The Complete Beginner's Guide to Water Filters
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If you’re like most people, you want to drink clean water but aren’t sure where to start. Or, perhaps you’ve looked into different types of water filters and found yourself totally confused. There’s a good reason for this! The information is complex, sometimes misleading or conflicting and there’s so much to digest.
Until now.
You don’t need to become a water quality expert to choose the best water filter. We’ve put together the basics on what you need to know.
In this Guide, we'll cover the following:
Until now.
You don’t need to become a water quality expert to choose the best water filter. We’ve put together the basics on what you need to know.
In this Guide, we'll cover the following:
- Why You Should Drink Filtered Water
- What Type of Water Filter is Best for You (Water Pitcher/Container, Countertop, Faucet, Under Counter, Reverse Osmosis, Whole House)
- Our 2019 Recommended Water Filter Picks
Why It's Important to Filter Your Water
The top 5 concerns about tap water and why it's important to use water filters.
1. EPA Standards aren’t Stringent Enough
Here’s something most people don’t know: the EPA sets two contaminant levels for water, but only one is enforceable.
Let us explain:
MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): This is the health-based goal set at a level where no known or expected health risks occur, even over a lifetime. Sounds good, right? But it’s not enforceable.
MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): This is the legally enforceable limit, and it's often higher than the MCLG because it factors in the cost and feasibility of treatment. In other words, the law allows more contamination, not because it’s safe, but because it’s cheaper.
So yes, your tap water could meet EPA legal standards (MCL) and still exceed health guidelines (MCLG) that experts believe are necessary to protect you.
Let us explain:
MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): This is the health-based goal set at a level where no known or expected health risks occur, even over a lifetime. Sounds good, right? But it’s not enforceable.
MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): This is the legally enforceable limit, and it's often higher than the MCLG because it factors in the cost and feasibility of treatment. In other words, the law allows more contamination, not because it’s safe, but because it’s cheaper.
So yes, your tap water could meet EPA legal standards (MCL) and still exceed health guidelines (MCLG) that experts believe are necessary to protect you.
A Real Example:
The EPA classifies arsenic as a known human carcinogen. Its MCLG is 0.00, meaning there’s no safe level in drinking water.
But the legal limit (MCL)?
It’s 0.01 milligrams per liter because that’s what water utilities can afford to manage.
So legally, you might be drinking arsenic and still be told your water is “safe.”
You can see your local water’s arsenic levels by searching your zip code in the EWG Tap Water Database.
2. The EPA doesn’t Regulate ALL Pollutants (Not Even Close)
According to the Environmental Working Group’s latest analysis, water systems across the U.S. have detected 324 different contaminants in tap water, and many of them have no legal safety limits set by the EPA. In fact, most community water systems tested between 2021 and 2023 showed detectable levels of contaminants, often above what independent scientists consider safe.
That means millions of Americans are exposed to unregulated chemicals every time they turn on the tap.
Let’s be honest — you’d probably prefer more than a third of contaminants to be regulated.
And while you'd hope the EPA is staying ahead of the most dangerous pollutants, the truth is that new chemicals are constantly being introduced, and the agency remains understaffed, underfunded, and slow to act.
3. Your Water Department isn’t Perfect
Your water department may be failing on certain regulatory standards.
People make mistakes. Equipment fails. Monitoring systems miss things. And when it comes to municipal water treatment, those failures can affect thousands, even millions of people at a time.
According to the Environmental Working Group, tens of millions of Americans are regularly exposed to levels of trihalomethanes (TTHMs) — a group of chemical byproducts linked to cancer — that exceed what many scientists consider safe. While utilities may meet outdated federal standards, spikes in contamination are common, and the long-term risks remain.
That’s a lot of imperfection for something as essential as your water.
You can also search your own tap water report by zip code using the EWG Tap Water Database.
That’s a lot of imperfection for something as essential as your water.
You can also search your own tap water report by zip code using the EWG Tap Water Database.
4. Bad Stuff Can Happen Between the Water Plant and Your Sink
Your water gathers contaminants between the water plant and your house, so even if you’re convinced that your water department is doing a perfect job, your tap water can be contaminated by the pipes that lead to your house or the pipes inside your home.
