Your water utility is required by law to tell you about any violation of EPA water quality standards when it occurs (through the mail or media outlets such as newspapers and television) and again in the annual water quality report. You should not drink water that fails to meet EPA standards because it may be unsafe. Thankfully, public utilities have worked hard to improve water quality. As a result, more than 90 percent of water systems meet all EPA regulations.
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The report must also disclose a list of all regulated contaminants that have been detected in the water supply. The Safe Drinking Water Act sets the maximum level of contaminants allowed in drinking water based on the filtering and treatment capabilities of current technology. The water quality report also tells you about potentially harmful substances found in your water at levels below their legal limit.
Tip: Hover your cursor over or tap the underlined text in the charts below for more information about these areas of your water quality report.
All very large community water systems, serving more than 100,000 people, must post the report online. All community water systems that serve more than 10,000 people must mail or either the report or its web address to customers.
Water systems also must make a &#;good faith effort&#; to reach renters, workers and other consumers who use the water but do not receive water bills. Utilities should use a combination of different outreach methods to notify users, such as posting the reports online, mailing them and advertising in local newspapers.
More information is available online from the EPA.
The United States provides some of the cleanest drinking water in the world, and more than 90 percent of water systems meet all EPA regulations. Some people may prefer to filter their tap water, however, because they prefer the taste, want to remove minerals and particulates or have concerns about lead piping and plumbing. This section highlights the types of available filters to help you to determine which one is best for your needs.
What impurities do you want to remove from your water? Are you concerned about health risks, or simply unappetizing tastes and odors? Different filters are designed to remove various impurities, so be sure that the filter you buy will do the job.
Once you have read your water quality report, determine what, if anything, you would like to filter out of your water. Depending on the water quality where you live, you may decide that you do not need to filter your water at all.
Water filters come in many shapes and sizes. Depending on your filtration needs, lifestyle preferences and budget, you may want to consider the following options, whose descriptions were adapted from a May Consumer Reports article:
Different water filter products use different technologies. Some use more than one. If you are looking for a home water filter, you are likely to come across some of these terms:
Each product has its own pros and cons. Individual products may use multiple technologies and are often marketed as two (or more) stage filters. Carafe, faucet-mounted and countertop filters typically use a combination of adsorption and ion exchange resins, while plumbed-in systems may use those technologies in addition to reverse osmosis.
Filters also come in a wide range of prices. Most carafes and faucet-mounted filters cost between $20 and $50, while countertop, under-sink and whole-house filters can range from $50 to $900.
When considering the price of a water filter, remember that the total cost includes your initial purchase price as well as any installation, maintenance or replacement fees. Filter parts need to be changed periodically to prevent clogging, so be sure to consider how much replacement parts cost, as well as the manufacturer&#;s estimated life span for the product.
Also consider the amount of water you use. Some filter types have larger water capacities than others. Carafes, for example, can filter a few cups or gallons at a time, while faucet-mounted or under-sink filters work directly through a tap.
Most importantly, make sure that the individual product reduces the specific contaminants that you want to remove from your water. Generally, products will include claims on their packaging or advertising regarding which contaminants they reduce and the percentage reduction rate. See the table below for more information about common contaminants of concern and which type of filter will reduce the contaminants.
Lead FILTRATION METHOD Carbon, Distillation, Reverse Osmosis NOTES
Flouride FILTRATION METHOD Distillation, Reverse Osmosis NOTES Not all public drinking water systems add fluoride to the water. Check to see if your community does by reading your annual water quality report. Chloramines FILTRATION METHOD Some Carbon/Charcoal Filters NOTES Check that the system you select is certified to reduce chloramines. Systems that reduce chlorine do not necessarily reduce chloramines. Perchlorates FILTRATION METHOD Reverse Osmosis NOTES
Arsenic FILTRATION METHOD Distillation, Reverse Osmosis NOTES Two different forms of arsenic can be found in water, so it is important to know which type of arsenic you want to filter before choosing a water treatment system.
The crisis in Flint, Michigan has brought attention to the serious problem of lead in drinking water. Fortunately, a water filter that is either NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or NSF/ANSI Standard 58 certified can reduce lead in your drinking water. These certifications are established by NSF International, a public health organization that develops standards and providing certifications with the mission to improve global human health.
These certified filters come in different shapes and sizes. Certification requires that manufacturers state how much water the filter can treat before it must be changed. Some filters even include a device that will let you know when the filter needs to be changed. When changing filter cartridges, it&#;s important to use a certified cartridge. A non-certified cartridge may not effectively filter lead from the drinking water.
There are a variety of filter options that meet the NSF&#;s certified standard. Outlined below, these filters include: pour-through pitchers/carafes, faucet mounts, and even plumbed-in filters that are installed under your sink or reverse osmosis drinking water treatment systems.
On the NSF website at www.nsf.org you can search for specific suppliers and product codes to see if they are NSF certified. Their lead specific guide provides a list of all NSF Standard certified brands and models with details for each: www.nsf.org/info/leadfiltrationguide.
