Zero chemicals in my water. (Pun intended) But I was not sure if “not tasting chlorine” was the same thing as “not containing chlorine”. (Blame it on my Type "A" personality...) And I couldn’t find any information about whether Zero Water filters fluoride so I contacted the company and this is what a customer service representative wrote back.
1. Does your system filter out fluoride?
When it comes to water there are 4 types of contaminants found, organic, inorganic, radiological, and micro biological. Zero Water filters have the technology to reduce organic, inorganic, and radiological elements out of the water. The TDS meter included will test for inorganic in water such as salts, metals, minerals, chlorides, fluorides, etc. Fluoride is inorganic and is treated with Zero Water. Zero Water is best compared to distilled water, minus the distilled water taste.
2. When the system was certified for "Chlorine taste and odor", does that mean it filters out chlorine?
Yes, we filter out chlorine to an undetectable level on parts per million basis, the water tester test on a parts per million basis, so when you see a reading of 000, you know it's only H20.
3. If the system has the patent to filter out microbes, why isn't it filtering out microbes?
That's not available for U.S use yet, we look to release it in the near future
So that means, if TDS meter reading is Zero, there are no detectable solids in the water; no chlorine and no fluoride. I love that!...especially since there has been so much news about pharmaceuticals ending up in drinking water. That doesn't mean we should switch to bottled water; it just means we should filter our drinking water. What’s more, ZW will take back your used cartridges to recycle them. So you don’t have to throw out the used plastic cartridges. Just send them back to the company. How great is that?
Pros
- Pretty simple to use. The cartridges fit in the top water well. Pour water in the top water well and it filters down to the cooler. You can dispense water from the water cooler.
- Better for the environment since there’s no waste of water to generate drinkable water, unlike Reverse Osmosis filters.
- Eliminates complications of changing filters under the sink.
- The filter system fits any water cooler.
- Now, there is a portable pitcher or a pitcher for the refrigerator models available if you don't have room for a water cooler in the kitchen.
- Replacement filters may seem costly but you can shop around for lower prices everywhere than just the company. The water cooler uses 2 cartridges at a time and needs to be replaced when the TD reading no longer reads "0." My water is pre-filtered from under the sink so I normally have to change Zero Water filters every 3-4 months, depending on the season. Your frequency may vary.
- They will take the filters back to recycle!!! Totally awesome!
Cons
- Sometimes, leaks can occur when the seal between the cooler and the top water well is not tight.
- The water is slightly acidic. That's because it eliminates mot of the metals and minerals. So you'd have to make sure to eat an alkaline rich diet to maintain pH balance.
- There are no trace minerals left in the water so you'd have to supplement.
Final Thoughts on Zero Water Filter
I love ZW filters so much that I have recommended it to friends and family. Here is a review about the Zero Water filters by Good Housekeeping. See? I'm not the only one who loves this system!
The Zero Water website also has more technical information on how their filters work. When water tastes this good, you’ll never want to drink any other filtered water or bottled water or just plain tap water. Ever!
UPDATE
Since I posted this review, I became curious about their blue plastic bottle and if it contained BPA so I contacted the company. The customer service supervisor reassured me that it does NOT contain BPA and the plastic is made of "food grade styrene". Phew!
Also, some of you asked if I noticed any smell in the water as some other reviews reported. I am pleased to say that I never noticed any smell in the water. But from reading through the company's FAQ section, water can smell fishy if the filter needs to be changed. Or if the water is leaking from the filter cartridges and the TDS reading is NOT zero.
Zero Water company's FAQ section addresses many questions you might have. Click through all the categories on the left on the FAQ page. But, if you have questions about my personal experience with the filter system, please don't hesitate to email me. I'll be glad to answer any questions. I didn't get paid to do this review nor did the company send me free products for this review.
TmNi says
I'm concerned about the "thirsty" water problem created by taking EVERYTHING out of the water. Apparently, when water is stripped of all minerals, it will leach minerals from your body. I don't know if this is true or not, but the water tastes flat compared to our Brita and our Pur. I'm aware that the Brita doesn't remove as many heavy metals but we don't have a problem with that in our water.
