The UK uses around 13 billion plastic bottles every year – and many of these won't be recycled, ending up in landfill or polluting our oceans.

Here in the UK, our tap water is safe to drink. But many people choose not to drink water straight from the tap – either because they don't like the taste, or because they are worried about chemicals in the drinking water supply.

Using a water filter jug is an excellent solution.

We tried out the fill&enjoy Style jug from Brita. Using recyclable Maxtra+ filters, this jug reduces limescale, metals such as lead and copper, and chlorine and other chemicals. The result is healthy, clean-tasting water that's just as good as anything from a plastic bottle – and will cost much less too.

The Style jug is attractive, with a sleek, flowing, minimalist design. It looks great on the kitchen counter top – and with its compact dimensions, will fit easily into the door of the fridge.

The Style is available in a choice of three modern colours – grey, lime or blue – so should coordinate well with the décor of most kitchens.

It has a flip-top lid, with a silicone strap, that can be opened with a fingertip – so it's easy to fill. It pours steadily without spilling or splashing, and is dishwasher safe.

One great feature we loved was the filter indicator light. This uses a traffic-light system to signal when it's time to replace the cartridge – the colour of the light changes gradually from green through yellow to red – so there's no guesswork involved.

Maxtra+ filters are made with coconut shells and last for around one month. They're affordable and readily available from supermarkets.

Brita established a recycling programme for used cartridges in 1992, with all parts of BRITA cartridges reused or recycled. Recycling points for Maxtra+ cartridges are widely available in supermarkets and stores across the UK.

Having fresh, clear, filtered water on hand means it's much easier to stay hydrated – a must for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It's recommended that we drink around two litres of water each day.

Symptoms of dehydration include headaches, dizziness and feeling tired – so drinking a glass of filtered water at regular intervals throughout the day can help to improve wellbeing.

Using filtered water to make hot drinks is beneficial too. It helps avoid the build-up of limescale in your kettle, prolonging its life, and – because of the reduction in chemicals – improves the flavour of tea and coffee.

The Brita fill&enjoy Style jug is available in two sizes, and costs from £31. Buy one here.