What is the healthiest way to filter tap water?

We all need water, but it can be a bit more complex. Discover the essentials of water filtration and how to optimize your tap.

New here? Read the latest updates in this article: Bottled Water VS. Tap.

Water is vital. While some drink it straight from the tap, others choose bottled water for safety. Access to safe water is not straightforward, but filtration offers the best solution for both health and the environment.

Although utilities claim to meet all Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, the EPA's efforts to shield Americans from toxic chemicals in the water supply are sometimes inadequate. According to Sydney Evans, a science analyst with the Environmental Working Group (EWG), filters contribute significantly to household safety, while developing infrastructure is paramount for ensuring clean water in the future. Follow these three steps to maximize the safety of your drinking water.

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Step 1: Avoid Bottled Water

Bottled water sales in the U.S. are at an all-time high, largely due to mistrust of tap water. Water from bottles presently represents 25% of beverage consumption in the U.S., according to Statista. Research from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health estimated that bottled water has a resource impact that is 3,500 times higher than tap water, significantly harming ecosystems. Every year in the U.S., 17 million barrels of oil go towards fulfilling plastic water bottle demand. Alarmingly, a notable portion—about 24%—of bottled water is derived from municipal taps, with only occasional extra filtration applied.

Bottled water is treated as a packaged commodity, regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which can possess less stringent guidelines when compared to the EPA's regulations affecting tap water. For example, the FDA may test bottled water for coliform bacteria just once a week, while community water systems must conduct multiple tests every day.

The ramifications of bottled water extend to environmental and social issues. The Container Recycling Institute reported that 75% of the 70 billion water bottles sold in the U.S. end up in landfills or as litter. Creating a plastic bottle consumes three liters of water, while the bottle itself can take over 1,000 years to biodegrade, according to EarthWatch.

Additionally, the nonprofit Food and Water Watch highlights that employees in bottled water facilities often earn low wages and suffer injury rates 50% higher than those in the broader manufacturing or construction sectors.

Bottled water presents health, worker, and environmental risks, but what if your tap water contains contaminants?

Step 2: Familiarize Yourself with Your Water

Water filters empower consumers to improve their water quality without contributing to plastic waste while also saving money. A study by Penn State discovered that a family of four could save around $5,000 annually by opting out of purchasing bottled water.

If your water comes from a utility, investigate any contaminants present. A comprehensive review of 140,000 public water systems across the U.S. disclosed that approximately 25 million Americans consume water from systems with over 15 violations within five years. Vulnerable demographics, including low-income and rural residents, are less likely to have access to clean water.

To conduct a thorough examination of your local water, check the EWG’s Tap Water Database. This resource details detected contaminants across 50,000 water systems in all 50 states over multiple years. The database includes violations of federal legal contaminant limits along with the legal thresholds for each contaminant and their associated health risks.

Evans states that many EPA standards are formulated based on outdated research and technology, weighing the safety of chemicals against the costs of filtration for municipalities. Regulations currently exist for about 90 contaminants, yet hundreds are frequently noted within drinking water supplies. Subsequently, no new regulations on chemical pollutants have been initiated in around 20 years. The EWG publishes new guidelines that prioritize health outcomes and take sensitive populations into account.

Individuals with private wells must send water samples to a lab for testing as local governments do not typically test well water. The EWG advises using certified labs for testing, which can uncover more contaminants than home testing. To find a lab for state-certified testing, refer to the EPA's Drinking Water and Wastewater Laboratory Network.

Step 3: Choose the Right Filter for Your Needs

No single filter fits all; different ones target distinct contaminants. The effectiveness of a filter revolves around its ability to eliminate specific pollutants in your water.

Organizations like NSF International and the Water Quality Association certify water filters for both safety and efficacy. Prior to any purchase, confirm that the filter is certified by one of these accredited bodies.

Which Filter Should You Select?

Carbon:

Carbon effectively binds with and removes contaminants. Common examples of carbon filter products include pitcher filters like Brita. Filter maintenance involves regular replacements, as contaminants can be released back into the water once the filter is saturated.

Best for: Eliminating chlorine and disinfection chemical byproducts from utility water. Some types may also filter out asbestos, lead, mercury, and certain VOCs; please check the packaging for details. These filters are typically among the least expensive options available.

Cons: Product quality can vary significantly, and they may not remove pollutants such as arsenic, fluoride, and nitrate.

Ion exchange/water softeners:

These filters utilize resin to attract and remove excess magnesium and calcium. Mechanical filters generally last around a decade and may require professional repairs, with periodic resin replacement as part of regular upkeep. Ion exchange systems can be installed under a single sink or for an entire household.

Best for: Reducing mineral accumulation in pipes, specifically calcium, magnesium, barium, and radium, which can naturally occur in tap water.

Cons: Little to no impact on the levels of other contaminants. Additionally, softened water substitutes minerals such as sodium, making it unsuitable for low-sodium diets or watering plants.

Reverse Osmosis:

These filtration units push water through membranes designed to block contaminants. Home-use models often incorporate both carbon and sediment filters. The EWG identifies reverse osmosis as the most effective filtration method, suitable for specific sinks or whole-house applications.

Best for: Eliminating arsenic, fluoride, hexavalent chromium, nitrates, and perchlorate contaminants.

Cons: High water wastage, often taking five gallons of water to produce one filtered gallon. While effective, they also remove beneficial minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium.

Various other filtration methods, primarily focused on pathogens and bacteria, may not effectively filter chemicals. It’s advisable to rely on the three primary techniques outlined above for treated water filtration.

Why Water Systems Require More Than Filters:

Water filters offer a significantly better environmental alternative to bottled water, even if they involve some water wastage and ongoing maintenance. Evans highlights that filtering can profoundly affect our health over time. Unfiltered tap water may seem safe, but organizations like EWG warn that many utilities are delivering water tainted with harmful chemicals, risking serious health consequences throughout consumers' lives. Filtering your water represents a practical step you can take control over.

That said, a water filter is but a temporary solution. Often, the communities with the most critical water quality issues are unable to afford the filters needed to improve their water supply. Flint, Michigan exemplifies this challenge, where chronic quality issues were ignored while residents suffered from poisonings stemming from lead contamination. The Flint crisis illustrates the intersection of environmental justice and access to safe water.

According to Evans, there can sometimes be dissonance between advocacy efforts and individual capabilities. Today, households are informed about the necessity for water filters; yesterday's focus was on PFAS and nonstick cookware, while the next concern will likely be pesticides in food. Each associated issue incurs significant health consequences and can feel overwhelming. It is essential that solutions originate at communal and national levels.

Evans urges community investment in infrastructure, ensuring that utilities possess the needed resources to safeguard communities, regardless of residents' filter affordability. After identifying the contaminants in your water, engage local legislators to understand how they can contribute to water safety efforts and expand community resources.

Access to clean and healthy water is a fundamental human right for all individuals. By investing in responsible and efficient water filtration systems, you can optimize your tap water quality.

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