This is precisely what happened in Flint MI and many other cities as well. Lead leached from the pipes and contaminated the water.
You may think that lead pipes are a thing of the past. It’s true that lead water pipes are no longer used today, but many older lead pipes are still in service. And during a repair or change in water chemistry, these pipes can leach lead into tap water.
This is precisely what happened in Flint MI and many other cities as well. Lead leached from the pipes and contaminated the water.
You may think that lead pipes are a thing of the past. It’s true that lead water pipes are no longer used today, but many older lead pipes are still in service. And during a repair or change in water chemistry, these pipes can leach lead into tap water.
And, it’s not just lead that could be a problem. Other contaminants can end up in your drinking water as well.
So, as your tap water travels from your water treatment plant into your house, it can pick up contaminants along the way causing unsafe levels of lead and other contaminants.
So, as your tap water travels from your water treatment plant into your house, it can pick up contaminants along the way causing unsafe levels of lead and other contaminants.
5. Fluoride Levels May Exceed Healthy Levels
Tap water contains fluoride which can cause adverse health effects. A 2006 study of Fluoride in Drinking Water sponsored by the EPA recommended lowering the MCLG due to concerns about increased bone fracture rates and enamel fluorosis in children 0-8 years old.
The committee unanimously recommended that the EPA set fluoride levels lower due to strong health concerns. The committee also recommended further study about fluoride’s impact on thyroid and brain functioning.
Unfortunately, the MCL and MCLG are still set at 4 mg/L, an unsafe level according to the committee. For a full copy of the report, click here.
Seems hard to believe, right?
A comprehensive study conducted by experts says that the fluoride goal is too high. And, ten years later, the goal still hasn’t been reset? If you're concerned about fluoride, then filtering your water is important.
A comprehensive study conducted by experts says that the fluoride goal is too high. And, ten years later, the goal still hasn’t been reset? If you're concerned about fluoride, then filtering your water is important.
What Type of Water Filter is Best for You?
Water Filter System Basics
Almost all drinking water filters use some form of carbon filtration while the best and most effective purifiers use more than one type of filtration media. Why would products have more than one filter type? Because different filter types are effective at removing different types of contaminants.
The most common types of media are carbon and/or activated carbon, ceramic filters, metallic alloy, carbon block resin, and reverse osmosis membranes. Each filter medium has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, carbon filters are excellent at removing a broad range of contaminants but are completely ineffective at removing contaminants like Fluoride.
Determining Effectiveness
How do you know which products are effective? The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) with the NSF have contaminant reduction standards for drinking water treatment units. When buying your filter, look for these NSF standards:
How do you know which products are effective? The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) with the NSF have contaminant reduction standards for drinking water treatment units. When buying your filter, look for these NSF standards:
- NSF Standard 42-Aesthetic Effects. This standard covers Chlorine, Taste and Odor, and Particulates.
- NSF Standard 53-Health Effects. This standard applies to hazardous contaminants including microbiological (harmful cysts), chemical (disinfection byproducts, pesticides and herbicides, VOC’s, and MTBE’s), and particulate matter (lead, mercury, etc.).
- NSF Standard 58-Reverse Osmosis. This standard applies only to RO systems and addresses Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and other hazardous contaminants.
- NSF Standard 401-Emerging Compounds/Incidental Contaminants. This standard covers up to 15 contaminants found at trace levels in public drinking water. These include certain prescription drugs as well as over the counter pain medications, pesticides, and herbicides not before targeted, and some new chemical compounds used in flame retardants, plastics, and detergents. All good things to remove from your drinking water!
Water Filter System Basics (cont)
It is important to note that although these standards cover many contaminants and set up MINIMUM reduction requirements, a product does not have to remove ALL of the contaminants to earn NSF certification. The filter only has to reach the minimum requirement for the contaminants claimed by the manufacturer to receive certification.
You Must Read the Fine Print, Really!
To compare filters you have to look not only for the NSF certification, but you need to check each filter’s Performance Data Sheet to find
(1) the number of contaminants removed, and
(2) the real level of reduction achieved.
So while it is true that ALL CERTIFIED products meet minimum reduction requirements, some will perform better than others at removing contaminants.
This is where we come in.