Consumers are increasingly concerned about pharmaceuticals, pesticides, other hormone disrupting chemicals and microplastics in drinking water. These chemicals are not regulated, but studies have shown that they are showing up in trace amounts in drinking water. According to the National Sanitation Foundation, filters with NSF/ANSI 401 certification can reduce levels of at least one of 15 types of emerging contaminants from drinking water. You can search by the chemical of concern on the NSF website.
Make sure that your filter is certified by an independent certifying agency. Not all filters live up to the claims on the package, so make sure that the product you are buying does. The packaging should display certification from an independent certifying agency such as the National Sanitation Foundation International or Water Quality Association.
Check the internet for product reviews, and make sure the reviewer is impartial. The best reviews and ratings come from organizations that do not sell the products, such as Consumer Reports. Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union, a nonprofit organization that provides consumers with unbiased product tests and ratings.
Our favorite water filters from Brita and Culligan were easy to install, looked good, and have certifications that ensure their quality,
The importance of having access to clean, filtered water in everyday kitchens can make all the difference. While most tap water is safe to imbibe, whatever chemicals are used to clean it (cough chlorine cough) can affect its flavor. Not only can a glass of water taste bleh, but it can also actually negatively impact the taste of tea and coffee.
This is why we set out to find the best faucet filter by testing four popular models. We examined how easy they were to install and use, the effectiveness of the filter, how much replacement filters cost, and what certifications they had.
One of our favorite filters, from DuPont, was discontinued. We've removed it as a winner and added a high-performer from Culligan in its place.
The Winners, at a Glance
The Brita is a solid all-around choice. This particular filter had the second fastest flow rate, was lightweight and sleek in appearance, and included a button that changes colors depending on how close the filter is to expiration. It also boasted the longest time between filter changes in our lineup.
The Culligan impressed us with its speedy flow rate and sleek look. It's a reasonably-priced option that's simple to install, if a bit tricky to master while in use (to activate the filter, a pin must be pulled out mid-stream). Replacement filters are affordable, last for up to 200 gallons, and are easy to find online.
The Different Kinds of Water Filters
While it can be easy to recognize why you may want to filter water, choosing a filter type and model can be unduly complicated. Here are the general types and how they work:
What Certifications Mean
Faucet filters often promise to filter out unsavory ingredients such as lead, chlorine, cadmium, and mercury from water. It&#;s important to make sure this is true. The authorities on water quality are the Water Quality Association (WQA), the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Each institution ensures that filters have undergone rigorous testing to meet qualifications. Some certifications to look for are NSF/ANSI Standard 53, NSF/ANSI Standard 42, NSF/ANSI 401, and NSF/ANSI 372.
We would like to note that although most faucet filters remove a lot of chemicals and unsavory things from water, they&#;re unable to remove perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, PFAs are &#;widely used, long-lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time.&#; To find all the details about water certifications, check out our review of water filter pitchers.
The Tests
Serious Eats / Abigail Clarkin
What We Learned
How Water Faucet Filters Work
Serious Eats / Abigail Clarkin
The intricacies of the filtering process can differ depending on the specific model of the water faucet filter, but the basics remain the same. After attaching the filter and mounting base directly to a faucet, you flip a switch (or pull out a pin, in the case of the Culligan). The water then flows until it reaches the filtration section. According to Culligan, &#;the water passes through a &#;sediment trap.&#; This screen helps remove particles of sediment like dirt or sand. After that, the water is typically sent through a block of activated carbon and zeolite, which is full of pores that trap contaminants like chlorine.&#; This process ensures that some of the worst (and perhaps slimiest of) offenders never make it into your drinking glass.
When it comes to brewing coffee, for example, filtered water is essential. &#;Water that&#;s too soft has a hard time actually pulling the good-tasting solids out of the coffee bed,&#; writes former commerce writer Jesse Raub. &#;At the same time, it&#;s really hard to control the chemical makeup of your tap. A good rule of thumb is to start with a carbon water filter.&#;
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All But One Filter Removed All Traces of Flavor
Serious Eats / Abigail Clarkin
While conducting the blind taste test, we found that the Brita, Culligan, and DuPont filtered out all flavors found in the unfiltered water. (We never knew we could describe water in so many ways until this test.) Our untampered and unfiltered water tasted faintly metallic, so we were disappointed that the water filtered by PUR had traces of that flavor.
Setup Was (Almost) Painless
We always enjoy simple instructions when it comes to setting up any kitchen fixture. (We&#;ve banged our heads against enough walls in frustration when building cheap furniture, thank you!) Most setups consisted of loading the filter cartridge into the faucet mount and then screwing on the entire appliance to the faucet itself. The PUR, Brita, and Culligan each included adapters for faucets that are either internally or externally threaded. But everything got a little dicey when we found out the hard way that the Brita cartridge was not screwed on entirely&#;the filter chamber filled with water and then sent the cartridge flying up and off the mount (and into our face). The lesson? Make sure the filter is properly attached before turning on the water.
