What Is Quatreau Touch and Why It’s a Smart Upgrade for Your Kitchen Water System

Household water systems have become an active part of modern kitchen design. Homeowners expect great tasting water on demand, low running costs, simple maintenance, and a system that fits neatly into their daily routine. Quatreau Touch is one of the newer point of use kitchen solutions that aims to deliver on all of those expectations.

In this article I explain what Quatreau Touch is, how it works, where it fits in the spectrum of home water treatment, and whether it is a sensible upgrade for UK kitchens.

What is Quatreau Touch?

Quatreau Touch is a point of use kitchen water system built around convenience and performance. It typically combines multi-stage filtration with user-friendly delivery features such as instant hot water, chilled water, sparkling water or large flow at a dedicated kitchen tap.

The name Touch refers to the user interface and convenience of dispensing, with a design emphasising ease of use, minimal footprint, and fast access to different water temperatures or carbonation if the model supports it.

In short, Quatreau Touch is targeted at people who want a premium drinking water experience from a single tap without the footprint or complexity of a full reverse osmosis installation or a complete whole-house system.

The core technology: what’s inside Quatreau Touch?

Quatreau Touch systems are engineered as point of use solutions rather than whole-house units. Typical internal components include:

• Sediment pre-filter to trap sand, rust, and particulate matter that could clog later stages.
• Activated carbon or carbon block filter to reduce chlorine, chloramine, volatile organic compounds and tastes and odours.
• High performance membrane or ultrafiltration stage in models that need advanced contaminant reduction. Some Quatreau Touch variants use membrane technology similar in principle to reverse osmosis but configured for a compact point of use application.
• Polishing and post-carbon stages that improve taste and final mouthfeel.
• Optional remineralisation in models that remove minerals so that final water taste is balanced rather than flat.
• Thermal modules for instant hot water production. These are engineered to be safe and energy efficient.
• Cooling module when chilled water is offered. Modern systems use compact refrigeration components sized for point of use demand.
• Carbonation module in models that provide sparkling water on demand. This is integrated with a user control for bubble intensity.
• Integrated electronics and touch controls for easy selection of hot, cold, ambient, or sparkling water.

Not every Quatreau Touch model includes every feature above. Choose a configuration based on what you actually use. If you rarely want sparkling water, skip that module and save space and cost.

How Quatreau Touch treats common UK tap water issues?

UK mains water is comprehensive and usually safe to drink, but there are three main types of complaints homeowners have:

1. Taste and odour issues due to chlorine and seasonal organics
2. Trace contaminants such as lead in old plumbing, pesticide traces, or microplastics in some areas
3. Water hardness causing limescale on kettles and appliances

Quatreau Touch addresses these problems in different ways depending on configuration:

• Carbon stages remove chlorine and improve taste and smell. This alone can make a dramatic difference in everyday drinking water and in hot beverages. If you want an overview of when filtration versus softening is appropriate, see this comparison on The Water filtration vs water softener.
• Membrane stages or ultrafiltration reduce dissolved solids and particulates to a level that makes water noticeably cleaner and can remove some heavy metal traces. For a deeper walk through of membrane technology, you can read about reverse osmosis basics.
• Quatreau Touch is not a whole-house softener. If limescale is your primary worry, a dedicated softener such as Soft Pro or Smooth Tower would be better at protecting boilers and baths across the house.

So Quatreau Touch is mainly designed for point of use excellence: excellent drinking and cooking water, instant hot and cold options, and optional carbonation.

Installation and plumbing considerations

One of the strongest benefits of a Quatreau Touch system is the relatively compact installation footprint when compared with under-sink reverse osmosis plus storage tank and pumps. Typical installation considerations include:

• Under sink space. Most Quatreau Touch units are compact but still need some cabinet room for filters, a small tank or thermal modules and tubing. Measure under-sink space and ensure you have at least 40 to 60 cm depth and reasonable height clearance for routine filter replacement.
• Dedicated tap. Quatreau Touch normally uses a dedicated tap installed on your sink or worktop. That keeps the system simple to use and avoids cross contamination with the existing mains tap.
• Mains water feed and drain connection for systems using any membrane reject water. If your chosen model produces very small wastewater volumes that might still require a drain saddle connection under the sink.
• Power supply. For hot and chilled water functions you need a nearby 13A socket. Standard kitchen socket planning normally suffices.
• Pressure. Most point of use units operate at normal mains pressure. If your property has low mains pressure, check manufacturer minimum pressure specification. Some systems require a small booster pump which adds cost and installation complexity.

While DIY installation is possible for experienced homeowners, professional installation removes guesswork and ensures compliance with local plumbing standards, correct drain connections, and safe electrical setup.

If you want guidance on choosing appropriate equipment and professional installation, see guide on how to choose the best water filter for your home.

