Thursday, November 1, 2012

Zuvo Water Filtration Review and Giveaway!

Being from the midwest, I grew up a milk drinker. Milk was the only option for drinks at dinner (unless it was a special occasion) and it was unfathomable to have anything else with desserts. I think because of this, I've never been a big water drinker. When I would play sports or something I'd have water, but it wasn't like I would be hanging out in the summer and just have to have a glass of water. It wasn't until I got older that I started to really understand the benefits of water, and it wasn't until I moved to the desert and got pregnant in the 120 degree heat that I realized how necessary water actually is! Then, start nursing a newborn and you will put away water like a camel!

When I was approached to review a water filtration system from Zuvo I was intrigued to see if this simple system could actually make my tap water taste better. I'm not "snobby" about many things but drinking water from the tap out here gives me the heebie-jeebies. In addition to taste, I was also interested in the cost and environmental benefits of a system that connects right to your faucet. By having drinkable, safe, water right out of the tap, I would save money on constantly buying bottled water and therefore save on constantly disposing of the used bottles. Yes, I recycle, but still, it's a waste of money and resources to buy it in the first place. So, needless to say I was intrigued.**DISCLAIMER** I am not a chemist, biologist, water analyst, or anything that ends in -ist. This is only my personal experience and I am not qualified to speak authoritatively on the water purification process.But, if you want to know how Zuvo works, check this site out"

The folks at Zuvo agreed to send me a system of my choice. They have two options, one for on top of the counters that attaches directly to your existing faucet, and another that is hooked up under your sink and connects to a designated Zuvo Beverage Faucet. Since my kitchen sink has a sprayer hooked to it and no designated water faucet, I opted for the "on the counter" system and thought I would hook it up to the sink in B's bathroom.  I've said it before, sometimes my parenting decisions are based on the idea of "working smarter not harder" and if I can give B safe, clean water to drink before bed, or in the middle of the night, without having to go down to the kitchen, why not?! :)

Even in the bathroom, it doesn't take up much space
How fun with the lights off!
So, onto the DIY installation part. I LOVE DIY projects and I love when they are just as easy to do as they appear on the outside. Hooking this system up was a breeze! I simply unscrewed the existing faucet nozzle, screwed on a male/female faucet adapter (I ended up getting this from Home Depot. Zuvo's awesome product manager did send me two different male/female adapters but my faucet is ridiculous, so neither worked. The one I got from Home Depot was about $6) screwed on the Zuvo system and plugged it in. It seriously does not get any easier than that! Once it was plugged in, I followed the instructions and turned the faucet on. Then I pulled the pin that's on the adapter and the machine lit up! This mini-water tornado was happening on the inside of the Zuvo and that's what was flushing the filter and making the water clean. According to Zuvo's website: "The Zuvo Water Filtration System is based on a unique, patented five-step cleansing process including Ozonation, Ultraviolet Light, Photo-Oxidation, Filtration, and Post Filtration UV" This is what is actually making the water safe to drink. For us non-scientific people; it's also pretty to look at and intriguing for children to watch the tank light up and the water spin around.


All hooked up in the bathroom!



So, how did I test it? Well, the first test was the installation,and like I said, that was a breeze! Super easy and self-explanatory! I did notice a little "leaking" coming from the top of the faucet a couple days after installation.It only happened once the Zuvo system turned on. To solve it, I simply unscrewed the nozzle, added some of the white plumber's tape that was provided, screwed the nozzle back on and viola! No more leaking!

The water comes out the small spigot on the right
The next test was the taste test and I'll be honest, I wasn't looking forward to it. I was nervous about what I was signing my tastebuds up for given my past experience of drinking tap water. I delayed it as long as possible, but then decided to dive in. First, I tasted our regular tap water. Eh, city water. Not terrible, but tasted kind of metallic-y (not metallic-a! HAHA!), and a bit like pool water. Next was the Zuvo filtered water; It tasted clear. Surprisingly, the metallic/pool water taste was gone. I venture to say, with a couple ice cubes I could even pass it off for fancy "bottled" water!

My last test was actually with the water itself. We have city water, which by city standards it's already deemed "safe to drink" but the taste is terrible. I contacted a lab, certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to ask about the Zuvo claims and how it would affect my water. The lab director that I spoke with, Jim, stated since we currently use city water I could take the two samples to any pool store to have the water tested free. Otherwise, their tests were $20 a piece and I would need to specify which contaminates I would want to test for. I read him the details about what the Zuvo system claims to remove and he again indicated a pool store would be able to test for those. (I almost wish we didn't have city water to be able to run these tests. I have a feeling people with well water or something similar would have dramatic differences in their water!) Anyway, after going to the pool store, the tester there told me the tap water was clean but that there were definite levels of chlorine. When I gave him the other sample he said "Well, whatever you did to this one got rid of the chlorine". I told him it was a water filtration system hooked up to my sink. He seemed a bit surprised that that's all it took to remove the chlorine, but conceded nonetheless that the chlorine was gone. Resulting in the much more pleasant taste.


