Key Takeaways
- Don’t assume all water filters work the same way.
- Understand what contaminants your own filter is designed to reduce.
- Be careful with demonstrations or health claims that sound too good to be true.
- Look at independent testing and certification when evaluating filtration claims.
- Do your own due diligence before deciding what is suitable for your family.
Water Water Everywhere, But Not a Drop to Drink
Water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink.
Strange title, isn’t it?
I can’t even remember where I heard that phrase. But every time I hear people talking about water at a kopitiam over kopi C kosong, that’s exactly what comes to my mind.
Malaysia water ok one, being drinking few decades already la, mah like this… some old folks always commented.
This is what I hear since young, and I bought in to the idea. Growing up I was never bother whether the water that comes out from our tap is clean or dirty – taking for granted its clean. I believe it happens to you too until perhaps after millennial, people start to have more awareness from gov campaigns striving to create awareness among the population about the risk of consuming unhealthy water.
My First Experience With Water Filters
it was back in year 2004 when an ex-colleague sort of invested into a simple version of a water filter. Those filters are indeed simple, where most of them consist of only some mesh membrane filtering off bigger particles separating themselves from more premium filters that consist different layers of filtration medium such as mesh, fine sand, activated carbon, pebbles, and perhaps another layer of mesh.
Any household that has such filters are already considered more well to do. till today these filters still exist and many of them has dominated part of the garden (if they have one) or else you might find one in the wet kitchen of a condo unit.
Back to my ex-colleague, he eventually persuaded me to join him in marketing the filters to homes when we were only equip with a chlorine tester. How naïve can we be back then.
The Water Filter Demonstration That Made Me Think Again
Fast forward to year around 2013. This will be a funny story. I was in Mid Valley shopping Centre and walking pass a water filter booth after finishing my workout in the gym. Then the promoter stops me and began her pitch into why the water from this filter is beneficial to our body.
One of the benefits actually come with a demo – showing you how the water actually ‘breaks-up’ the oil molecule (in the cup of course) thus explaining to you that imagine this is happening in your body, oil/fats will leave your body just like that.
Ok, honestly, I’m convinced. I remembered thinking to myself, “Wah this thing is amazing. Imagine all the fats in my body getting washed away just like that.”
Continued with some small talk with that lady and there came a contradicting surprise. She asked “wow, are you a gym trainer? You truly have a nice built. Eh I want to slim down leh, give me some tips la.”
Guys, you must have guessed my answer by now….
“Err, just buy this filter la, you mentioned how it helps breaks down fats in our body right”.
“Ohh, it doesn’t work this way “she replied.
OMG, I didn’t look forward for an answer I could accept but deep in me I was like “goodness me, what kind of a presentation is this.” You just did a demo showing how water from this filter breaks down fats !! but now it doesn’t work that way?? Lucky I didn’t buy it on the spot.
What I Started Learning About Water Filtration
Over the next few years, I started reading more about water filtration. The more I learnt, the more I realised…. That demonstration had absolutely nothing to do with what happens inside our body.
Why I Eventually Had a Water Filter at Home
The 1st water filter that landed in my house was when the birth of my 1st child. I really need a filter that dispense hot/cold water on demand so that I can prepare her milk easily. By the way, I’m the nanny for both my kid.
I’m very contended in the water filter I bought or leased. It’s easy to use and I (thought) I have clean water until one fine day when I was coaching my seniors, and the daughter spoke to me.
She asked if I have a filter at home. Yes, was my answer and she continued asking some questions i.e. like why you even want a filter at home? are you sure it is filtering most of the contaminants in the water etc.
What Caught My Attention About eSpring
After speaking to her and doing my own homework, these were the things that really caught my attention.
- The unit she proposed to me is known as Espring. A product of Amway.
- Pricing wise I’m convinced it’s more expensive or rather you must fork out more initial but in the long run its cheaper.
- It can filter away more then 170 containments in the water, yet with their patented technology, it preserves the minerals in the water. (That got me thinking. I always assumed removing everything was the best, apparently, it wasn’t that simple)
- Another important question from her – do you know it not that costly to produce cold/hot water dispenser and yet Amway did not produce them to compete with others in the market? Simply because you need a tank if you want to dispense cold water – and that the tank will be contaminated after a while of holding water. Just like if you were to fill water into a tumbler for days without washing it, you will feel slim on the inner wall.
- It filters away microplastic. This is big for me. An interesting question – do you know how much of microplastic we consume in a month? You go do your research!
- It has an app that tells you the consumption of daily water from the filter and when its time to change the filter or UV.
- All claims are verified / certified by international bodies like NSF. I’m not the type who believes every sales pitch, so I spent quite a bit of time reading what NSF actually is before I accepted that claim.
I urge you to do your due diligence on your own unit.
Making the Decision for My Family
I have another hurdle I told her – “I’m still paying for that unit of mine at home, and there will be a penalty if I were to cancel the contract! “
My wife was all for a new Espring water filter and insist on good healthy clean water for the kids – painful?
Absolutely. I had to pay a penalty to terminate my previous contract and fork out a few thousand Ringgit for a new filter.
Looking Back Today
Looking back today….
I have no regrets.
“RM1.50 for a cup of iced Chinese tea. Times have really changed. 😅 Funny thing is… these days, I no longer just think about the price. I find myself wondering whether the water used is free from contaminants. 😂”
FAQ Some Question You Might Need to Know
How do I know what a water filter really removes and whether its claims are verified?
Don’t rely solely on a salesperson. Understand exactly which contaminants your filter is designed to reduce, how the filtration stages work, and whether the claims are supported by independent testing or certification.
What should I look for when evaluating water filter demonstrations or claims that sound too good to be true?
Be cautious of demonstrations that promise dramatic body effects; focus on how the filter works, what it actually removes, and verify the claims with independent testing or certification rather than the salesperson’s presentation.
Why is it important to know the specific contaminants your filter targets?
Different filters remove different contaminants, so knowing what your unit reduces helps ensure it meets your family’s needs and prevents assuming all filters are equivalent.
How can I verify a water filter’s claims and certifications?
Check for independent certifications from credible bodies such as NSF, read the testing results, and research what those certifications cover instead of accepting marketing statements at face value.
What factors should I consider when deciding to replace or upgrade a water filter for my family?
Consider the long-term cost, the range of contaminants removed, whether minerals are preserved, ease of use, maintenance needs, and whether the claims align with independent verifications and your family’s water needs.