Testing the Waters
Choosing the right filtration system begins with knowing one’s water. Households drawing water from a community water system should receive an annual drinking water quality report (sometimes called a Consumer Confidence Report), which informs the consumer of the water source, contaminant detection results and comparisons to drinking water standards. These reports are commonly mailed directly to the consumer, although they are also available by request from the water supplier.

Whole-home Central Water Filtration System by Whirlpool

Still, it is a good idea for all households—whether drawing from a community source or private well—to have the water tested. Older homes can contain lead pipes, and even newer homes may have pipes that were soldered with lead. Also, water suppliers may not be testing for certain contaminants or substances of which the household is concerned. “People can use their senses to decide if a test is necessary,” says Joe Harrison, technical director for the Water Quality Association (WQA), in Lisle, Ill. “You can tell by what you see, taste or smell.”

As a general rule, all homes should test for lead. Homes on well water should do a water test yearly as they are responsible for their own water quality. Well water testing should be done annually for nitrates and bacteria. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a set of water safety and quality guidelines for well owners. Currently the EPA regulates only 90 contaminants, and the standards set for these (called Maximum Contaminant Levels, or MCLs) only regulate the amount of a certain substance in the water. Homeowners who feel that a low level of a contaminant is still potentially harmful should seek a water filtration system that reduces or eliminates those contaminants.

The best way to have one’s water tested is to send a sample to an EPA-certified lab or to purchase a water testing kit. The list of EPA-certified labs by state can be found on their Web site, and a test with one of these labs usually costs between $10 to $30. The cost for a mail-in test kit is around $100 to $150. Testing costs increase with the number of contaminants being tested for, but the investment is worth it, especially for private well owners.

Choosing a System
Water system selection will depend on the water test results and the homeowner’s budget  and specific needs. Just choosing among filter options alone can seem a daunting task, as the list includes—but is not limited to—carbon, ceramic, magnetic and alkalinizing filters and systems.

Carbon filters are the most common water filters. Depending on application, they can last six to nine months and will come in a several forms, including granular, solid carbon block and silver-impregnated charcoal. Silver-impregnated charcoal kills additional bacteria and filters chloramine. Carbon filters can be rated in microns—the lower the better—and lose efficiency with use. They can also be susceptible to mold development if not used regularly.