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Compostable all-natural water filters

kickstarter.com

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Re: Compostable all-natural water filters

#41

Post by theevocater »

DareOlonoh wrote: post #23

Seems like a great product and business model. I ditched my Brita filter for bottled water a couple years ago because of the black dots. It was embarrassing to pour water for people when there were black dots floating in it. Might have to switch back to a filter now.

the black dots are just activated carbon (the filter) that escapes after the filter starts to break down. What is wrong with your tap water that you feel you can't drink it? I only filter mine because the water near me comes out with a pretty gross taste.

Re: Compostable all-natural water filters

#42

Post by lucian1900 »

revelation wrote: post #11

What exactly is filtered by this? In Germany, water from the tap is commonly found to be cleaner than the stuff you can buy in plastic bottles. The only application that comes to mind would be regulating water hardness.

In (some parts of?) London, water is particularly hard. A filter makes it not taste of dust and prevents stupid dust spots on container. Some other places have chlorine-tasting water.

For anything else? A filter is pretty much useless.

Re: Compostable all-natural water filters

#43

Post by 001sky »

zachallia wrote: post #22
nostromo wrote: post #20

I wish they'd show someone using it. How big is it? Seems like it's about the size of a gallon jug. Maybe bigger. The hourglass shape, unlike a traditional filter, wastes a lot of fridge space. Do I have to remove the filter to pour? That would be a deal-breaker for me. If not, is it spout directional, or can I pour at any angle? Pouring from of a top-heavy hourglass could be awkward. Especially if it's weighted down…

It's smaller than in the video. We had to use an early prototype there to have the video ready in time. It's designed to fit nicely even in small hands. You do not have to remove the filter to pour, there is a spout that is hidden but runs up the side. I'll make sure we get some pictures of the pitcher from angles that you can see the spout / lid.

Main Q is Can it fit on a d00r-shelf like a 1/2 gal milk? That's probably the once critical size constraint, IMHO. Without it, you are limited where you can put it (as well as taking up extra space). This is something I personally check for every pitcher/flask i get.

Re: Compostable all-natural water filters

#45

Post by mixmastamyk »

Have seen a few comments about US water quality. It may be good in general, but the water here in Los Angeles is horrible (though sterile?). I grew up in Ventura County and never thought twice about tap water (and laughed at others too) until I moved here.

Part of it is LA's fault, they use so much chlorine it smells like you're drinking from a jacuzzi. Even after letting it sit for a day or two for the chlorine/ozone to dissipate, it still tastes bad in a similar way. I'm not sure what the other minerals/contaminants are. Finally, our current building is old and we get red rusty water first thing in the morning once a week or so.

So yes, we filter our water before drinking, pretentious or not. We have a PUR 3-stage attached to the sink, and it costs a bit more than I'd like, but honestly ~10 bucks a month is nothing compared to the night/day improvement we get from it. I hope the claims about removing heavy metals are true for my daughter's sake.

Re: Compostable all-natural water filters

#46

Post by dljsjr »

mixmastamyk wrote: post #45

Have seen a few comments about US water quality. It may be good in general, but the water here in Los Angeles is horrible (though sterile?). I grew up in Ventura County and never thought twice about tap water (and laughed at others too) until I moved here. Part of it is LA's fault, they use so much chlorine it smells like you're drinking from a jacuzzi. Even after letting it sit for a day or two for the chlorine/ozon…

Yeah. A lot of people are up in arms about the fact that this might only mask taste, since it's nothing more than carbon-based filtration.

Personally, I live in Escambia County, Florida... home of the worst water in the country, ranked. I don't know a single person that lives here who doesn't own a Brita filter because our water is nearly unpalatable. You will actually get strange looks if a local sees you drinking the tap water. And yes, I realize that the fact it is palatable at all puts us in a much better position than a great deal of the world. But why is it a crime for me to want my water to not taste like utter shit?

I can understand the general dismay at the strength of the claims being made. But don't dump all over the product because it's "just" a fancy Brita filter. It looks great, it makes the water taste better, and compostable isn't a terrible sell either.

Re: Compostable all-natural water filters

#47

Post by ekianjo »

mixmastamyk wrote: post #45

Have seen a few comments about US water quality. It may be good in general, but the water here in Los Angeles is horrible (though sterile?). I grew up in Ventura County and never thought twice about tap water (and laughed at others too) until I moved here. Part of it is LA's fault, they use so much chlorine it smells like you're drinking from a jacuzzi. Even after letting it sit for a day or two for the chlorine/ozon…

Have you considered buying 20L water tanks from fresh sources as well? I guess that is probably the most expensive option but it might be the "safest" since they probably test the water thoroughly before shipping it.

Re: Compostable all-natural water filters

#48

Post by ekianjo »

CJefferson wrote: post #7

Nice idea, but I dislike claims like: Soma's proprietary formula produces the best tasting water. You'll notice a crisp, pure taste you won't find anywhere else. Really? While I appreciate water filtering, I want some real evidence that this water filter is considerably better than any other water filter on the market.

Good idea. Like testing water from two indistinguishable cups and A/B and B/A fashion. That kind of data is easy to produce and can be used as a sales pitch.

Re: Compostable all-natural water filters

#49

Post by mixmastamyk »

ekianjo wrote: post #47
mixmastamyk wrote: post #45

Have seen a few comments about US water quality. It may be good in general, but the water here in Los Angeles is horrible (though sterile?). I grew up in Ventura County and never thought twice about tap water (and laughed at others too) until I moved here. Part of it is LA's fault, they use so much chlorine it smells like you're drinking from a jacuzzi. Even after letting it sit for a day or two for the chlorine/ozon…

Have you considered buying 20L water tanks from fresh sources as well? I guess that is probably the most expensive option but it might be the "safest" since they probably test the water thoroughly before shipping it.

I did schlep the 5/2.5 gallons around for a year or two, objecting to the upfront cost of the filter, but once I gave in I quickly regretted taking so long.

Fresh sources sounds nice, but I'm lazy at heart. The alternative, having it delivered while living on a water planet (a stones throw from the Pacific) just seems too environmentally hostile.

Re: Compostable all-natural water filters

#50

Post by sparebytes »

zachallia wrote: post #22
nostromo wrote: post #20

I wish they'd show someone using it. How big is it? Seems like it's about the size of a gallon jug. Maybe bigger. The hourglass shape, unlike a traditional filter, wastes a lot of fridge space. Do I have to remove the filter to pour? That would be a deal-breaker for me. If not, is it spout directional, or can I pour at any angle? Pouring from of a top-heavy hourglass could be awkward. Especially if it's weighted down…

It's smaller than in the video. We had to use an early prototype there to have the video ready in time. It's designed to fit nicely even in small hands. You do not have to remove the filter to pour, there is a spout that is hidden but runs up the side. I'll make sure we get some pictures of the pitcher from angles that you can see the spout / lid.

I can't help but wonder why ya'll didn't show pouring from it.
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