I've been using this system for about a week now and haven't had any issues with leaks (after using the plumbing tape mentioned above) or the taste of the water changing. When it is time to change the filter, I found this out from Zuvo's FAQ page:

Standard-capacity and VOC filters should be changed every 3 months, or after 250 gallons of water have flowed through the filter, whichever comes first. High-capacity filters should be changed every 5 months, or after 400 gallons of water have flowed through the filter, whichever comes first. However, water quality and water usage may affect the frequency of filter changes. Monitor your water usage if possible, as it can change seasonally. If you start to see degradation in water flow from your Zuvo Water Filtration System or experience an unusual taste, change the filter. The 300 Series models have an indicator light that tells you when it's time to change your filter. The newer 100 Series models have a buzzer that tells you when it's time to change your filter. The indicator light and buzzer take the guesswork out of changing your filter.

So, that's it. It really is that easy to have clean, safe, drinking water right from your tap. If you just can not wait to stop wasting money and protecting the environment, check out this website to find out where to get a Zuvo Water sytem for yourself.

-OR-

If you're feeling lucky, the generous people over at Zuvo are giving away a Zuvo Water system to one lucky reader! Fill out the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win!! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

**Thank you to Zuvo Water for providing the products for review and giveaway. The above review is of my own opinion and may differ from your own.**

51 comments:

  1. Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series with Bora Bora Beverage Faucet (Chrome)
    aunteegem@yahoo.com
    thkanks

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  2. I would choose the one that goes on the top of the sink!

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  3. I like the Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series with Moorea Beverage Faucet (Brushed Nickel) but I would have to check with my husband to make sure it could be installed in our home! :) Sounds awesome!!

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    1. That's the great part Wendy, even if you don't install the one under the sink, you can still use one on top of your counter with almost any faucet!

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  4. I would choose the under the counter one!

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  5. I would chose the counter top one. Such a great idea.

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  6. I would pick the 100 Series, Countertop Water Filtration System

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  7. I would probably choose Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series

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  8. I would choose the countertop one. I think they are both the 300 series so I'm just gonna say countertop. Thank you for the giveaway!

    Val
    lastnerve2000 at gmail dot ocm

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  9. Countertop. Even I could install that. :)

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  10. I'd pick the Countertop one too!
    crochet4hats[at]gmail[dot]com

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  11. I WOULD CHOSE THE WATER FITRATION 300 SERIES IN ANY OF THE CHROME AND I WOULD BE SURE TO PICK UP A WATER BOTTLE AS WELL-THANKS!

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  12. I'd like in my bathroom.
    magloro@gmail.com

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  13. Over the counter but ultimately my husband would have to choose which one, he is the say all be all of the house lol =D
    Kaci Guisinger Harrison

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  14. I would choose the counter top!

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  15. I would choose the Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series

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  16. I would choose the under-the-counter model

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  17. I would want the 300 series and I would use it in my camper. I have good tasting water in my home, but the water in my camper is only good for dishes, showering and flushing the toilet. I have to buy bottled water for the camping season.

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  18. 300 Series with Moorea Beverage Faucet in chrome!!

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  19. Zuvo Water Filtration System, 100 Series with Tahiti Beverage Faucet (Polished Stainless Steel)

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  20. I would choose the under the cabinet model so I could save the small space I do have :)

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  21. Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series with Moorea Beverage Faucet (Oil-Rubbed Bronze)is probably what I would choose!

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  22. I think I would go with the under counter model.

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  23. I would love the water pitcher!

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  24. I think for our family under the counter hook up would be the best--thanks for asking

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  25. Under the counter would work best in our house

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  26. The Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series with Moorea Beverage Faucet (Chrome)!

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  27. I'd let my mom choose but I like the Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series with Moorea Beverage Faucet. Thanks for the chance to win.

    Norleans

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  28. I like the Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series with Moorea Beverage Faucet . ml_mcafee@yahoo.com

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  29. I think I would choose an under the counter system.
    tarter95 at hotmail dot com

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  30. Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series with Moorea Beverage Faucet (Oil-Rubbed Bronze)! Thx

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  31. Because of my faucet, I would have to choose an above sink model. g7s22(at)msn(dot)com

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  32. On top of the sink :) jessicapeeling@yahoo.com

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  33. I would choose the counter top version! Great giveaway!
    mindomatter76@gmail.com

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  34. Zuvo Water Filtration System. This would help my family out alot we live in west Arizona and no one can drink the water here it was contaminated 10 years ago and it hasn't been the same since unless you have a very good filtration system or you buy your water

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  35. Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series with Bora Bora Beverage Faucet (Brushed Nickel)

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  36. Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300
    chris lineberry
    cmkdline@gmail.com

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  37. I would get the under the counter one.
    donna.marie2011@hotmail.com

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  38. Zuvo Water Filtration System, 100 Series with Bora Bora Beverage Faucet

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  39. I would want the Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series with Moorea Beverage Faucet (Chrome)
    rounder9834 @yahoo.com

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  40. I would choose the Countertop Zuvo Water Filtration System, 300 Series.

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  41. Id pick the counter top version, simple install and easy to move to another faucet if need be. Living in the desert we're big water drinkers and with a new baby in the house this would be an awesome help :)

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  42. I think I would go with the countertop version. i have never been much of a water drinker either!

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  43. This is such a great idea! simple and beautiful, very inspiring!
    Plumber Homewood, Al

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