Real-world benefits: taste, convenience and health-related points

Taste and beverage quality

The immediate advantage of a point of use purifier that includes carbon and polishing stages is much better tasting tea, coffee and water. Many UK homes switch from bottled water back to tap water once the difference in taste is clear. If you care about coffee extraction or delicate teas, a clean and stable mineral profile matters.

Speed and convenience

Quatreau Touch delivers on-demand hot and chilled water. That removes the need to wait for kettles to boil or to fill and chill a bottle. Where offices or busy households need instant hot water for drinks, this saves minutes per day and reduces friction.

Safety and contaminant reduction

A well configured Quatreau Touch with membrane or ULTRA filter offers substantial reduction of microplastics and certain dissolved contaminants. It is not a substitute for whole-house disinfection, but for drinking and cooking water it raises the safety bar while remaining low maintenance.

Reduced bottled water use

A high quality point of use system reduces reliance on single use plastic bottles. That is both an environmental and a cost benefit. Many households recoup the system cost inside a few years simply by not buying bottled water.

Space and aesthetic

Quatreau Touch taps and units are designed to match modern kitchens. A single, clean tap replacing a kettle and a jug makes the sink area less cluttered.

Cost breakdown: purchase, installation and running cost in the UK

Below are realistic cost ranges for the UK market. These are estimates intended to help you compare options.

Upfront purchase cost

• Entry level Quatreau Touch models with basic filtration and hot/cold: approximately £500 to £900.
• Mid range models with membrane filtration and chilling: approximately £900 to £1,400.
• Full feature systems with carbonation and premium finishes: around £1,400 to £2,200.

Prices vary by retailer, promotions and included service packages.

Installation cost

• Professional installation typically ranges from £100 to £350 depending on access, any cabinetry modification, and whether a booster pump or drain work is required.

Running costs per year

Running costs include filter replacements, lamp changes if UV is present, electricity for chilling and occasional hot water standby energy.

• Filter cartridges and consumables: £40 to £140 per year depending on usage and filter complexity.
• Electricity for chilled and hot standby: £10 to £60 per year depending on model and use.
• CO2 cylinders for carbonation models: variable, typically £15 to £40 per cylinder, and frequency depends on sparkling usage.

Total typical annual running cost: approximately £50 to £240.

Total cost of ownership

Assume a mid range unit costing £1,000 installed for a small family. If annual running cost averages £120, total 5 year cost estimate = upfront £1,000 + 5 × £120 = £1,600. That is much cheaper than buying bottled water regularly and more convenient than frequent deliveries.

Be sure to check the manufacturer recommended filter replacement schedule and prices. For general guidance on replacement intervals see The practical guide for when to replace water filter cartridges.

Maintenance: filter change intervals and typical tasks

Maintenance for Quatreau Touch is designed to be straightforward. Typical tasks include:

• Pre-filter replacement every 6 to 12 months depending on water quality and usage. This protects downstream stages.
• Carbon block replacement every 6 to 12 months to keep chlorine removal effective.
• Membrane replacement where present typically every 24 to 60 months depending on feed water and how well pre-filters are kept in schedule.
• Post-polishing filter replacement every 12 months.
• Remineralisation cartridge replacement where included often follows the same 12 month rhythm.
• Descaling or scale management for hot water circuits if your area is very hard. Quatreau Touch is not a whole-house softener, so heavy scale areas will still need separate softening to protect appliances long term.

A reliable approach is to set reminders for filter replacement and keep a small stock of the next scheduled filter in the cupboard. Many manufacturers and retailers offer subscription replacement plans that deliver filters automatically and make maintenance budgetable.

If you want a printable reminder or maintenance checklist, a downloadable maintenance guide can be very useful. The Water Dr provides practical content on why whole-house filtration matters and maintenance tips which helps contextualise system maintenance for different household setups.

What are the top Quatreau Touch versus common alternatives?

Choosing the right system depends on what problem you are solving. Below I compare Quatreau Touch with other common approaches.

Quatreau Touch versus under-sink reverse osmosis

• Purity and contaminant removal: Reverse osmosis is the gold standard for removing dissolved salts and many contaminants. A RO system will usually achieve lower TDS than Quatreau Touch unless Quatreau model includes membrane stage.
• Water waste: Standard RO often wastes 2 to 4 litres per 1 litre produced for many domestic systems. Quatreau Touch units with efficient membrane design or ultrafiltration use far less or none.
• Convenience: Quatreau Touch is designed for instant hot and chilled dispensing. Typical RO setups need a storage tank which adds complexity and reduces immediacy.
• Taste and mineral balance: RO can make water very flat unless remineralised; Quatreau Touch often balances purity with taste out of the box.

