PRODUCT SUPPORT – FAQs
Company Background, Patents & Certifications
Q. When was ZeroWater® developed?
A. The filter was developed in the early 1990's.
Q. Is ZeroWater® patented?
A. As of 2008, ZeroWater® holds 4 patents regarding our filters with additional patents pending.
Q. Is ZeroWater® certified?
A. The ZeroWater® Pitcher and filters are certified by NSF International and the Water Quality Association. Click here for a list of our certifications.
Filtration Technology & Filter Life
Q. What makes ZeroWater® products different?
A. ZeroWater® is the best tasting water because of the 5 stage process to filter tap water.
Q. What does the filter reduce/clean?
A. ZeroWater® filters have multiple components designed to provide very comprehensive filtration. Click here for a list of our certifications.
Q. Will the system remove bacteria?
A. This feature is not available in the current model although it is part of our patents. The current system is meant to be used with municipally treated, potable water as the current filter will not remove microbiological contaminants.
Q. How long will the filters last?
A. Each filter is certified to clean 22.5 gallons of water.
Q. How do I know when to change the filters?
A. When the TDS meter reads “006”, the filters should be changed. It is strongly recommended that the reading not go past that point.
Q. Can there be bacteria growing inside the filter?
A. The ZeroWater® system contains specific materials which inhibit the growth of bacteria within the cartridge. Most carbon filters are a great source of food for bacteria. As a good manufacturing process, ZeroWater® filters contain KDF, which is a bacteriostatic medium registered by the EPA. “Bacteriostatic” refers to materials that inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria.
Q. What are the filters made from/what type of technology is used?
A. ZeroWater® filters have a proprietary mixture of resins and carbons.
Q. What type of plastic is used?
A. Food grade AS and ABS plastics.
Q. Does ZeroWater® use bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic manufacturing?
A. Bisphenol A (BPA) is most commonly found in polycarbonate (PC) or #7 plastics. The ZeroWater® Pitcher, Bottle, and Filters use AS or ABS instead of PC.
Q. Do your filters remove pharmaceuticals from tap water?
A. The testing authorities have not established protocols to evaluate how to measure if a filter removes pharmaceuticals from water. However, our filters contain activated carbon, which is designed to treat organic substances such as the active ingredients in many pharmaceuticals.
Q. Are ZeroWater® filters recyclable?
A. Zero Technologies, LLC is proud to announce that they are starting a recycling program, which is the only one in the U.S. among leading pitcher manufacturers. For more information on how you can participate in this program, click here.
Q. How do I know ZeroWater® plastics won't leach into the water?
A. Before getting certified for the reduction of any substance, our products were submerged in water for several days. This water was tested for hundreds of chemicals. If any chemical had been above the allowable level, the product would not have been certified.
Q. My filters are emitting a strong odor. Why is that?
A. Test the water that has run through the filter. Most likely it will read higher than “006”, which indicates it's time to replace your filter.
TDS Meter Technology
Q. What does the TDS meter do?
A. The TDS meter helps put a number on what your taste buds already tell about what's in water. The higher the reading on the water, the more things dissolved in water.
Q. How to use the TDS meter?
A. It's easy! Push the “on” button, remove the cap and place about an inch deep into the water. Wait for the numbers to stabilize, then push the “hold” button. Remove the meter from the water and see the reading.
Q. What do the numbers mean? Does a reading of 000 tell me that there is nothing in the water?
A. The meter is showing the total number of detectable dissolved solids.
Q. Why is the TDS meter important?
A. The tester empowers one to quickly evaluate the general quality of water whether it's bottled, tap, filtered, etc. If the number of your filtered water is above 006, it's time to replace your filters.
Water Platforms/Competing Technology
Q. Isn't my water already filtered at the plant? Or "I've been drinking tap water this long and it hasn't killed me yet! Why do I need ZeroWater®?"
A. Even if a municipality were able to clean water to the extent that ZeroWater® does, the water can pick up chemicals on its way from the treatment plant to the faucet, which gives tap water that typical taste. ZeroWater® tastes crisp and refreshing.
Q. What about bottled or spring water?
I always thought that was so pure and healthy. A. While there are some regulations in the bottled water industry, some water is simply repackaged tap water that comes right from the faucet.
Q. I get bottled water delivered for my cooler. I don't need ZeroWater®.
A. With ZeroWater®, water is available whenever it's needed, instead of scheduling a delivery. The ZeroWater® Filter Bottle eliminates the aggravation of flipping and storing heavy bottles.
Q. I have well water. Do I need your system?
A. If you have well water, it is the owner's responsibility to have the well inspected and tested for a variety of substances including microbiological contaminants. Once the well has been approved for drinking, ZeroWater® works with well water the same way it does with any other tap water.
Q. How do ZeroWater® filters compare to other popular filters?
A. People often say that ZeroWater® is the best that they've ever tasted. That great taste is a result of a comprehensive 5 stage filtration process. Most other systems have fewer stages.
Q. How does a ZeroWater® system differ from Reverse Osmosis?
A. ZeroWater® systems don't waste any water and operate based on gravity. In addition, they do not need to be installed into your plumbing.
Q. How does ZeroWater® compare to distilled water?
A. People usually say that distilled water can taste flat whereas ZeroWater® is described as crisp and refreshing. Distillation also requires electricity and takes hours to treat water.
Q. How is ZeroWater® different than water from a “softener”?
A. Water softening systems add salt to water to avoid calcium buildup and allow soaps to lather better. They are not meant to improve the taste of drinking water.
Warranty/Return Policy
Q. What's the warranty on the system?
A. Zero Technologies, LLC warrants to the consumer for the period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase, the ZeroWater® Filter Bottle or the ZeroWater® Pitcher (except for the filter cartridge which is warranted for 30 days) against all defects in materials and workmanship, when used in compliance with the Owner's Manual. During this 90-day period, if you discover that any parts of the ZeroWater® Filter Bottle or ZeroWater® Pitcher are damaged or broken, due to any manufacturing defects, we will replace the parts free of charge by calling 1-800-503-2939 in the United States. The warrantor assumes no responsibility for incidental or consequential damages; for damages arising out of misuse of the product or the use of any unauthorized attachment. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. To the extent permitted by local law, this warranty is in lieu of any other warranty, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness and precludes any other obligation on the part of the manufacturer, distributor or dealer, including any liability for special, incidental or consequential damages. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state in the US. Should service be required or you have any questions regarding how to use your ZeroWater® product, please call Customer Service toll free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-503-2939,
Q. Is the TDS meter covered by a warranty? How long does it last?
A. Zero Technologies, LLC warrants to the consumer for the period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase, the TDS Meter against all defects in materials and workmanship, when used in compliance with the Owner's Manual. During this 90-day period, if you discover that any parts of the TDS Meter are damaged or broken, due to any manufacturing defects, we will replace the parts free of charge by calling 1-800-503-2939 in the United States. The warrantor assumes no responsibility for incidental or consequential damages; for damages arising out of misuse of the product or the use of any unauthorized attachment. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. To the extent permitted by local law, this warranty is in lieu of any other warranty, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness and precludes any other obligation on the part of the manufacturer, distributor or dealer, including any liability for special, incidental or consequential damages. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state in US. Should service be required or you have any questions regarding how to use your ZeroWater® product, please call Customer Service toll free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-503-2939.