Zuvo Water | Frequently Asked Questions

Puration (’pyur–ā–shun) is Zuvo’s unique, patented 5-step process that brings you healthy, great-tasting water, using the same cleansing process found in nature.

Can I install the Purator myself?

Yes! Easy-to-follow installation instructions are included with your Zuvo Water Purator™.

What is UV or ultraviolet light?

Ultraviolet light is part of the spectrum of electromagnetic energy generated by the sun. We are all exposed to the UV in sunlight. The Zuvo Purator uses UV light at the wavelength of 254nm for supplemental germicidal treatment of disinfected public drinking water. The system has been tested and conforms to NSF 53 Class B for reduction of normally occurring non-pathogenic microorganisms. The Zuvo Purator is not intended for disinfection of contaminated water or water that is microbiologically unsafe.

Will the UV light hurt my eyes or skin?

No. The energy from the UV lamp in the Zuvo Purator is absorbed by water in the system and by the walls of the plastic treatment chamber.

How is Zuvo more cost effective than other water treatment systems?

While tap or pitcher filters may seem cost-effective in the short term, the Zuvo Water Purator proves to be a better value over the long haul. Generally speaking, tap and pitcher filters require more frequent filter changes adding to their overall cost and waste.
Filter Cost Comparison

How often will I need to change my filter?

Filters should be changed at approximately the 500 gallon point, or 6 months, 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 Purator or experience an unusual taste, change the filter.

Does the Purator come with a filter?

Yes, each Zuvo Water Purator comes with a filter that’s good for 500 gallons or 6 months – whichever comes first. When you purchase your Zuvo Water Purator, you also receive an additional filter FREE.

Can I install the Purator under the sink?

Butler Faucet Kits are available at www.zuvowater.com if you don’t have a standard threaded sink faucet or prefer to have a dedicated faucet for treated water.

My Zuvo Purator stopped making bubbles. Is this normal?

It is normal for the Zuvo Purator to stop producing bubbles when the filter becomes clogged and/or the flow rate slows down dramatically. This is a good indication that it’s time to change your filter. Filters should be changed after 500 gallons, or approximately 6 months, whichever comes first.

Does the Zuvo Water Purator require electricity?

Yes. Whether installed on the countertop or under counter, the Zuvo Purator must be plugged into a 110V electrical outlet in order to function properly.

Will the Zuvo Water Purator affect my electricity bill?

No. There should be little, if any, noticeable change in your electricity bill as a result of using the Zuvo Water Purator. The system uses electricity only when it is on. For the few minutes a day that the Zuvo Purator is used, it draws just 27 watts of power. By way of comparison, most light bulbs in your home are 60 watts or higher and they are typically turned on for long periods of time when in use.

How long does the UV lamp last?

The UV Light in the Zuvo Purator is rated for 10,000 cycles. Zuvo believes this represents a 7-10 year life-cycle.

Can you replace the UV lamp if it burns out?

Yes. Replacement lamps are available at select retailers or www.zuvowater.com.

How much does a replacement lamp cost?

The MSRP of the Zuvo Replacement UV lamp is $79.99.

How do I dispose of a burned out Zuvo UV lamp?

As part of our company’s “green” practices, Zuvo sends a pre-paid shipping label with each replacement UV lamp sold. Simply send the old lamp back to us in the same box that the new one came in. Zuvo then disposes spent lamps according to state and federal statutes. See www.lamprecycle.org.

Is it safe to drink ozonated water?

The Zuvo Water Purator produces ozone as a secondary oxidant for treating water in the unit. That ozone is converted into oxygen by the carbon filter before the water is discharged from the unit, ensuring that you get only fresh tasting, oxygenated water from the system. Ozone is commonly used in this way during the process of treating commercially bottled water.

Will the UV lamp hurt my eyes or skin?

No. Under normal use, the UV energy from the lamp is absorbed by water in the Zuvo Purator and by the materials of the treatment chamber. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions when replacing the UV lamp.

Does your system remove arsenic from water?

No. Currently the Zuvo Water Purator is not rated for reduction of arsenic.

What is the micron rating or particle size removal of the carbon filter?

The carbon filter in the Zuvo Water Purator is rated at 1-2 microns nominal and in the Zuvo Water Purator it has been independently tested to NSF standards for the reduction of protozoan cysts such as giardia and cryptosporidium as well as Class I particulates.

Does the Zuvo Water Purator take out chlorine in the water?

Yes. The Zuvo Water Purator has been independently tested to the NSF 42 standard for the reduction of chlorine and is rated at 500 gallons per filter. The State of California Department of Public Health requires that this be made an “aesthetic” claim (for taste and odor only, meaning a minimum 50% reduction of chlorine for the stated capacity), because CA DPH does not consider chlorine to be a harmful chemical. In independent 3rd party testing, the Zuvo system actually reduced chlorine to less than 0.01mg/L (below the detection limit of the study) for the full 500 gal capacity of the carbon filter. That equates to removal of 99% of the chlorine in water.

Does your filter take out fluoride?

No. The Zuvo Water Purator does not reduce fluoride. Our company recognizes that there is legitimate debate about the subject of fluoridation of drinking water, but currently Zuvo does not offer a filter that reduces either naturally occurring or added levels of fluoride that meet EPA requirements for public water systems.

Does the Zuvo Water Purator take out lead in the water?

Yes. The Zuvo Water Purator has been independently tested to the NSF 53 standard for the reduction of lead and is rated at 500 gallons per filter.

