"Tastes like Pool Water!"

Kitsune · 08-09-2004, 04:02 PM

His solution is to go to one of many water-selling depots around town and fill up a few five-gallon jugs from time to time.

Oh, yeah! You're talking about those little, unmanned stands that crop up, right? Those things attract people at all hours of the day. Standing outside a bar, once, around one or two in the morning I witnessed a line of peope, all carrying empty bottles, form. Creepy.

Any idea what those things do to improve the water? Some have UV lights or something, but I don't get how that helps.

jinx · 08-09-2004, 04:12 PM

We have a UV filter (to sterilize coliform bacteria), a sediment filter, and then a regular paper water filter - and there's still no way in hell I'm drinking our water. We need to get one of those water cooler things... Jim told me to do that awhile ago and I keep forgetting.

Elspode · 08-09-2004, 04:23 PM

If the PUR filters live up to their specs, they produce better water than the bottled which is readily available around KC, and at a tiny fraction of the cost.

We had a cooler and bottled water deliveries for several years. The cooler rented for $8.00 a month or thereabouts, and the bottles of water were $5.50 per 5 gallon bottle, plus a $5.00 deposit on the bottles themselves. We went through about 20 gallons of bottled water per month, so the average cost was about $30.00/month.

We've now had a PUR filter on the kitchen tap for over a year. The water quality is, to my taste, *better* than the reverse osmosis filtered Kansas River water with salts and minerals re-added that we were buying. I can get four cartridges at Sam's Club for $30.00, and each cartridge does 100 gallons of filtration minimum, so now I'm getting 400 gallons of water for $30.00 plus the cost of the water (which is a few cents). That is 80 jugs worth at $5.50, or $440.00, or a mere 7% of what I was spending before.

I lose the convenience of refrigerated water on demand without the cooler, but you know, I had to make ice cubes when I was a kid, and I find I still have the skill set. Wish I had a remote control for it, though.

Oh, there was the initial investment in the PUR cartridge housing (the part that actually fits to your faucet), and I did have one fail, so I'm on my second unit, so my actual cost efficiency may only be about 15%.

Try one and see how it does. Even if you don't like it, it is worth the try when you consider the savings over bottled water, and especially the energy consumption involved in delivering it to you, etc.

jinx · 08-09-2004, 04:52 PM

Can't argue with the math

glatt · 08-09-2004, 04:53 PM

GE and Kenmore both make cartridge sytle filter systems that go under your sink, filter the water more than Britta and PUR faucet mount systems, and cost less per gallon to operate. It's a bigger installation job though.

You really need to figure ou what you want to filter out first. A lab test may be in order. Or maybe a cheap at home kit might shed light on your situation. http://www.watersafetestkits.com/html/drinkingkits.asp

good luck.

08-09-2004, 04:12 PM	#2
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	We have a UV filter (to sterilize coliform bacteria), a sediment filter, and then a regular paper water filter - and there's still no way in hell I'm drinking our water. We need to get one of those water cooler things... Jim told me to do that awhile ago and I keep forgetting. __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

08-09-2004, 04:23 PM	#3
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	If the PUR filters live up to their specs, they produce better water than the bottled which is readily available around KC, and at a tiny fraction of the cost. We had a cooler and bottled water deliveries for several years. The cooler rented for $8.00 a month or thereabouts, and the bottles of water were $5.50 per 5 gallon bottle, plus a $5.00 deposit on the bottles themselves. We went through about 20 gallons of bottled water per month, so the average cost was about $30.00/month. We've now had a PUR filter on the kitchen tap for over a year. The water quality is, to my taste, better than the reverse osmosis filtered Kansas River water with salts and minerals re-added that we were buying. I can get four cartridges at Sam's Club for $30.00, and each cartridge does 100 gallons of filtration minimum, so now I'm getting 400 gallons of water for $30.00 plus the cost of the water (which is a few cents). That is 80 jugs worth at $5.50, or $440.00, or a mere 7% of what I was spending before. I lose the convenience of refrigerated water on demand without the cooler, but you know, I had to make ice cubes when I was a kid, and I find I still have the skill set. Wish I had a remote control for it, though. Oh, there was the initial investment in the PUR cartridge housing (the part that actually fits to your faucet), and I did have one fail, so I'm on my second unit, so my actual cost efficiency may only be about 15%. Try one and see how it does. Even if you don't like it, it is worth the try when you consider the savings over bottled water, and especially the energy consumption involved in delivering it to you, etc. __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

08-09-2004, 04:52 PM	#4
jinx Come on, cat. Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: general vicinity of Philadelphia area Posts: 7,013	Can't argue with the math __________________ Crying won't help you, praying won't do you no good.

08-09-2004, 04:02 PM	#1
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	His solution is to go to one of many water-selling depots around town and fill up a few five-gallon jugs from time to time. Oh, yeah! You're talking about those little, unmanned stands that crop up, right? Those things attract people at all hours of the day. Standing outside a bar, once, around one or two in the morning I witnessed a line of peope, all carrying empty bottles, form. Creepy. Any idea what those things do to improve the water? Some have UV lights or something, but I don't get how that helps.

08-09-2004, 04:53 PM	#5
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	GE and Kenmore both make cartridge sytle filter systems that go under your sink, filter the water more than Britta and PUR faucet mount systems, and cost less per gallon to operate. It's a bigger installation job though. You really need to figure ou what you want to filter out first. A lab test may be in order. Or maybe a cheap at home kit might shed light on your situation. http://www.watersafetestkits.com/html/drinkingkits.asp good luck.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)