Gadget review: Strauss Water T6 Water Dispenser

I’m fussy about my water. We’re treated to pretty good stuff in Scotland, but that’s not to say that everything’s perfect.

A 2009 Consumer Focus Scotland study found that 23 out of 87 water dispensers tested in offices in Edinburgh, Lothian and the Borders had some form of contamination. We’re talking serious nasties such as coliform bacteria more commonly found in faeces. If you currently have a jug of filtered water in the fridge or recycle a mountain of bottled water empties every week, the T6 might be just what you’re looking for.

The T6 Water Dispenser offers considerably more than water purification, although it handles that job particularly effectively with charcoal filters, a de-scaler capsule and a UV lamp for neutralising any nasties. It was installed by a friendly chap from the manufacturer, Strauss Water, who plumbed it into my mains water supply. The key feature is purified chilled or hot water on demand. The blue backlit LCD includes two bars indicating the temperature of the hot and cold reservoirs and, just like a fridge, the T6 maintains the cold water at the temperature you specify. The manufacturer’s claims of 80 cups of boiling water per hour and 40 cups of chilled took octopus-like dexterity to test, but the speed boil button did live up to its billing.

Unless you’re planning to open a local greasy spoon, such stats are a little meaningless. There’s little doubt the T6 is the Ferrari of water dispensers, and it comes with a suitably high-end price tag of £550 (including installation and optional year of maintenance from the Water Club).

£350 from www.strauss-water.co.uk, installation, £56 with one year membership of the Water Club, £144. Total cost, £550.