About two years ago, we had what I called a mini revolution in our house. A life changing update to our daily life as a family. I wrote a blog post about it then, but today I would like to give you a little update. We consume a lot of water, we use to buy bottled water (1.5L and 50ml) and also have a dispenser in the kitchen with a scheduled weekly home delivery of gallons containers. This was our set up for years. As a Dubai family, we understand the importance of drinking the right amount of water in this climate. Not like back home in Sweden, tap water is not an option for me here in the UAE : “Tap water is completely safe to drink at the time of dispatch. But, the tanks must be cleaned systematically, at least once in six months, to ensure it is unpolluted. Commercial tanks are monitored by us, but not the residential ones,” said Bobby Krishna, Principal Food Studies Officer at Dubai Municipality at the time. With this in mind, we preferred to rely on bottled water until we were introduced to a high quality device, a filtered drinking water tap: The Zip Hydrotap. 

Let me tell you again why we have been relying, for over two years, on our Zip Water Tap for our water consumption and all the benefits for our family. Also excited to show you the updated, more designed version of the device, which is now fully incorporated into our new kitchen in our new home. 

Since its inception in Australia in 1962, Zip Water has been producing boiling water systems. Other the years the multinational company has evolved and now provides world class filtration technologies. The tap technology is now sold in 70 countries and provides great tasting, pure drinking water and instant boiling water. In the Middle East, Zip is sold exclusively by Culligan, also a world-renowned water treatment company.

Characteristics and functions

Zip filtration system is the solution for pure and crystal clear water, by removing chlorine and bacterial contaminants from your ordinary tap water. The single inbuilt-action-sub-micro water filter removes micro-organisms tiny as one thousandth a millimetre. Zip Hydrotap system has a NSF certification, a public health and safety organization which provides third-party certification to ensure the product complies with the technical requirements of the relevant standard. The Zip 0.2 micron filter is one of the most advanced and most practical filtration system available anywhere today. This advanced process produces crystal-clear and pure tasting water, free from odours and contamination; ensuring water in its healthiest form.

Zip Hydrotap offers different water options. You can pick a tap that delivers filtered chilled water only or choose to have chilled, boiling and sparkling water all at the touch of a button. We decided that our home would benefit from all options. It’s convenient to refill school water bottles, use the boiling water for instant coffee or tea, enjoy sparkling water at dinner time or prepare refreshing lemon concoctions throughout the day. I also tend to use it while cooking. It's so convenient! The chilled water is set at 3-5ºC, while hot water is set at 98ºC and there is a child lock security.

There are also many technical benefits, from the power-pulse energy saving technology and adjustable water temperature function,  to the sleeping function when inactive and programmable timer. Love that the water is instantly dispensed at the set temperature, no longer any need to waste water running from the tap while waiting for it to be at the correct temperature. No more water wastage. Zip’s intelligent technology makes the Zip HydroTap supremely efficient. It saves on power, energy and water wastage, meaning it’s good for people and the planet.

Cost and environmentally friendly

Zip filtered water will be cost effective, a much cheaper solution then bottled water. The bottled water market is exploding in the Middle East. Did you know that bottled water can cost up to 124 times more than filtered water? The bottle, cap and label amount for 90% of the total price of mineral water. We should also rethink bottled water from an environmental point of view. Even if water bottled are made of completely recyclable polyethylene (PET) plastics, but PET's don't biodegrade. They photodegrade, which means they break down into smaller fragments over time. Those fragments absorb toxins that can pollute our waterways, soils and eventually our food... There is also a Carbon Footprint to consider, with the delivery and manufacturing of bottled water.

Stylish design

The Zip Hydrotap is well designed and offers different styles to suit your kitchen from Classic, Cube, Arc and Elite all available in different finishes. You will find the one for you. It will become a stylish highlight in your kitchen. We decided to update from the practical “Classic design” installed onto the kitchen sink to a standalone “Arc design” in rose gold to be fully incorporated into our new kitchen. The “Arc design “ is fixed in position, with rubberized illuminated touch buttons on the side and a smooth rotating tap. The upper button scrolls through the three dispensing modes with accompanying colours: blue is the default and signifies it will dispense chilled water; white indicates chilled sparkling water; red is for boiling water.

Installation

The Culligan team proceeded to the installation in a day and were very professional. You need to keep in mind to plan a space to “host” the device under the counter. It took up half a double-width cupboard for all the required parts (boiler/chiller unit, cartridge filter, CO2 canister for sparkling water, …) but it’s all neatly put together under the cupboard. It might also require, a cut-out and vent installation in the floor of the cupboard to ventilate the chiller mechanism. I fully trusted the team and the customer care service. Keep in mind that you will need to replace filters and canisters ( we do it about every 5/6 months).

The lowdown… our verdict…

We were very happy to collaborate with Zip and Culligan water, to experience all the benefits of our Zip Hydrotap. We genuinely could not be more grateful for this addition to our family home and I truly love the product.

It is frankly amazing, since it turns mains supply into the great tasting mineral water. I have noticed a better flavour and taste to my cup of tea while my husband loves the refreshing sparkling water as an alternative to plain H2O.

It works well, require minimum maintenance and looks great in the kitchen. It’s a premium kitchen appliance that also comes with a price tag. The Zip Hydrotap is expensive but you truly get what you pay for. The design and quality is said to make the Zip Hydrotap the very best multi-function boiler tap on the market. We are totally addicted to it’s convenience and love how we have reduce our consumption of plastic bottles.

The price range varies greatly from the design and Hydrotap system you choose.

For all details check out: zipwater.ae or call +971 (0)4 803 9900