Joseph says
The ZW filter appears to produce distilled water with a PPM of 000... This means its pH should be acidic and well below a pH of 7. More like 6 or even as low as 5.4, To my surprise ZW filter puts out water with a pH of almost 8 with a ppm of 000... The only way this is possible is through electrolysis, not unlike a Kangen water machine. My concern is simple... If ZW is producing alkaline Hydroxide solutions, then it should be clearly labeled as such. It is dangerous to drink Hydroxides in replacement of true pure water. If anyone can provide any further information please do feel free to email me, as Im needing more clarity on what this filter is actually producing, because it certainly does not appear to be water... Thank you for your time.
Dr. Karen Lee says
Joseph,
I didn't research on the pH levels of ZW for this post but if you would like more info about the pH level, you can contact them here https://www.zerowater.com/contactus.aspx
Tyler says
I bought A Zero Water Pitcher & Counter Top that works really great. My tap water is pre filtered with charcoal filtration and is testing at 0.79- 1.04 with the free ZW tester.
After filtration with 4 weeks of use my water still tests 0.00 after filtering.
I had bought a Brita faucet mounted filter and thought I would use it to filter water before adding it to my ZW system.
While testing the tap before and after going threw the Brita filter ever after only a few days use of the Brita.
The Brita filtered water was testing at a slightly higher rate of Sediment than the tap water it was filtering.
Sadly this shows sediment being filtered out was going back into the water.
I am satisfied with the Zero Water and plan to buy a different drip counter top filter Made by Zen with a filter process that adds the minerals back into the water after filtering. Zero Water and Zen will make the perfect combination.
Dr. Karen Lee says
My kids in college have the Zero Water pitchers too! Yes, Brita does have higher sediment content. We tested them too. Glad you discovered Zero Water!
jerry bizot says
what is the alloy they use in the filter?
Barb Anderson says
I am so glad to hear the positive responses to Zero Water...I live in an assisted living facility that has rust around the room sink drain and rust under the community kitchen sink... Just bought my pitcher yesterday and so glad to have it. I only wish Zero water had a shower filter that I could use... anyone have any suggestions? since zero water doesn't have a shower filter? thanks.
Royal Gotti says
I have just bought a Zero-Water system, with the understanding that the filter life will be 40 gallons. I did it with the intent for writing a review. Here are the results. The starting test using there meter from tap water at 590 went to .06. I measured each gallon of water. At 3 gallons the rating using there meter is 500 again and not the water taste funny. So, one trial, and that will be the last. I wrote the company for a replacement filter. All I got, was that, the filter works and that is it. For the expense of 6 dollars per gallon. I find this, to be an over priced, water system Next review coming soon.
By Royal Gotti
IvonnePerezMontijo says
@FredericH I am in Palmdale, used to live in Long Beach, I use my pitchers for everything, drinking, cooking, coffee, pets and I have 3 dogs--so I go through about 1- pitchers of water a day and my filters last 2-3 months.
FilmCriticOne says
stevegirard Id test those "RO" filtered water, they are NOT zero, and may not be close. Test, test, test. Trust but verify
whitetiger0603 says
Margo, I'm noticing with my ZERO system the big dual tank filters, that the ph of my water goes down from. 7.7 in the tap, to around 5.5 o out of the filter. I'm trying to find out if the Ion Exchange actually causes this drop in ph.
stevegirard says
We've used the ZW pitcher here in Baltimore, and the filter lasts about 2 weeks before the numbers go back up. I think Karen's under-sink filters are helping her ZW last a lot longer. The Mom's Organic Market in our area offers RO generated water re-fills... very economical for us. We just bring our empty water containers and we're good to go.
mikulakerr says
I just noticed there is a great deal of misinformation on this site about fluoride. It is a naturally-occurring substance found in most ground water. Like most good things, if you take too much of it...it is bad. When you take just the right amount...it is a miracle drug. Most cities in the U.S. put in a modest amount of fluoride, an amount that would never hurt someone no matter how much water they drank! This amount is proven to mimic what is found in nature...an amount that makes our teeth stronger. Certain forms of calcium do the same thing, and it is also bad for you to take too much of it. People who take too much supplemental calcium get hypercalcemia and can go into a coma, but that doesn't mean calcium is a bad thing. The company that makes the Zero system, no doubt profits from people who unreasonably fear fluoride...but facts are facts, and science is science.