PureLivingSpace.com can help you make the best choices for you and your family. We’ve already read the performance results and performed the side by side comparisons, so you don’t have to. All you need to know is that all products that are certified to an NSF standard are not created equal, so you aren’t confused by marketing claims.
Water Purifier Product Types Explained - Gravity, Faucet, & Counter Top Filters
There are many types of water purifiers to choose from. Let's start with the Point of Use (POU) filter types.
Pitchers/Containers
The simplest POU filters are Gravity-fed Pitchers or larger dispensers that you fill manually. These filters are not connected to your plumbing, are free-standing and portable.
Pluses:
Pitchers/Containers
The simplest POU filters are Gravity-fed Pitchers or larger dispensers that you fill manually. These filters are not connected to your plumbing, are free-standing and portable.
Pluses:
- Easy set-up and operation, no installation necessary
- Great to use at the office, in dorm rooms or in temporary living situations
Minuses:
- Only filters small amounts at a time
- Performance varies widely among pitchers; name brand pitchers only filter a handful of contaminants. However, we did find one brand that filtered as well as an installed water filter system.
Faucet & Counter Top Filters
Faucet Filters attach to your water spout. Counter Top Filters have a free-standing water filter unit that sits next to your sink and attaches to the end of your faucet via hoses. Both faucet and counter top filters have a diverter valve that engages the filter when you want filtered water. All of these filters are easy DIY solutions.
Faucet Filters
Pluses:
Faucet Filters attach to your water spout. Counter Top Filters have a free-standing water filter unit that sits next to your sink and attaches to the end of your faucet via hoses. Both faucet and counter top filters have a diverter valve that engages the filter when you want filtered water. All of these filters are easy DIY solutions.
Faucet Filters
Pluses:
- Easy to install and move, good for renters
- Low cost
Minuses:
- Will not work with many specialty faucets such as pull-out sprayers
- Limited contaminant reduction; all the faucet filters we researched had the same limited performance much like the big name water pitcher filters
Counter Top
Pluses:
- Easy to install and move, good for renters
- Easiest way to install a high capability filter
Minuses:
- Aesthetics may not appeal to everyone
- Will not work with many specialty faucets such as pull-out sprayers
Under Counter, Reverse Osmosis & Whole House Water Filters
Under Counter Filters
These are plumbed-in systems that connect to your cold water line under your sink and dispense filtered water through a second small faucet rather than the main faucet. You can install yours at your main kitchen sink or at a secondary sink like a wet bar.
Pluses:
These are plumbed-in systems that connect to your cold water line under your sink and dispense filtered water through a second small faucet rather than the main faucet. You can install yours at your main kitchen sink or at a secondary sink like a wet bar.
Pluses:
- High capability filter, installs under the sink and out-of-the-way
- Dedicated drinking water faucet
Minuses:
- Requires space under the kitchen sink
- Requires a plumber or someone with basic plumbing skills to install
Under Counter Filters come with and without Reverse Osmosis (RO) filters. The RO filters need a separate holding tank for filtered water as well as a connection to your water waste line. These systems can either be installed by a handy homeowner, or by a plumber.
Keep in mind that when you install a separate water faucet, you'll need a hole cut in your countertop. A plumber can handle this for you.
Pluses:
- High degree of filtration
- Dedicated drinking water faucet
Minuses:
- Cost - more expensive than other water filter systems
- Space requirement due to separate holding tank
Whole House System - Point of Entry (POE)
A Whole House System connects directly to your incoming water line and filters all the water to your home. A Whole House Filters has a high water flow rate, so many can't filter out as many contaminants as a POU system. You'll need a licensed plumber to install your Whole House Filter.
Pluses:
- Filters all the water coming into your house
- Can soften hard water with addition of a water softener
Minuses:
- Requires a plumber
- Some have limited capacity to remove other contaminants so a drinking water filter solution is typically needed/required
Water Pitchers & Water Containers
Tested by a third-party lab to meet NSF standards. The water quality lab reports are available in the product details.
Counter Top Water Filters
The Austin Springs water filters is an excellent choice. Portable, highly effective, certified to remove at least 50+ contaminants.
Under Counter Water Filters
Our top picks include the Austin Springs & Aquasana RO System.