It's cool tech, but the whole thing is being presented as VC bait. It's just badly solving a problem that's already been solved. Is there really the expectation that every person will have this...
It's cool tech, but the whole thing is being presented as VC bait. It's just badly solving a problem that's already been solved. Is there really the expectation that every person will have this device on hand that will regularly test water for a single risk factor. Like they did 600 tests and hit six positives. What about microbiology or other heavy metals or microplastics or mold or the long list of other things that can go wrong in water.
On its own you might be able to package it as a high level test kit for inspectors or plumbers. But even then, it's still beaten out by multi-block test strips that don't need specialized hardware and an app. I think Lead is an yellow to purple strip and if there is even a sliver of what might be a color change, that water is going to a lab. If any strip it out of the normal, its going to a lab. And the one water lab I worked in started with test strips (specifically the colored chemicals used to make them) just to get a general idea of the sample. It's a pretty good chemical solution that doesn't really need to be replaced with a one trick digital solution.
Tap and groundwater tests should really be part of moving if the water quality is in question. Its a once off cost that cant be more than $100 and you'll get a full list of all the things that need to be addressed in the water. Specialized services will even recommend the exact filters and treatment needed to bring it back in line. Or, you could just get a very good RO filter with a mineral injector and you've gotten out most lead, pfas, microbio and other gunk that could be in there.
100%. Although I personally prefer the whole-home solutions, because the RO I've found is too low-flow for anything other than sinks or fridges. A good whole-home will have a few filters and...
100%. Although I personally prefer the whole-home solutions, because the RO I've found is too low-flow for anything other than sinks or fridges.
A good whole-home will have a few filters and housings you replace/clean respectively 1-2 times a year and will protect all of your stuff from everything. It's nice being able to just drink from the garden hose after a quick flush and it tasting as good as bottled water.
Why not both? On my whole house I have 30 micron and 5 micron particulate filters, water softener, and UV filter, then additionally I have a RO tap next to the kitchen sink for drinking water.
Why not both? On my whole house I have 30 micron and 5 micron particulate filters, water softener, and UV filter, then additionally I have a RO tap next to the kitchen sink for drinking water.
Yeah, the headline is a bit exaggerated (it’s research, not a product you can buy) and I agree that most people wouldn’t buy one. There are lots of handy gadgets at Home Depot, though, and perhaps...
Yeah, the headline is a bit exaggerated (it’s research, not a product you can buy) and I agree that most people wouldn’t buy one. There are lots of handy gadgets at Home Depot, though, and perhaps this functionality could be combined with others in some kind of multitool?
Would it be a good idea to test water quality more often than when you move, in case of transient conditions?
It's cool tech, but the whole thing is being presented as VC bait. It's just badly solving a problem that's already been solved. Is there really the expectation that every person will have this device on hand that will regularly test water for a single risk factor. Like they did 600 tests and hit six positives. What about microbiology or other heavy metals or microplastics or mold or the long list of other things that can go wrong in water.
On its own you might be able to package it as a high level test kit for inspectors or plumbers. But even then, it's still beaten out by multi-block test strips that don't need specialized hardware and an app. I think Lead is an yellow to purple strip and if there is even a sliver of what might be a color change, that water is going to a lab. If any strip it out of the normal, its going to a lab. And the one water lab I worked in started with test strips (specifically the colored chemicals used to make them) just to get a general idea of the sample. It's a pretty good chemical solution that doesn't really need to be replaced with a one trick digital solution.
Tap and groundwater tests should really be part of moving if the water quality is in question. Its a once off cost that cant be more than $100 and you'll get a full list of all the things that need to be addressed in the water. Specialized services will even recommend the exact filters and treatment needed to bring it back in line. Or, you could just get a very good RO filter with a mineral injector and you've gotten out most lead, pfas, microbio and other gunk that could be in there.
100%. Although I personally prefer the whole-home solutions, because the RO I've found is too low-flow for anything other than sinks or fridges.
A good whole-home will have a few filters and housings you replace/clean respectively 1-2 times a year and will protect all of your stuff from everything. It's nice being able to just drink from the garden hose after a quick flush and it tasting as good as bottled water.
Why not both? On my whole house I have 30 micron and 5 micron particulate filters, water softener, and UV filter, then additionally I have a RO tap next to the kitchen sink for drinking water.
Yeah, the headline is a bit exaggerated (it’s research, not a product you can buy) and I agree that most people wouldn’t buy one. There are lots of handy gadgets at Home Depot, though, and perhaps this functionality could be combined with others in some kind of multitool?
Would it be a good idea to test water quality more often than when you move, in case of transient conditions?