George Smith says
Thanks for your contribution Big Pharma shill. You forgot to post a picture of the label on a barrel of fluorosilic acid (skull and cross bones and corrosive danger warnings), mention the source of this toxin (pollution captured from fertilizer smoke stacks), that a third of toxic pharmaceutical drugs contain fluoride, reference the almost 60 studies that fluoride lowers the IQ of children and mention the numerous other effects of fluoride poisoning (dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, inhibition/disruption of enzymes, etc).
mikulakerr says
Yikes...we started smelling a fish smell, even though our filter still tested out ok (not in need of replacement. We also realized that this water filter takes out most of the fluoride (a naturally occurring substance found in streams everywhere). This was an interesting experiment for us, but who needs a water filter that causes problems.
George Smith says
Pathetically transparent.....
Matt says
Its hard to find a good filter than takes out fluoride. Fluoride is an extremely toxic neurotoxin that has been banned in several counries by the way. Iv'e been useing zero water for 2 weeks now and am glad I bought it.
Margo S. Eisenberg says
I was wondering two things; The filters that you said you had under your sink as a pre-measure before using the ones on top of your cooler, did it require plumbing to install it? And more importantly, does the zero water filter produce water that is more alkaline than existing tap water which is highly acidic? I am looking for pure drinking water not only free from toxins, but also alkaline. Can you help?
Franklin says
I took the chance to buy this filter before anyone had, whew it works well and i constantly impress friends with a tasting! Set up several glasses of water from various sources Zero wins consistantly! I would like better prices or life on filters but my tap is 380 in the Los angeles area. Even when it goes above 80ppm it still tatses amazingly good.
Franklin says
Oh I forgot to mention I have several now and travel with a pitcher in the car too!
ecokaren says
Thanks for your feedback. I heard that water in LA is bad but I didn't realize 'how' bad. That is one factor that determines how frequently you have to change your filters. In some parts of the country, it will definitely cost more. But I rather spend the money and buy filters than to buy bottled water still. Thanks again!
Willard says
I can’t believe that so many people were dissatisfied with this product! I've had mine for over two years now and I never had a problem with the system. I love the taste of the water and feel that this water is much safer to drink than from any other water filters. Just ask Dr. Oz - he had a program on how bad our drinking water is out of the faucet and that includes bottled water that we buy from the store. My PPM reads 34 and I live in the Queens, NYC area. The filter lasts for about one and half years. I think the average cost is about 50 cents per gallon. Five of my friends whom I have recommended the system, haven’t had any problems. I have friends that lived in Greece with a PPM of 250 and they also live in PA with a PPM of 150. Because of the higher PPM, the more often you have to change the filter and the cost ends up being higher.
I also believe that the Zero Water system can be a good survival tool during bad times. By using this filter, your drinking water can come from rain water, lake water, ocean water, toilet water, etc., you can even drink water from a bottle of Clorox. I saw someone filtering Clorox with Zero Water and then drinking it. This is just to illustrate that this filtering system does a great job and I would recommend it to anyone.
FredericH says
I don't know what the water is like in NYC, but the filter lasts 9 days in So Cali.
ecokaren says
What is your reading on your PPM reader for your unfiltered tap water? Mine reads 38-42. But after it's filtered, it reads ZERO. And my filters (I have a water cooler type and not the pitcher) last for a very long time......months! And I am from the suburbs of NYC.
Will says
Hmmm, if you go to such great lengths for clean water why not get a real RO/DI unit?
This zero filter is just an inefficiently small and constructed RODI unit. Because of its construction you will not get much more than 20 gallons out of it before a filter change, and lets not mention most of the cost of the unit goes to paying the companies huge advertising bills. You can get units on ebay that can do 100 gallons of water a day, with filters with replacement life measured in years and thousands of gallons for only 80 bucks. Also the filters for those are cheaper than ZW because they are not proprietary.
Karen says
Hi Will,
Thanks for your comment. If I had room for a RO/DI unit, I would install it but unfortunately, I don't have room in my little kitchen. The water cooler I have fits in my kitchen is more practical, for me. For others, yeah, it'd make more sense to install a RO/DI unit for sure.
But the other issue to consider is how would I collect the wasted water and reuse it. I can't fathom throwing it out. That would make no sense.
But you are right. A real RO/DI unit would be much cheaper. Thanks!