Each Filter Required An Initial Flush
If you would like to take your filter home, set it up, and guzzle down the very first glass of filtered water, think again. Every filter required running water through the filter for at least five minutes before use. The Culligan&#;s initial flush lasted for even longer, clocking in at 10 minutes (we were baffled to find the flushed water ran a bit warm at first even though we ran cold water through the system). The flush serves two purposes: 1. To activate the filter. 2. To clean out any dust or other debris inside the chamber. Each filter also comes with a warning to only filter cold water&#;since hot water can cause damage to the filter&#;so it&#;s important to change to the &#;unfiltered&#; setting before doing something like washing dishes.
Filters Last Approximately Two to Four Months
If you&#;re staying as hydrated as possible (get that glowing skin, friends!) then odds are you&#;ll be putting your filter through the wringer. Most faucet filters need to be replaced every two to four months, depending on use. The Culligan has the shortest filter usage period since the company recommends swapping out each filter approximately every two months. On the other end of the spectrum, the Brita lasts for a proposed four months. The PUR and DuPont suggest filter changes every three months. Not sure if you&#;ll be able to keep track of time? We recommend the Brita for its indicator light. As the filter loses its life, the light changes from flashing green to flashing amber, to flashing red.
The Criteria: What to Look For in a Faucet Water Filter
Serious Eats / Grace Kelly
During testing, we looked for filters that were easy to install, use, and replace. We also considered how effective the filter is by conducting a blind taste test and checking to make sure that each is officially ANSI/NSI certified.
Our Favorite Faucet Filters
What we liked: The Brita&#;s flow rate was the second fastest of the bunch, filtering one gallon in one minute and 24 seconds. Unlike the other filters, this one only needs a filter change every four months. Even better? It comes with a filter light to let you know when the filter needs changing! Overall, the filter is lightweight, simple, and sleek, and it fits in well with other chrome appliances. Plus, at the time of testing, it was half the cost of the DuPont (our previous, now-discontinued winner).
What we didn&#;t like: We found out the hard way that the filter cartridge needed to be fastened very securely to the main section of the filter unit, otherwise the built-up water sent the cartridge flying. Once fastened properly, we did not have this issue again.
Key Specs
Serious Eats / Abigail Clarkin
What we liked: Most importantly, this filter produced clean, neutral-tasting water. We were very impressed with the Culligan&#;s flow rate: It filtered a gallon of water in a mere one minute and 19 seconds, much faster than our previous winner, the DuPont. Replacement filters are $19 per filter, which is relatively affordable. On that note, the filter cartridge should be replaced every 200 gallons, as opposed to Brita's every 100. The filter is sleek and nice-looking.
What we didn't like: Activation of the filter itself&#;once affixed and flushed&#;was not intuitive. We had to pull out a pin on the side of the machine for the filtration to begin. This activation only works if the water is already running relatively steadily.
Key Specs
Serious Eats / Abigail Clarkin
The Competition
FAQs
How does a faucet filter work?
The filter is attached directly to the faucet itself. As the unfiltered water flows into the filtration section, it is purified by a screen that filters out larger particles. The next part of the process&#;a section often made up of activated carbon and zeolite&#;takes care of smaller impurities.
What&#;s the difference between a faucet filter, a water filter pitcher, and a reverse osmosis filtration system?
While each filter has the same purpose&#;to cleanse water of a variety of harmful chemicals and other impurities&#;faucet filters, water filter pitchers, and reverse osmosis filtration systems are all set up differently. The faucet filter affixes to the faucet itself; water filter pitchers are freestanding pitchers to which unfiltered water can be added; and reverse osmosis filtration systems are often attached under the sink to the tap water source.
How much do filter cartridges cost?
Since every filter is different, replacement cartridges can vary in price. Cartridges can usually be purchased in sets, either directly from the company&#;s website, or online elsewhere. Price can greatly depend on the bulk of cartridges ordered but we have found that the range can go from $13 for two (such as for PUR) to $46 for a set of three (such as for DuPont).
How can I find out what is in my tap water?
There are a couple of ways to determine what exactly is in your water. Many water suppliers provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report. But if this is not the case, we recommend visiting the United States Environmental Protection Agency's website to access the information. You can also use a self-administered test in order to find out if you have hard water (we&#;ve used the Premium Water Hardness Test Kit).
What does a filter get rid of?
Faucet filters are excellent for removing both health and non-health-related impurities, depending on their certifications. This means that any certified filter is likely to remove things like lead, chlorine, cadmium, and more. However, most filters are not powerful enough to remove some long-lasting chemicals, such as those that fall under the umbrella of PFAs. Read more about water filtration in our review of water pitcher filters.
Is a PUR or Brita filter better?
The PUR faucet filter we tested had the right certifications, but it fell short on performance. The water we filtered with it tasted metallic. Regarding aesthetics, It's hard to get used to the enormous attachment. The Brita has a more discreet profile, cleanly filtered water, and only needed to have its filter changed every four months.
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