Culligan ZeroWater Pitcher Review

Culligan ZeroWater Pitcher Review

Water Filter Guru's Brian Campbell published a data-driven analysis of Culligan's new ZeroWater pitcher line, giving it a 9.33 overall score after extensive lab testing. The pitcher removed 100% of all metals, minerals, and inorganics from Campbell's Colorado water, including uranium and fluoride that exceeded health guidelines, plus completely eliminated 2 PPM of chlorine. The system uses three filter media: ion exchange resin for TDS removal, KDF for heavy metals and chlorine, and activated carbon for organics and taste. Campbell notes the pitcher's strength is also its weakness: the complete mineral removal drops TDS by 96% and makes water slightly acidic with a pH of 6.6, which some customers might not appreciate. The review highlights high maintenance costs at $0.90 per gallon, making it the most expensive countertop filter Campbell has tested, with filters lasting just 20 gallons before replacement.

Chemical-Free

R2J Chemical Services published a comprehensive guide on non-chemical methods that explains the growing demand for sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical-based systems. The industrial water treatment company explains that chemical treatments create unintended problems including corrosion from continuous exposure, bacteria adaptation that reduces effectiveness, environmental discharge concerns, and higher energy costs. The guide breaks down four main alternative approaches: physical filtration using sand, sediment, and membrane filters to remove particles and minerals; reverse osmosis systems that force water through membranes to remove chemicals and salts; UV light and ozone disinfection that disrupt DNA and oxidize pathogens without chemicals; and mechanical solutions like water softeners and electronic descaling devices for hard water management.

Reusable Clamps for Repeat Access (Sponsored)

Need to access DI tanks, portable carts, or RO lines regularly? Specialty Sales LLC & AM Products stocks Nyglass EZ-Seal Clamps (also called Herbie Clamps)—reusable clamps with a pinch tooth design that lets you secure and remove them multiple times without cutting anything off.

What They Offer:

• 🔄 Reusable Design: Push down to seal, twist off to remove

• 💪 Glass-Filled or Regular Nylon: Different options for strength vs. flexibility

• 📏 Sizes 1/4" to 2 3/8": Covers most hose and tubing applications

• 🎨 Custom Colors Available: For color-coding systems (minimum order required)

Check out the team’s full blog post here, or watch Darrin walk through how these clamps work (2 min. watch):

Need help finding the right size? Contact Specialty Sales by clicking here or reply to this email and we'll get you connected.

Mildew Smell in Tap Water

Pennsylvania-based Dierolf Plumbing and Water Treatment published a helpful guide after several local residents reported musty or mildew smells in their tap water. In their guide, the team breaks down four main causes in order of frequency: organic material in the water source from seasonal algae or plant breakdown, bacterial growth in water heaters set below 120°F, biofilm buildup in faucets and aerators, and stagnant water in low-use plumbing. Dierolf provides practical diagnostic steps for homeowners, like running cold water for 1-2 minutes to test if the smell persists away from the sink, checking if odors only occur with hot water, and cleaning aerators with vinegar to eliminate biofilm. The company emphasizes that musty odors don't automatically indicate health risks but are worth investigating when multiple households report similar issues simultaneously.

SurvivalBlog’s Water Treatment Basics

SurvivalBlog, a survival and emergency preparedness blog, published an updated guide on water sources and treatment methods for off-grid and emergency situations. Author Rawles advocates for gravity-fed spring water as the ideal rural setup, noting you get about 0.5 pounds of pressure per foot of elevation and recommending at least 1-inch diameter lines to reduce friction loss over distance. For well systems, he suggests solar-powered pumps with large cisterns positioned 35-60 feet above the house to provide gravity flow without battery storage. The guide highlights UV sterilization as a growing technology, explaining that UV rays alter the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and parasites so they can't reproduce rather than killing them outright. For open water sources, he recommends a three-step process: pre-filtering through cloth to remove particles, chlorinating to kill bacteria, and final filtering through large Katadyn or Berkefeld systems.

What else is happening:

• Some 60,000 NJ residents are set to receive $4.9M from the settlement for PFAS contamination in drinking water

• Wisconsin-based Complete Water Solutions announces the completion of their new building expansion for increased warehouse capacity

• The official Culligan blog writes about the best shower water filter (spoiler: there isn’t one)

• Pristine Water Softeners reveals what they consider are the secrets of the best water softener systems

• Glacier Fresh, the “Innovative Guardian of Healthy Water”, explains DIY water testing and how to test water quality in 4 steps