FredericH says
Hi Will. What are the units you are mentioning? I would love to get a decent unit. I bought zero water and the filter lasts for 9 days. Way too expensive to replace the filters that often. Costs more than gasoline. I am returning it to Target today. Please let me know what the best unit is in your opinion. What you have said lines up with my experience, and I don't understand how these positive reviews exist, unless maybe on the payroll? Who knows. Anyway, thanks for the help.
ecokaren says
Hi Fredric,
No, I am not on Zero Water Filter's payroll. I wish! But no. The ironic thing is, I usually receive free products from companies to review but not for this review. I was using their filters for awhile before I decided to do a review here.
moe vosko says
I LOVE CLEAN WATER, I'D LIKE TO TRY IT...
Brenda Siegel says
I've been purchasing RO Water for drinking, and using a Brita on the Kitchen faucet and have shower filters. I've just heard about the Zero Water from a neighbor, I want to try it, it would be so much better for me than buying water and sounds so much healtier, too! If you have any coupons left I'd be most grateful! Thank s for all the good info!
Dr Lindsay Fontana says
I appreciate your review. I am currently switching from bottled water to a filtration system and you've helped me decide on ZeroWater. Are the pitchers as good as the larger units? Do you know when the company will be introducing the bacteria, etc eliminating units?
Thanks,
Dr. Fontana
P.S. Love a coupon if any left. Thanks again.
Bruce says
Hi, I have just rchased my 12th ZPWR. Wow, sweet and great taste is not a thing that have to be missed at all. Thank you Zaer Water. This makes my mom seem like you have got to be better. All my friends have too, so let me know and I`ll be happy to assist with maybe a few more. Can I in Orlando, Fl be able to carry those heavy bags of salt, no more, haha! The best of everything in such a compact bottle. Great!
Thanks for letting me share,
Bruce
Kathy V. says
I'd love to try the pitcher, if you still have coupons available!
Dr. Karen says
Hi Ben,
Thanks for stopping by.
I never experienced the "dead fish smell" since I had this filter system. I did smell something when I had the Brita pitcher though. But I use Zero Water filters for a water cooler system now and I never had any type of odor problem.
I wonder if the odor is coming from the unfiltered water just sitting in the water well on top while it's being filtered? Sometimes, if the water is not chilled and is at room temperature for a long time, that can smell too.
Just as a preventive measure for any bacterial build up or mildew, I do wash the plastic containers in vinegar and warm water when I change the filters. No soap or detergent, just vinegar and warm water.
Do you want to try the pitcher? I still have three coupons left for the pitcher. Let me know. 🙂
Ben says
Hello, I am interested in the filter system too. I read about it in an EWG.org email. They tested the water in almost every county and have the results organized on their website. They are also doing great things for water conservation in this country. I have read that the filters eventually leave a "dead fish smell" in the water. What say you, about this? Have you experienced anything like this? Thanks for the heads up.
Sheila says
I am looking into purchasing the zero water pitcher. My husband does not believe that the water from the Brita filter still has a taste. I hope that this works better than what I am using now.
ZeroWater Filter says
Wow, thanks for the great review! I like Zero Water filters too, especially the tester. The meter gives me a peace of mind as I know I'm drinking decent water. With other filters, it's a guessing job.
Anne says
Thanks for the info, my hubby is a clean water freak, we have a Hague whole house filtration system plus use a brita pitcher and he still isn't happy with our well water. Hope this works for us too. Please email me and I'll send you my address for the coupon. Thanks!
Bobcaaat says
I am also a clean water nut. I drink at least 6 liters of water per day, and as you can guess, my bottled water usage creates way too much recycle/landfill mass. I saw ads for this product on TV, and checked it out on the internet. I decided to buy a pitcher from Target. I have been using a Brita filter for some time now, and it just doesn't remove enough of the contaminants I find in Houston TX city water even though we have a 2 filter system for our kitchen supply too. I grew up in Wisconsin, and I guess I took the excellent quality of the water supply there for granted. I'm hoping that the Z water pitcher will come close. I am concerned about filter life, and plan to prefilter the water through my Brita pitcher before putting it through the Z water system. I'm interested in your offer for the coupons. Please contact me via e-mail, and I will provide my name and address.
Thanks, Bobcaaat
Marj M says
I would so love this pitcher. The coupon would help big time. We have well water and use another brand pitcher. Zero Water Filter Pitchers would be the ultimate.
Thank you for the chance.
Beth says
Great article and great find, Karen! Sounds like you found an economical and green solution to filtering water at home!!