3 in 1 Drinking Water Taps: The Plumb-Warehouse Guide

Modern kitchens are expected to do far more than simply provide a place to prepare food. Homeowners increasingly want kitchens that are practical, stylish and easier to live with — and 3 in 1 drinking water taps are becoming a popular way to achieve all three.

Combining a conventional kitchen mixer with a dedicated drinking-water function, a 3 in 1 tap can provide hot, cold and filtered drinking water from a single fitting. This can help reduce worktop clutter while making filtered water readily available whenever you need it.

Leading brands such as BWT, Wash Water and InSinkErator offer sophisticated solutions for homeowners looking to improve their kitchen’s water supply without compromising on design.

What Is a 3 in 1 Drinking Water Tap?

A 3 in 1 drinking water tap combines three water functions within one kitchen tap:

• Hot water for washing dishes, cooking and general kitchen use
• Cold water for everyday use
• Filtered drinking water for filling glasses, bottles, kettles and cooking

The key benefit is that the filtered drinking water is normally kept separate from the regular hot and cold water channels. This means you can use the main mixer for everyday washing water while having dedicated filtered water available for drinking.

This is particularly useful for homeowners who want the convenience of filtered water without installing a separate drinking-water tap alongside their kitchen mixer.

Why Choose a 3 in 1 Tap?

Replacing a standard kitchen mixer with a 3 in 1 tap can offer several practical advantages.

1. One Tap Instead of Two

One of the biggest attractions is the clean appearance. Instead of having a standard mixer plus a separate filtered-water tap, a 3 in 1 design combines everything into one fitting.

This can:

• Reduce visual clutter around the sink
• Free up valuable worktop space
• Create a more streamlined kitchen design
• Provide easier access to drinking water

For modern kitchens, where minimalist design is increasingly popular, this can make a significant difference.

2. Filtered Water on Demand

A dedicated filtered-water function means you can fill a glass or reusable bottle directly from the tap.

Depending on the system and filter selected, filtration can help reduce substances that affect the taste and odour of tap water. BWT’s drinking-water systems, for example, offer filtration options designed to reduce chlorine, certain heavy metals and limescale, with some systems also adding magnesium to the filtered water.

This makes a filtered drinking-water tap particularly attractive to homeowners who prefer the taste of filtered water.

3. Convenient Washing Water

Your normal hot and cold water remains available for everyday kitchen tasks.

Whether you’re:

• Washing dishes
• Rinsing vegetables
• Cleaning the sink
• Filling a washing-up bowl
• Washing your hands

you can continue using the standard hot and cold mixer function.

The filtered drinking-water function is separate, so you don’t need to use filtered water for general washing tasks.

InSinkErator 3 in 1 Drinking Water Taps

InSinkErator is particularly well known for its instant hot-water systems, and its 3N1 range combines a conventional kitchen mixer with filtered steaming-hot water.

The InSinkErator 3N1 provides regular hot and cold water alongside filtered steaming-hot water. Its system uses a dedicated filtered-water supply, while safety features are incorporated into the steaming-hot water control. They also have a 4N1 option, which adds chilled drinking water.

This makes it an interesting choice for homeowners who want to go beyond filtered cold drinking water and introduce instant hot water into their kitchen routine.

What Can You Use an InSinkErator 3N1 For?

An instant hot-water tap can be useful for:

• Making tea and coffee
• Filling pans
• Preparing food
• Speeding up cooking tasks
• Reducing reliance on a kettle
• Providing convenient hot water throughout the day

The InSinkErator 3N1 delivers filtered steaming-hot water while retaining conventional hot and cold mixer functionality.

It’s worth noting that not every InSinkErator model provides exactly the same functions. For example, the company’s 4N1 range can add filtered cold and optional filtered chilled water alongside regular hot and cold and filtered steaming-hot water.

BWT 3 in 1 Drinking Water Taps

BWT takes a slightly different approach, with drinking-water systems designed around filtration and, in selected systems, magnesium mineralisation.

BWT’s AQA drink Pure systems can combine a three-way kitchen tap with an under-sink filter. Depending on the model, the tap provides filtered magnesium-mineralised water alongside regular hot and cold unfiltered water.

This creates a particularly convenient setup: one tap handles your everyday kitchen water, while a separate water channel provides filtered drinking water.

BWT also offers systems with filter monitoring, allowing homeowners to keep track of filter capacity and know when a cartridge needs replacing.

