HUL Pureit Eco Water Saver RO Water Purifier Review

HUL Pureit Eco water saver is one of the best-selling RO water purifiers in India. With 10 litre capacity, it is one of the largest too. Let us explore in detail it’s pros, cons, filtration system, design, features and more through this hands-on review.

Filtration System

The water purifier, as mentioned uses RO membrane to get rid of TDS ( total dissolved salts). Hence, it is suitable for homes which have borewell or tanker water supply, which usually have high TDS and chances of water contamination due to excessive sulphates, carbonates, nitrates, fluorides etc.  In the Pureit Eco Water Saver water purifier, water first passes through an external sediment filter.

Comparatively, this filter is larger than what you get from Eureka Forbes and Kent. And the best part, it comes free with the water purifier, while with other brands, it costs around Rs. 1000-1500 extra.  The sediment filter removes large suspended particles like dust, sand and other debris. If water supply at your home is inconsistent, the sediment filter plays an especially useful role in preventing the settled sand and debris in the main water tank from entering into the water purifier.

Next, it passes through a carbon filter. Here, any odour from chlorine or any other volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) like industrial solvents, benzene etc are absorbed by activated carbon filter. 

Further, water passes through the main RO membrane. This removes any dissolved solids like carbonates, calcium, magnesium, fluoride, nitrates, sulphates and more.  The significance of RO membrane is that it is the only viable option at domestic level to remove TDS. According to ISI standards, water with TDS of up to 500 ppm is acceptable. But then, if any of the harmful contaminants are higher than acceptable levels, then even water with TDS less than 500 cannot be considered potable. For example, if fluorides are more than 1 ppm or nitrates or fluorides are higher than 45 ppm, then, you shouldn’t use the water without RO purification even if the total TDS is less than 500.

Ideally, you should test the water to understand the composition and decide whether to use RO or not. But then, if you have tanker supply, water source may vary. In such cases, it is safer to use RO if the TDS is high. After RO purification, the TDS of water would be extremely low. Sometimes close to zero. Such water shouldn’t be consumed as excessive consumption can throw off  electrolyte balance of your body. So, RO water purifiers water come with some system to increase the TDS to an acceptable level.

In Pureit Eco Water Saver, water is passed through a mineral cartridge which leaches calcium and magnesium in desired levels into the water. This, right level of TDS is maintained in the water.

After passing through mineral cartridge, water then enters a UV chamber. If in case any pathogens are left in the water even after it has passed through RO membrane ( which is a rare chance), then the UV rays will deactivate these pathogens and ensure water has no living contaminants.

The final stage is a MF membrane which manufactures claim is for ensuring once more that the water is clear. However, this isn’t really a necessity in this water purifier. MF membranes are a necessity only if the water purifier uses MTDS ( manual TDS controller). In such water purifiers, raw water is mixed with RO water for increasing TDS to acceptable level. Also, note that pore size of MF membrane is larger than UF. While HUL Pureit uses MF, brands like Eureka Forbes and Kent uses UF, which is better.

The sediment filter has lifecycle to purify up to 2000 litres of water, while other membranes last for 6000 litres. Replacement costs around Rs. 4500.

Related reading: Ultimate Guide On How To Choose A Water Purifier?

Design

The Pureit Eco Water Saver water purifier comes in an elegant black finish; however, it tends to attract smudges and fingerprints.

This purifier features three indicators: one to signal when the tank is full, another to alert you when it’s time to change the sediment filter, and a third to indicate the need for RO membrane replacement. There’s also a helpline alert for technical issues that require a technician’s assistance.

In contrast to models from Eureka Forbes, Kent, and others, the Pureit Eco Water Saver’s 10-liter water tank isn’t easily accessible for user maintenance. Cleaning the tank with lime, especially after extended periods of non-use, such as during vacations, isn’t possible without technician intervention. Before going on vacation, you’ll need to drain the water, close the valve, and switch off the water purifier. If you detect an unusual taste or believe the tank needs cleaning, you’ll have to contact a technician for assistance.

Performance

When assessing the performance of a water purifier, we often consider various factors such as water wastage, tank filling time, and TDS levels. During our evaluation, the input TDS was approximately 650.

The Pureit Eco Water Saver features a generously sized tank with a capacity exceeding 10 liters. Consequently, it takes approximately 45 minutes to fill this tank. Impressively, it only wasted around 12 liters of water to fill the 10-liter tank, which is notably lower than what you might observe with other water purifiers. It’s worth noting that the extent of water wastage can vary depending on the initial TDS level of the water source; higher TDS levels may result in greater wastage.

The purified water from this system had a TDS reading of 45 ppm, and notably, it had a pleasant, sweet taste.

Whom Is It Suitable For?

The Pureit Eco Water Saver is an ideal option for households with four or more members requiring a sizable water tank. If you have concerns about water wastage typically associated with RO water purifiers, you’ll find some relief in knowing that the Pureit Eco Water Saver is designed to minimize water wastage when compared to others in its category.

Other Models From Pureit

Pureit Copper+ employs a similar purification system, with the added capability to dispense copper-infused water or regular water according to your preference. If you’ve discovered health benefits from copper water, an alternative approach could involve storing water overnight in a copper bottle. This eliminates the need to invest an extra 6-7k in the Copper+ water purifier. Pureit Copper+ features an 8-liter tank capacity.

Another viable option is the Pureit Advanced Pro Mineral, which offers a 7-liter tank capacity. Its purification system mirrors that of the Eco Water Saver, except it lacks the MF membrane. However, since it doesn’t mix raw water to increase TDS, the MF membrane isn’t an absolute necessity. It’s worth noting that the Advanced Pro Mineral does produce more wastewater compared to the Pureit Eco Water Saver.

Flaws, But Not Deal Breakers

To start, the MF membrane doesn’t appear essential, and its exclusion could have reduced annual filter replacement expenses. Additionally, the black body tends to attract smudges, necessitating frequent surface cleaning. Moreover, having easier access to the tank would have been advantageous, granting users the flexibility to clean it at their convenience, rather than relying on a technician.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Pureit Eco Water Saver stands out as a top-notch RO water purifier. It boasts a sizable water tank and remarkably low water wastage. With its included mineral cartridge and the assurance that it doesn’t mix raw water, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that even the tiniest traces of harmful Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) won’t be present in the water you drink from this purifier.