Sans Water Purifier Review: Eliminate PFAS And Microplastics At Home – Forbes

Report on the Sans Water Purifier and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing Water Quality Challenges

Increasing contamination of municipal water supplies with pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics presents a significant challenge to achieving universal access to safe drinking water, a key target of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The Sans Water Purifier is a countertop appliance designed to address this issue at the household level through advanced filtration technology. This report evaluates the features, performance, and sustainability implications of the device, with a specific focus on its contribution to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Technical Specifications and Performance Analysis

Four-Stage Reverse Osmosis and UV-C Purification

The Sans purifier utilizes a multi-stage filtration process considered the gold standard for contaminant removal, directly supporting SDG 3 and SDG 6 by ensuring water is free from harmful substances. The process includes:

1. Sediment and Carbon Pre-Filter: Removes large particulates like silt and debris, as well as chlorine and pesticides.
2. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membrane: An ultra-fine filter that removes up to 99% of contaminants, including PFAS, heavy metals, and microplastics. This technology is highly effective where standard activated carbon filters fall short.
3. Dense Activated Carbon Filter: Targets and removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde.
4. UV-C Light Disinfection: A final stage that damages the DNA of microorganisms, neutralizing bacteria and viruses to prevent waterborne diseases.

The purification cycle for a full tank is reported to take approximately three and a half minutes.

Design, Usability, and Features

• Appliance Footprint: The unit features a slim, modern design (under 7 inches wide and over 17 inches deep), suitable for countertop placement.
• User Interface: A touchscreen control panel allows for monitoring filter status and operation.
• Pitcher System: It includes a glass pitcher with a sensor for automatic refilling when placed correctly on the base.
• Hot Water Dispenser: An integrated feature provides hot water up to 201°F, adding convenience and potentially reducing the energy consumption associated with boiling water separately.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The primary function of the Sans Water Purifier is to provide access to safe and clean drinking water at the point of use. By effectively removing a wide spectrum of chemical and microbial contaminants, it offers a decentralized solution for households concerned about the quality of their tap water, thereby contributing directly to Target 6.1: “By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.”

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The removal of persistent and harmful contaminants has a direct impact on public health. The system’s proven effectiveness against PFAS, microplastics, heavy metals, and VOCs helps reduce human exposure to substances linked to adverse health outcomes. This aligns with Target 3.9: “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.”

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The device presents a complex relationship with SDG 12. On one hand, by providing reliable access to purified tap water, it can reduce household reliance on single-use plastic water bottles, promoting more sustainable consumption patterns. However, the reverse osmosis process is inherently inefficient in terms of water use.

• Water Waste: The system generates significant water waste. Testing indicated that approximately 33 ounces of wastewater are produced for every 118-ounce batch of purified water. This highlights a critical trade-off, as water conservation is a key component of sustainable resource management under SDG 12.
• Resource Management: The need to frequently refill the 118-ounce tank and manage the disposal of wastewater presents operational challenges for users and raises concerns about overall water efficiency.

Conclusion and Final Assessment

The Sans Water Purifier is an effective and convenient solution for households seeking to improve drinking water quality and ensure it is free from a range of modern contaminants. Its performance strongly supports the objectives of SDG 3 and SDG 6 by enhancing health and providing access to clean water. However, the significant water waste generated during the reverse osmosis process poses a challenge to the principles of SDG 12. While the device offers a viable alternative to under-the-sink installation and bottled water consumption, its overall sustainability is compromised by its water inefficiency. Potential users must weigh the benefits of superior contaminant removal against the environmental cost of water waste.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The entire article is centered on the challenge of accessing clean and safe drinking water due to contamination. It discusses the presence of pollutants in tap water and evaluates a technological solution (a water purifier) designed to provide safe water at the household level.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article directly links water quality to health by highlighting the presence of harmful contaminants. It mentions “forever chemicals (PFAS), heavy metals, microplastics, chlorine, pesticides, benzene, and formaldehyde,” which are known to have adverse health effects. The purpose of the purifier is to remove these substances, thereby protecting human health.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The article touches upon the efficiency of resource use by discussing the water waste generated by the reverse osmosis process. It notes, “reverse osmosis inherently comes with a significant amount of water waste,” and even quantifies it, connecting the product’s operation to the sustainable management of water resources.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The article’s premise is that “clean water is getting more difficult to access” due to contaminants that “public water sanitation systems” may not completely eradicate. The reviewed water purifier is presented as a home solution to achieve safe drinking water, directly contributing to this target at an individual level.
• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article focuses on the removal of specific hazardous chemicals. It quotes an expert stating that contaminants like PFAS “are incredibly persistent both in the environment and within the human body.” The purifier’s ability to reduce “up to 99% of pollutants,” including VOCs like benzene and formaldehyde, directly addresses the goal of mitigating health risks from water contamination.
• Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials… While the article does not address reducing pollution at its source, it focuses on improving water quality at the point of consumption. The four-stage filtration process is designed to reduce pollutants like “debris and silt as well as chlorine and pesticides,” “forever chemicals,” and “VOCs,” thereby improving the quality of water for human use.
• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. This target is relevant due to the discussion of the water purifier’s efficiency. The article critically examines the water waste, a by-product of the purification process. It states, “Sans claims there should only be 15 ounces of water waste with each 118-ounce batch, but we measured that number to be closer to 33 ounces.” This analysis of the product’s drain ratio directly relates to the efficient use of water as a natural resource.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 6.1 & 3.9 (Implied): Percentage of contaminants removed from drinking water. The article explicitly mentions that the Sans Water Purifier is “designed to reduce up to 99% of pollutants.” This percentage serves as a direct indicator of the effectiveness of a technology in making water safe for consumption, which is a measure of progress towards providing safe drinking water and reducing health risks.
• Indicator for Target 6.3 (Implied): Concentration of specific pollutants in tap water. The article’s discussion of “contaminants like forever chemicals,” “PFAS and microplastics,” “heavy metals,” and “VOCs like benzene and formaldehyde” implies that the presence and concentration of these substances are key indicators of water quality. The need for the purifier is based on these indicators exceeding safe levels in public water supplies.
• Indicator for Target 12.2 (Explicit): Water-use efficiency / Drain ratio. The article provides a direct, measurable indicator of water-use efficiency. It quantifies the amount of water wasted per purification cycle: “we measured that number to be closer to 33 ounces” of waste for a 118-ounce batch. This ratio of purified water to wastewater is a clear indicator of the sustainable use of water resources by the appliance.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: forbes.com