3 in 1 Drinking Water Taps vs Standard Kitchen Taps

Feature	Standard Kitchen Tap	3 in 1 Drinking Water Tap
Hot water	✓	✓
Cold water	✓	✓
Filtered drinking water	Usually no	✓
Separate drinking-water channel	No	✓
Under-sink filtration	Optional/separate	Often integrated into system
Countertop clutter	Standard	Reduced
Instant hot-water options	No	Available on selected models
Premium finishes	Available	Widely available

The right option ultimately depends on what you want from your kitchen. If you simply need hot and cold wash water, a standard mixer may be sufficient. If you want convenient filtered water, a 3 in 1 system can provide a more complete solution.

How Does a 3 in 1 Drinking Water Tap Work?

Although the tap looks like a single fitting, it contains separate internal water channels.

The basic process is:

Mains water → filtration system → dedicated drinking-water channel → filtered water from the tap

At the same time:

Mains hot/cold supply → standard mixer → everyday wash water

Keeping the water channels separate is important because it means filtered drinking water isn’t unnecessarily used for everyday kitchen tasks.

Some BWT systems specifically use separate channels for filtered and unfiltered water, while their filtration systems sit beneath the sink.

What Should You Consider Before Buying?

Choosing the right 3 in 1 tap isn’t simply about picking the most attractive design. There are several practical factors worth considering.

Water Filtration

First, consider what you want your filtration system to achieve.

Depending on the cartridge and system, filtration may target:

• Chlorine
• Unpleasant tastes and odours
• Limescale
• Certain heavy metals
• Other unwanted substances

BWT offers different cartridge technologies depending on the intended application and incoming water quality.

Filter Replacement

All filtration systems require ongoing maintenance. Check how often the cartridge needs replacing and how easy it is to obtain replacements.

For example, BWT states that many of its drinking-water cartridges should be replaced every three to six months, depending on the system, water quality and usage.

InSinkErator’s 3N1 system recommends replacing its filter every six months at the rated capacity, or sooner if there is a noticeable reduction in flow.

Hot Water Requirements

If your priority is simply filtered cold drinking water, you may not need an instant hot-water system.

However, if you regularly make hot drinks or want to reduce kettle use, an InSinkErator-style instant hot-water system could be worth considering.

Available Space Under the Sink

Don’t forget about the equipment beneath the worktop.

Depending on the product, you may need room for:

• Filter cartridges
• Filter housing
• An instant hot-water tank
• Connections and valves
• Monitoring equipment

Check the manufacturer’s installation requirements before ordering.

Tap Design and Finish

Your kitchen tap is one of the most visible fittings in the room, so aesthetics matter.

Consider finishes such as:

• Chrome
• Brushed steel
• Stainless steel
• Matt black
• Brushed metallic finishes

It’s also worth checking the height and reach of the spout to make sure it works comfortably with your sink.

3 in 1 Drinking Water Taps from Wash Water

Wash Water 3 in 1 drinking water taps offer a convenient and stylish solution for modern kitchens, combining everyday hot and cold water with a dedicated filtered drinking-water supply from one tap. Similar to the systems described above, Wash Water taps are designed to reduce the need for a separate drinking-water tap, helping create a cleaner and more streamlined look around the sink. Depending on the system selected, homeowners can enjoy easy access to filtered water for drinking and cooking while continuing to use the main mixer for everyday kitchen tasks. With contemporary designs and a choice of finishes, a Wash Water 3 in 1 tap can provide an attractive finishing touch while making filtered water more convenient to access every day.

Are 3 in 1 Drinking Water Taps Worth It?

For many homeowners, the biggest advantage is convenience.

Instead of keeping bottled water in the fridge or using a separate filter jug, filtered water can be available directly from the kitchen tap.

A 3 in 1 tap can also make a kitchen feel more organised by combining multiple functions into a single fitting.

However, remember that the initial purchase price can be higher than that of a standard mixer. There are also ongoing filter replacement costs, and some systems require additional equipment beneath the sink.

For homeowners who regularly drink filtered water, those considerations may be worthwhile in exchange for everyday convenience.

3 in 1 Drinking Water Taps: A Stylish Upgrade for Modern Kitchens

A kitchen tap has evolved from being a purely functional fitting into an important part of kitchen design. 3 in 1 drinking water taps take this a step further by combining everyday wash water with convenient access to filtered drinking water.

Whether you’re interested in an InSinkErator system for filtered steaming-hot water or a BWT solution focused on filtered and mineralised drinking water, there are options to suit different lifestyles and kitchen requirements.

Before choosing your tap, consider the type of water you want, filtration requirements, available under-sink space, filter replacement costs and the design of your kitchen.

Ready to Upgrade Your Kitchen Tap?

Explore our range of 3 in 1 drinking water taps, filtered water taps, including Wash Water, InSinkErator systems and BWT to find a setup that combines convenience, performance and contemporary design.

A well-chosen 3 in 1 tap can be a small change that makes a surprisingly big difference to how you use your kitchen every day.