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Clean drinking water is a basic requirement. However, even properly treated tap water is not always completely free of contamination. This is because water utilities rarely have the technology (or funds) to provide pure water through powerful filtration or distillation.
Instead, the goal is to remove as much contamination as possible to minimize health risks. Accidents and aging infrastructure also play a role. Fortunately, you can find a lot of information and resources for home water treatment. So, let’s learn how to learn about your water supply, some common contaminants and what you can do for cleaner drinking water at home.
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The importance of water quality reports
It is important to review your local water quality report so you can determine if you want to take additional home filtration steps to further improve your drinking water.
Before I dive into the most common drinking water contaminants, I want to make it clear that this list does not mean that there are unsafe levels of a given drinking water contaminant in your area. The easiest way to find out what’s in your water is to do an annual review water quality report from your local water utility. Don’t forget to consult the applicable EPA guidance how to read them (PDF).
One thing you will notice in these reports is that the regulations set an ideal goal, the highest level of contamination goal but it is known that water treatment technology does not always provide so that they can provide a realistic standard, the highest level of contamination.
Similarly, you can find home test kits Safe Home and Very easy for about $30 or less. Both products can test for lead, bacteria and excess chlorine. (Most people lack the resources for professional water testing services.) If you use well water, it’s a good idea to test it at least once a year.
6 common contaminants in drinking water
Pulling back the curtain on what’s in your drinking water may inspire you to invest in a water filter. (Although this is common for houseplants, like my Typhoon III reverse osmosis system.)
I asked Kyle Postmus, senior manager of the Global Water Division at NSF (formerly the National Sanitation Foundation), about pollutants that can pass through the water treatment process. “While municipal water treatment systems are very effective at removing many contaminants, some contaminants can still make it through the treatment process.” Postmus also points out that the location, age of the infrastructure and quality of the water source all affect the presence of a pollutant.
He noted that the testing and certification work of organizations such as NSF helps ensure the efficiency of the water treatment process. “NSF certifies water treatment products against rigorous standards to ensure they work as claimed, giving consumers independent assurance of effectiveness.”
1. Lead
Old lead pipes are the most common cause of the toxic metal leaching into drinking water.
Lead usually enters after the treatment process because some cities still use outdated lead pipes, which add to the contamination. For example, the Utah’s Top Inventory states that some cities where I live have documented lead pipes in their water systems. The ideal solution for removing lead is to replace old water pipes, but the EPA also suggests some ways to reduce lead contamination:
- Buy a water filter certified for lead removal, like our top pick, the Zero Water filter.
- Clean the faucet aerator regularly to remove sediment.
- Drink only cold water — hot tap water can hold more leads than cold water.
- Flush your pipes before drinking water if it has been stagnant for a long time. The easiest way to do this is to take a shower, wash dishes or do laundry.
2. Microorganisms
Storms and floods can cause dangerous microorganisms to enter drinking water supplies.
Postmus says some resistant microorganisms can survive conventional treatment. However, a more common source of bacterial contamination an accidental overflow of sewage, sometimes after a heavy storm. In most cases, you can remove this type of contamination by boiling, filtering or disinfecting your water
In the case of Legionella, one of the most important steps is to set your water heater to at least 140°F to prevent bacteria from growing in your water heater. It also reduces the possibility of bacteria growth in areas where hot and cold water mix, such as faucets. (Notably, the CDC says that there is no single method can control Legionella, so you may need additional disinfectant and flushing measures if this becomes an issue in your home.)
3. Emerging impurities
Many emerging pollutants come from products you use at home and are not yet regulated by water treatment standards.
Emerging Contaminants a type of contamination that Postmus said includes pharmaceuticals, personal care products and some industrial chemicals. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are notable recent examples of emerging contaminants.
These types of pollutants may not be under regulation, but the Safe Drinking Water Act requires the EPA to evaluate. contaminated candidates every few years. Look for NSF’s water filter certification program for emerging contaminants — NSF/ANSI 401 — if you want to remove them from your drinking water. Water filter brands such as drop of water and Aquasana a good starting point.
4. Colorful organic compounds
You can find VOCs in a ton of products such as gasoline, adhesives, solvents and cleaning chemicals.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a type of chemical that dissolves easily in water — hence the word volatile — and is often the source of the smells (and tastes) we associate with chemicals. The main source of VOCs, such as trihalomethanes, is the water treatment process itself, since there are many minor products of the disinfection process. Fortunately, a well-run water treatment facility uses rigorous testing to ensure VOCs don’t enter your faucet. Chemical emissions are also a common source of VOCs in drinking water, as they contaminate groundwater.
Activated carbon filter, such as Rorra countertop filtration system used by CNET Managing Editor David Watsky, are excellent tools for removing VOCs from your water.
5. Chlorine and chloramine
Properly treated water is safe for humans but those with pets may want to consider a filter that removes trace amounts of chlorine or chloramine.
These disinfectants (which don’t really fall under the VOC umbrella) are not usually harmful to humans in well-treated water but they are not good for aquatic pets, such as fish, turtles and frogs. If you have these types of pets, it’s a good idea to treat the water to remove chloramines.
Reverse osmosis filtration is a mainstay for aquarium enthusiasts but you can also find chloramine removal products at the pet store. For chlorine, just leave it for a few days and it will eventually disappear from the water.
Water purification at home
It’s easy to improve home water quality with the right type of water filter.
Postmus recommends that consumers look for a water filter that is NSF certified to address specific contaminants. “NSF-certified water filters are rigorously tested by a third party to ensure they perform according to the manufacturer’s claims and are safe to use and do not leak. For convenience, consumers can check NSF Product List Page which lists all NSF-certified water filters.”
One reason to check the certification page is to verify the manufacturer’s claims, making sure the filter works as intended. “This is an important step when it comes to something as important to your health as your water.”
Most of the top ones tested by CNET water filter pitchers and filtered water bottles are NSF/ANSI-certified; however, you can also find refrigerator filters and whole-home filtration systems that meet the same standards.
