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Sometimes the most practical household objects are the least attractive. Knives don’t need to be colorful as long as they can slice through vegetables. My household’s drill doesn’t need to be cute. And when it comes to water filters, let’s just say there isn’t a Brita filter in the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. But it also feels like every week a better version of something typically mundane makes its way into my email. And, most recently, that was the Reservoir by Pentair Rocean: a countertop water-filtration system.
The faucet-like spout and sleek rounded edges are what originally caught my eye, but the fact that it filters 76 contaminants, from mercury to benzene, is what sold me. And even though New York water is legendary for its great “flavor” (they say it’s why the bagels here are superior), when I did a tap versus Reservoir-purified taste test, the difference was shockingly clear.
It also has a sustainability angle. For one, the filter is natural coconut-shell carbon—yep, it’s literally made of coconut husks—the base is 40 percent recycled PET, and the packaging is recyclable. And keeping it on my countertop has made me avoid plastic water bottles more than ever.
But the best part? The tank holds 64 ounces of water, which is great if you’re trying to up your hydration during summer’s sweltering months (I try to fill up an 8-ounce glass eight times a day, so this is perfect). Now I know that when the water tank is empty, I’m all set for the day. And it’s so much chicer than those cheesy daily water-goal bottles on my Amazon wish list.
The one downside? The price. The Reservoir is $250, but it filters 390 gallons of water before you have to shell out for a $49 replacement filter. It may sound a little pricey, but in comparison, the Berkey countertop system starts at $362 and replacement filters are $173. I like that the Reservoir is a little slimmer and feels more intentionally designed to fit into modern kitchens.
It also doesn’t keep water cold, another bummer, but the fact that it’s a utilitarian item that brings visual joy to my countertop outweighs any negatives. Now excuse me while I go grab a glass of water.
This article originally stated that The Reservoir kills 76 contaminants, when technically the filter removes them. We corrected the statement on July 22.