Zuvo Water Purator Water Purification System ZPS130

When it comes to improving the taste and health of our water, choices range from buying bottled water, using pitcher, dispenser or tap filters to the larger and much more expensive ultra-violet(UV) system. There's not a lot in between, but Zuvo offers a water system that incorporates some of the purification features usually found in larger units, in a more compact and affordable design. My home's water intake is anything but typical as I'll explain below, so I wanted to test the Zuvo to see how it could further improve the quality of our water, especially when it comes to taste and odor.

The Zuvo™ Water Purator™ ZPS130 is a 5-Step Patented Puration system that can be installed on the counter or under it.
Step 1: Ozonation - Ozone mixes with tap water to treat and improve taste and odor; ozone is a powerful oxidizer.
Step 2: Ultraviolet(UV) light exposure - The ozone saturated water is flooded with high intensity UV-light to reduce microorganisms.
Step 3: Photo-oxidation - Ozone and UV work together to treat contaminants and microbes.
Step 4: Water goes through activated carbon filtration with lead removal.
Step 5: Post filtration UV - The filtered water is again exposed to UV light.
-Class B system conforms to ANSI/NSF55 standards
-Reproduces the photo-oxidation process naturally found in the environment
-Produces healthy, great tasting water
-More cost effective than buying bottled water
-Brushed aluminum finish
-Ultraviolet glow when filtration is active
-Chemical-free water treatment
-Easy installation on standard faucets and an optional Butler Faucet Kit is available for under-counter installation.
-For household use on potable water
-Eliminates wasteful plastic water bottles
-Zuvo Water Purator meets NSF Standards 42 and 53 for the reduction of contaminants claimed in the product data sheet
-Process does not strip out trace minerals
-MSRP: $299.99 Model UC-3; Replacement Filter Cartridge #PBFA-01-01R $29.99; Replacement UV Lamp IBWA-01-02R $79.99
-As part of its quest to reduce the impact of plastic water bottles on the planet, Zuvo hopes to provide healthy water for the world by donating 5% of production to needy communities everywhere.

December 5, 2009 The Zuvo was placed on the counter, plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter(GFCI) as recommended, then attached to the faucet with a diverter valve. This is the simplest, non-invasive installation.

Where most homes are on treated community water, ours is not. Direct lake water is pumped in and treated at the main intake line, with an in-house large ultraviolet(UV) system, followed by a non-charcoal filter. While we felt assured that our own system was adequately reducing harmful bacteria, we wanted to see/taste/smell the benefits of supplemental treatment and filtration, to see if it could improve the taste and odor of lake water, as well as remove other contaminants. Our water was deemed potable in prior tests, but we assume it has more mineral content than usual. To avoid the lake taste, we also drink untreated bottled water. After installing the Zuvo, this water was used primarily for drinking and testing ran for almost six weeks.

Installing the Zuvo on the counter may be the only choice for some, but though the unit itself is not that big, it still requires counter space and the flow lines that attach to the faucet are visible and can be annoying when it comes to cleaning around the area. However, you can overlook this when it comes to enjoying safe and better tasting water. The other option is installing under-counter which requires a GFCI within the cabinet area, hook-up to plumbing and a Butler faucet installed at the sink. This leaves nothing visible except for the small sink faucet. This would be my preferred installation choice.

For a home test and in the absence of confirmed lab tests, I have to rely on the testing that was done by the manufacturer and the standards that were met, for assurance that the system works as it should, when installed as recommended and maintained properly. For this reason, my home test does not confirm the efficiency of the UV treatment, but looks at the difference the ozonation and filtration makes in way of taste, odor, clarity and filter efficiency. Basically, what the average home user would see, taste and smell.

The major difference we experienced using the Zuvo, was improved taste and smell. The ever present lake taste and 'fishy' odor were gone, replaced with a clear refreshing taste similar to spring water. Not cold of course, but better tasting. We feel that this was most likely due to the filter and ozonation process, but also could be the result of additional bacterial UV treatment. After almost six weeks, we inspected the filter and there was nothing visible, so we must assume that our own post filter is adequately removing particles and silt, or the testing period was not long enough for noticeable build-up. One thing that is not desirable and probably cannot be improved without losing the compact nature of the Zuvo, is the low water flow. So you need patience when filling a glass or water jug.

I like the size of the Zuvo and the five-step treatment, the installation options, maintenance costs and especially the improved taste of the water. Zuvo offers the consumer an affordable and manageable choice for improving their water quality.

When it comes to improving taste, odor and providing the peace of mind that additional water treatment and filtration can give, a small affordable system like the Zuvo offers a lot to the user - improved health and taste of community-treated water at a reasonable cost without the major expense of a large system or on-going costs of buying bottled water. Our large UV system was three times the cost of the Zuvo and requires considerable space, yet it does not treat with ozone or carbon filter to improve the taste/odor of our drinking water. The operation maintenance expense for the Zuvo is less as well. The filter is expected to last six months to a year and costs $29.99 to replace and the UV light has a life expectancy of up to three years with a replacement cost of $79.99. That's much less overall than the $250 a year we pay to maintain our larger system.

For those on raw untreated water, a large system may be unavoidable. But those on treated (potable) water who want healthier water and to reduce their bottled water expense, may find installing a Zuvo Water Purator to be the best choice.

Learn more about Zuvo or find a dealer from the manufacturer. Review faucet or plumbing installation guides before ordering. Zuvo is sold in various finishes and in kits with different accessories.
Compare prices of other Zuvo products.

Disclosure: Review sample was provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

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