Tap water in the United States is generally safe and of high quality. But that doesn’t mean all glasses taste the same, or that all building plumbing provides the same taste. same water To the faucet.
This uncertainty has fueled a boom in the water filter market, from simple pitcher models to multi-thousand dollar reverse osmosis systems. But experts say most U.S. families don’t need extensive treatment. The challenge is Know how to decide Do you need a filter?
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Environmental Protection Agency sets health standards for more than 90 contaminants in public water systems, including chemicals and microorganisms. Utilities treat water with disinfectants such as chlorine to kill harmful bacteria before it reaches your home. Most public utilities meet these standards, and most Americans can safely drink water from their taps.
Experts say most tap water in the United States is fine without filters. But if you still need some peace of mind, here are some tips.
“You shouldn’t feel the need to get a filter unless there are health effects, your water system has notified you, or there’s a credible media report that the water is unsafe,” said Gregory Pearce, director of the Water Solutions Laboratory at the University of California, Los Angeles. “It may make the water taste a little better, so it’s still very welcome, but water filters shouldn’t be considered necessary in over 90 percent of the United States.”
Here’s how to check your local water quality, when water testing is appropriate, and how to choose a filter to address your concerns. without wasting money.
How to check water quality
Let’s start with the public works annual report. Consumer confidence reportdetails the contaminants detected and whether the system meets federal standards. These reports are usually available on city or utility websites. You can also contact your provider directly if you have any questions. Water systems are usually responsible only for water until you reach private property. This means water quality can vary from building to building.
For many people, these reports may be reassuring enough. Still, some consumers want more certainty, especially in older buildings.
“The water will need to be tested to see if there is a risk that requires treatment,” said Jess Goddard, chief scientific officer at environmental testing company Simple Labs.
Private wells have different maintenance and safety needs because they are not regulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act and well monitoring is the responsibility of the homeowner. of EPA is one of the agencies that provides resources to people with private wells.
Test kits vary in price depending on what contaminants they are testing for, but can cost hundreds of dollars or more.
Here’s how the test generally works: Order a kit, follow the instructions to collect a water sample, and mail it to an accredited lab. The laboratory analyzes for certain contaminants, including: A group of chemicals known as PFASinvestigates and reports on microplastics, metals, and disinfection byproducts.
This article is part of AP’s Be Well coverage, which focuses on wellness, fitness, diet and mental health. Read more Hope you are well.
If the inspection reveals serious problems, Pierce recommends contacting your water utility or state Department of Environmental Quality for guidance. If testing reveals high levels of contaminants, the solution may go beyond installing a household filter. Officials may recommend temporary alternative water sources, such as bottled water, or infrastructure upgrades, such as replacing pipes.
If the problem is not severe enough to require these measures, filters may be helpful.
Filter selection
People need to consider what their filtration goals are and what different filters can do. of EPA advises Many household activities such as flushing the toilet and doing laundry do not require treatment, so cooking and drinking are typical uses to consider.
Most filters include ratings from the nonprofit organizations NSF and American National Standards Institute. general NSF/ANSI rating Of these, 42 were related to taste and odor concerns, 53 were related to health effects, and 401 were related to emerging compounds. Ann NSF database You can search by product name or the compound you want to reduce.
“Not all filters are suitable for all,” says Sidney Evans, a scientific analyst who led the Environmental Working Group’s water filter testing project. “And even if you had a filter that did everything perfectly, you probably don’t need it.”
Many households use filters not because of safety concerns, but because of taste and odor, and “these things really impact people’s enjoyment of drinking water and their sense of security,” Goddard said.
Monday, March 9, 2026 Replacement water filter in cabinet in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
Monday, March 9, 2026 Replacement water filter in cabinet in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel)
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In such cases, a basic carbon filter is effective, as are many popular pitcher models. Activated carbon reduces chlorine and the byproducts that form when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in water.
Samantha Baer, senior research analyst at Simple Labs, said these byproducts are expected to be included in treated water. She said she and her colleagues filter their tap water, even if it’s below federal standards. Not because the water is unsafe, but to reduce long-term exposure.
Even people who live outside of areas with high levels of PFAS contamination may be concerned about the presence of PFAS. PFAS is an abbreviation for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. of environmental protection agency says filters can reduce PFAS levels, but encourages people to contact their local water service provider as a first step if they have concerns.
Lead is also a contaminant that can exceed the capacity of filtration systems. but, EPA Memo No level of lead is safe, so people may want to use filters even if alternative water sources or pipe replacements are not recommended.
Differences in treatment systems
Systems attached to pitchers, refrigerator filters, and faucets treat water at the point of use: when you use it to drink or cook. Undersink systems and reverse osmosis devices also treat water at your faucet, but may require professional installation.
Whole-house systems treat water at the inlet. This means that the water is filtered before being distributed throughout your home. These systems are typically more expensive and often require professional installation. These are typically used for problems that affect all domestic water, such as hardness, high iron levels, and certain volatile compounds, rather than contaminants caused by plumbing.
In addition to filtration systems, some households use water softeners to reduce the presence of minerals that can build up and damage pipes, but these systems do not remove most other contaminants. Although less common in homes, distillation systems boil water and condense the steam to remove minerals and some contaminants.
Experts say most homes don’t need a whole house or distillation system unless they’re dealing with a specific, documented problem.
Maintaining and replacing your water filter is also important. If you do not replace the cartridge according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it may lose its effectiveness or cause bacterial growth.
“Otherwise, they could do more harm than good,” said Pierce, the UCLA scholar.
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