Water is perhaps the single healthiest, simplest and most important substance that literally everyone has to ingest on a daily basis.
Gaining access to a healthy, convenient, low-cost water source can make it a lot easier to drink enough, not to mention a lot more enjoyable.
There are a few different options available, one of which is to use a countertop water dispenser. Let’s take a look at how these handy systems work.
Bottled vs filtration systems
There are two main varieties of countertop water dispensers: bottled and filtration systems.
Bottled systems
The simplest countertop water dispensers are gravity-fed systems that use bottled spring water. A large bottle of spring water is placed upside down on top of the dispenser, and can be used until it runs out.
These systems have a low up-front cost, but you need to continue to pay for water deliveries for as long as you need to use the dispenser. As a result, the long-term costs tend to add up quite significantly.
Filtration systems
Filtration systems, on the other hand, use water that comes from the tap and then pass it through a series of filters to improve the water quality.
Some of these dispensers can be linked directly to the mains, while others will have a tank that needs to be filled up whenever it runs out.
Heating & cooling
Many countertop water dispensers nowadays will also come with additional features – commonly, the ability to heat or cool the water you’re drinking, in addition to a function that will carbonise your water.
In some cases, the water will be hot enough to make tea or coffee with, eliminating the need to have a kettle. Some will also come with ice dispensers, which can be ideal for keeping cool during the height of summer.
How the filters work
If you choose to get a dispenser with an integrated filtration system, then there will be a few different options to choose from.
UVC LED filtration systems from reputable providers use ultraviolet light to kill any viruses, bacteria or other pathogens in the water, without having to use any chemicals, like chlorine.
Reverse osmosis filters use high pressure to force the water through a membrane with tiny holes. These holes are so small that only water molecules can fit through, and pretty much nothing else. As a result, they get rid of not only bacteria and viruses, but also salts and heavy metals.
Activated carbon filters are also quite popular nowadays. The highly porous carbon filters absorb contaminants and volatile organic compounds from the water, although they can take longer to work compared to some of the alternatives.
Getting a countertop water dispenser can have a big impact on your ability to stay healthy and hydrated. It makes drinking water more enjoyable, while also making the water you are drinking a lot healthier. There are plenty of options to choose from, depending on the contaminants you’re trying to get rid of and the number of people who will be drinking from the dispenser.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.