If you prioritise absolute removal of dissolved contaminants such as fluoride or high sodium, RO remains the better fit. For everyday drinking water quality with high convenience, Quatreau Touch is compelling.

Quatreau Touch versus whole-house filtration

• Scope: Whole-house systems treat every tap in the property for scale, chlorine or sediment; Quatreau Touch only treats the kitchen tap. If your main concerns are bathing comfort, scale on boilers, or washing machine longevity, whole-house solutions such as Soft Pro or Whole House Protection 3-in-1 are more appropriate. See the Water Dr whole-house collection for options.
• Cost: Whole-house systems are far more expensive to install and maintain but protect more assets. Quatreau Touch is lower cost and direct in impact.
• Use case: Many homeowners combine whole-house softening or filtration for plumbing protection and a point of use Quatreau Touch for drinking water purity.

Quatreau Touch versus jug or countertop filters

• Performance: Jug filters are cheap and convenient but have much lower performance and slower flow rates. Quatreau Touch delivers professional grade filtration and additional features like hot and chilled water.
• Running costs: Jug filter replacements can be looked at as low but add up over time. Quatreau Touch running costs are predictable and are typically offset by stopping bottled water purchases.

Quatreau Touch together with Aurmina or remineralisation

If you like the concept of Aurmina, which optimises water structure and mouthfeel after filtration, Quatreau Touch pairs well with remineralisation or enhancement stages to achieve pleasing taste and mouthfeel without losing the benefits of high purification. For background on water optimisation, see the Aurmina discussion on The Water Dr.

Health considerations and best practice

Quatreau Touch improves drinking water quality but does not remove the need to consider other household water risks. Practical pointers:

• Vulnerable occupants: If someone in your household has a seriously compromised immune system, speak to a water professional about whether point of use treatment is sufficient or if additional measures are necessary. Whole-house UV for biological protection can be considered in addition to point of use treatment.
• Testing: Before buying, test your mains water to identify the real issues. If your water shows high nitrates, heavy metals or unusual contaminants, choose a system that addresses those specifically.
• Legitimate claims: Rely on certified lab performance data for contaminant reduction. Trusted brands publish independent test results and certificates.

Who should choose Quatreau Touch?

Quatreau Touch is most appropriate for homeowners who:

• Want a single point solution for excellent drinking water, instant hot and chilled water, and optionally sparkling water.
• Prefer a compact under-sink installation rather than a bulkier whole-house system.
• Value convenience and a polished user interface.
• Want strong contaminant reduction for drinking and cooking but are not necessarily looking to treat every appliance in the house.
• Want to reduce bottled water use and improve daily hydration habits.

Quatreau Touch is less suitable where:

• Whole-house issues dominate for bathing, washing and scale control. In that case, combine a whole-house solution such as Whole House Protection 3-in-1 with a Quatreau Touch for the kitchen.

Final verdict:

Quatreau Touch is a strong, user-focused point of use solution that balances water purity, user convenience, and manageable running costs. For most UK households that want great tasting water, instant hot and chilled water, and low daily friction, Quatreau Touch represents a practical and attractive upgrade.

It is not a universal replacement for whole-house filtration or softening. If your priority is appliance protection, scale management or whole-house biological control, combine Quatreau Touch with appropriate whole-house systems such as Soft Pro or UV-Pro.

If your main goals are cleaner drinking water, better tea and coffee, less bottled water dependence and instant access to multiple water temperatures or sparkling water, Quatreau Touch is a compelling, cost effective choice.

If you want to see how Quatreau Touch would fit your kitchen, book a free consultation and on-site review to get a tailored recommendation and a clear cost estimate.

Frequently asked questions

Will Quatreau Touch remove fluoride?

Some Quatreau Touch models include membrane stages which significantly reduce fluoride. If fluoride removal is essential for you, confirm the specific model’s membrane rejection rates and independent testing.

Does Quatreau Touch soften water?

No. Point of use systems like Quatreau Touch do not typically remove hardness minerals across the house. For scale and limescale control you need a whole-house softener such as Soft Pro or Smooth Tower.

How noisy is the system?

Modern Quatreau Touch units are engineered for quiet operation. Cooling modules can make low-level noise when active but usually do not compete with ambient kitchen noises.

How long do filters last?

Most pre-filters and carbon cartridges have 6 to 12 month life. Membranes last 2 to 5 years depending on feed water quality and maintenance discipline.

Is it energy intensive?

No. The electricity draw for chilling and hot standby is modest. Expect roughly an extra £10 to £60 per year depending on usage pattern.

Can I retrofit Quatreau Touch in my existing kitchen?

Yes. Retrofit is one of the common use cases. You need adequate under-sink space, a nearby socket, and a place to mount the dedicated tap.