![]() ![]() The Environmental Working Group, an advocacy organization, estimates that more than 3,000 communities in all 50 states and two territories have drinking water contaminated with PFAS. In the 2021 CR-Guardian study, almost every test sample had measurable levels of PFAS, and more than 35 percent exceeded the maximum safety threshold specified by CR scientists and other health experts. ![]() Geological Survey, at least 45 percent of the nation’s tap water is contaminated with PFAS, which are linked to obesity, cancer, learning delays in children, and thyroid disease. Some advocacy groups and consumers feel the same about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of more than 12,000 synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and are thought to be detrimental to human health. There’s no safe level of lead exposure, according to the EPA. The water quality report tells you about the water delivered to your house, but if it was built before lead-free pipes were mandated in 1986, you may want to do your own tests for lead. In that case, check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for information on well testing and treatment. If you use well water, you won’t have a CCR because the EPA doesn’t regulate private wells. If you rent an apartment, contact your building manager or local water company for a copy.Ĭommunity water systems providing water to 100,000 people or more must post the reports online. A CCR states the levels of regulated contaminants detected in the water and how they compare with the EPA’s drinking water standards. The Environmental Protection Agency requires community water suppliers to provide a Consumer Confidence Report to customers every July. But if convenience is important to you, under-sink filters are a good option. They may require custom plumbing, or sink or countertop alterations for the water dispenser. They hide discreetly and filter a higher volume of water at a greater flow rate. Under-sink water filters are more expensive, ranging from less than $100 to $700. Countertop filters can cost $80 or much more, depending on the filtration system they use. Faucet-mounted filters often cost less than $50. ![]() They work well for apartment dwellers because they don’t require a plumber to install. Both typically filter using granulated activated carbon cartridges that draw away contaminants before water leaves your tap. They’re also relatively economical, with most costing less than $50.įaucet-mounted water filters attach directly to your tap, while countertop water filters attach to your tap by a hose that diverts water through a small sink-side purifying device equipped with a spout. They’re easy to use, require no installation, and take up less space than a more permanent option. In addition to refrigerator water filters, the most popular are pitcher-style filters-the kind you fill from the tap and keep in your fridge. Our ratings also include reverse osmosis water filters from previous testing. Because drinking-water complaints often relate to taste and smell, we test flavor and odor reduction in our current ratings for water filter pitchers, under-sink water filters, faucet-mounted filters, and countertop filters. Those sampled water systems served more than 19 million people.Īn in-home water filter can not only protect against harmful contaminants but also improve the taste of your tap water. had detectable amounts of lead, arsenic, or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances linked to significant health problems) above CR’s recommended maximum levels. ![]() A joint Consumer Reports-Guardian US news organization investigation of the nation’s tap water revealed that 118 of 120 tested locations across the U.S. While many people buy water filters simply to improve the taste or appearance of their tap water, filtering your drinking water can also potentially protect you from harmful contaminants. One of the easiest ways to boost the quality of that water is by using a water filter, be it under your sink, in your fridge, or on your countertop. The water that comes out of your household tap travels through miles of pipes, aquifers, and treatment systems before landing in your glass. ![]()
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