Is your product NSF certified for sale in California?

Yes. The Zuvo Water Purator has met all requirements of the State of California Department of Public Health for drinking water treatment units and is listed as device number 02-1513. This includes demonstration that the device has been independently tested to NSF standards by an accredited, 3rd party laboratory for all NSF claims. Contrary to common belief, drinking water treatment units are not required to be “NSF certified” (i.e. tested by NSF itself), but they must be independently tested to the applicable NSF standards by an accredited, independently laboratory. Though the test standards bear the NSF name, NSF is just one of those accredited institutions.

Can the faucet be used without the water going through the Zuvo Water Purator?

Yes. If your Zuvo Water Purator is installed on the countertop and you use the diverter assembly with your faucet, you can run normal tap water through your faucet without using the Zuvo Purator.

Can I use the Zuvo Water Purator with my current under counter filtration system?

No. The Zuvo Water Purator is a stand-alone water treatment device. The company does not recommend using the Zuvo Purator with any other water treatment systems.

Does the Zuvo Water Purator work on untreated spring or well water?

No. The Zuvo Purator is intended solely for the supplemental treatment of disinfected public drinking water or other drinking water that has been tested and deemed acceptable for human consumption by the state or local health agency having jurisdiction.

Can I hook up the Zuvo Water Purator to my refrigerator ice maker?

No. At present the unique function of the Zuvo Water Purator precludes its use with refrigerator ice makers.

Will the Zuvo Water Purator work on hard water?

Yes, the Zuvo Purator works with hard water.

Is the Zuvo Water Purator a purifier or a filter? What’s the difference?

To be recognized as a water purifier, a drinking water treatment unit must meet strict requirements for the logarithmic reduction of infectious microorganisms including bacteria, viruses and cysts. Technically speaking, a water purifier must be able to treat water of unknown microbiological quality and, in that water, reduce bacteria by 99.9999% (6 logs), viruses by 99.99% (4 logs) and cysts by 99.9% (3 logs) according to a nationally recognized standard such as the EPA Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing Microbiological Water Purifiers or NSF P231. These very challenging tests set forth parameters that make the test water very challenging and within these protocols, there are additional requirements for the reduction of turbidity (cloudiness), and control of pH and conductivity among other variables. There are few point-of-use (POU) water treatment systems that meet these stringent requirements, so most commercially available drinking water treatment systems, including the Zuvo Water Purator, are water filters, not water purifiers.

Can I use another manufacturer’s faucet with the Zuvo Water Purator?

No. The Zuvo Water Purator is uniquely designed and uses specially adapted butler faucets which are only available from Zuvo. Faucets intended for Reverse Osmosis systems and direct flow-through systems will not work with the Zuvo Water Purator. The use of a non-Zuvo Butler Faucet may cause your Purator to leak.

Can I use a Zuvo Butler Faucet with another manufacturer’s water treatment system?

No. The Zuvo Water Butler Faucet is uniquely designed to be used exclusively with a Zuvo Water Purator. It uses uniquely designed connections which are not compatible with other water treatment systems brands.

How is Ozone generated in the Zuvo Purator?

The Zuvo Purator uses a “broad spectrum” UV lamp. In addition to visible light, the Zuvo Purator UV lamp emits shortwave UV energy across a band of wavelengths from 160 nanometers to 260 nanometers (hence the term “broad spectrum”). These two key UV wavelengths are fundamental to the Zuvo performance.

At 185 nanometers, UV energy breaks apart oxygen molecules in air. Because oxygen atoms are highly unstable, some of these recombine with other oxygen molecules to form ozone. Chemically, this is O + O₂ = O₃. This reaction takes place in the space between the UV lamp and the quartz sleeve in the Zuvo unit. The ozone is then siphoned through a tube attached to a Venturi (a simple device that creates a vacuum from a pressure differential) and infused into the inlet stream of water, where it creates the bubbles that swirl up in the Purator chamber. These bubbles are a combination of air and ozone in the gas phase. Some of the ozone is actually dissolved into the water through the Venturi and this is how the ozone has a direct oxidizing effect in the water. When the water containing dissolved ozone passes through the carbon filter, the ozone is “destroyed”, i.e. converted back to pure oxygen.

At 254 nanometers, UV energy has a germicidal effect, i.e. it disrupts the DNA in microorganisms, thereby inhibiting their ability to replicate. The Zuvo unit is tested to NSF 55B, the standard for UV reduction of non-pathogenic microorganisms. These are “bugs” in the water which can affect the taste, odor and aesthetic quality of water.

Finally, the Zuvo employs a process known as photolysis, in which powerful oxidizers known as hydroxyl radicals are produced when UV combines with ozone in the water. This results from the dissolved ozone in the water being bombarded with UV 254 energy as the water swirls up the chamber. So not only is there a direct supplemental germicidal effect from the UV 254 energy, but also there is an indirect effect from the creation of hydroxyls.

What's the benefit of all of this? Healthy, fresh-tasting, naturally treated water. Plus a maintenance-free filtration system that does not foul or allow biofilm to grow on the components that contact water. Biofilms are common with carbon based filters and can be a source of unpleasant tastes and odors.

Is the tubing used in the diverter assembly both BPA and Pthalate free?

Yes, the tubing is both BPA and Pthalate free. In addition, the Zuvo Water Purator has been tested and successfully passed the rigorous NSF 53 standard for toxicological extractions, meaning that the device does not impart any known harmful chemicals into the water.