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New year, healthier water: These water filters help reduce contaminants and microplastics in tap water.
Tap water often contains impurities that may affect your health — these filtration products provide peace of mind (and cleaner H2O).
The quality of tap water is a hot topic, with a growing number of studies identifying contaminants coming out of the tap that most people would prefer not be there.
For heavy metals and bacteria
Varify 17 in 1 Complete Drinking Water Test Kit
For PFAS
Professional PFAS Test for Drinking Water
For arsenic
Safe Home® DIY Arsenic in Water Test Kit
Best faucet-mounted filter
PUR PLUS Faucet-Mounted Water Filter
Best countertop filter
Boroux Legacy Countertop Water Filter System
Best travel water bottle
LifeStraw Go Bottle
Best whole-house system
Aqua-Pure 3M Water Filter System AP904
Best pitcher
Brita Elite Everyday Pitcher
For instance, a study published in November 2024 found that more than 113 million people drink tap water that exposes them to a newly identified chemical byproduct called chloronitramide anion. This is an end product of inorganic chloramine decomposition in municipal water that's treated with chloramine as a way to prevent microorganism growth. While chloramine use itself is common and considered a safe way to treat water, it's not clear if this chemical byproduct is toxic.
Likewise, in 2023, a government-funded study published in the journal Environmental International found the presence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, otherwise known as PFAS or "forever chemicals," in nearly half of the country's drinking water.
Lead also continues to be an issue in some communities. The Environmental Protection Agency announced in October 2024 that the organization will find and replace lead pipes in water supply lines within the next decade. These "legacy" lead pipes are estimated to serve approximately 9 million homes across the U.S., particularly in lower-income areas
Even plastic water bottles may be cause for concern, as research supported by the National Institutes of Health finding high levels of microplastics in these products.
Given that it's not easy to know whether your own drinking source may contain certain chemical byproducts or PFAS, you may not know how to process this information. It's not like you can stop drinking water altogether, right? That said, there are simple ways to monitor and filter the water you drink to help ensure it's as pure as possible. Here’s what you need to know about your tap water, plus how you can make it safer.
What potential contaminants are in tap water?
Your municipal water system is required to test your drinking water for certain contaminants. But each municipality looks for different issues and may not detect things that are coming from service lines or your own home, John Rumpler, clean water director for Environment America, tells Yahoo Life. Also, if you use well water, you're responsible for testing it to make sure it’s safe to drink.
There are a few things to look out for in your water, whether it comes from a municipality or well. "We now have a lot more data than we had 10 or 20 years ago, particularly around lead, PFAS and nitrates," Rumpler says. “Those are probably the three most common contaminants.”
Nitrates, which can affect how blood carries oxygen, are more common in rural areas, especially where people drink well water, Rumpler says. Lead may leach into your drinking water from municipal pipes or fixtures in your own home, Brian Buckley, executive director of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute at Rutgers University, tells Yahoo Life. "Most of the lead that comes out of your tap is from your own pipes or the lead service line in the street," Rumpler says. "It's not something your water utility is adequately taking care of."
And there can also be disinfection byproducts in your water. "We chlorinate our water as a way to knock down bacteria and other germs," Buckley says. "But there's the chance for the formation of disinfection byproducts because of this."
Buckley also flags "contaminants of emerging concern" like polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and micro- and nanoplastics. "There are also some areas where naturally occurring contaminants impact groundwater, like arsenic," Rumpler says.
How concerned should I be?
Despite all of this, experts say that tap water is generally safe. Awareness (and a little proactive testing and filtration) may be worthwhile, but it's unlikely that you need to lose sleep over the safety of your drinking water.
"We have very clean water in this country," Buckley says. "I have no problem drinking water from my town and I do it with very little preparation." However, he notes that he uses a filter to remove chlorine in his drinking water for taste.
What can happen if you drink contaminated tap water?
It depends on the potential contaminant. Lead consumption is linked to brain, kidney, developmental and nerve damage, among other things. Nitrates can cause an increased heart rate and an increased risk of certain types of cancer. And PFAS are linked to a range of issues, from reproductive complications to a higher risk of some cancers.
But there are other potential contaminants in drinking water (like chloronitramide anion) that have emerged more recently and their impact is currently being studied.
Can water filtration products help?
Yes, if they are used properly. Each water filter is designed to target specific contaminants. So, if you're concerned about lead, it's crucial to use a water filter that's designed to remove the toxic metal from your water. But using a water filter that's designed to remove chlorine from your water but not lead is unlikely to be helpful if there is lead in your water, Rumpler points out.
Buckley agrees. "A lot depends on what you're trying to filter out and what your overall objectives are," he says.
The best way to know what you want to filter out is to look up your municipality's water test results, which are required to be publicly disclosed, and take things from there, Rumpler says. Given that contaminants can leach into your water from service lines and your home's pipes after undergoing testing at your municipality, it's a good idea to consider testing your own water, he says. And, if there are particular contaminants you don't want in your water, like chlorine (which provides a certain taste some people prefer to do without), you can simply choose a filter that targets those.
If you're unsure, Rumpler recommends using a filter designed to remove lead, given how common it is and its potential for harm.
What to look for in a water filter
Not all water filters are created equal. Experts recommend looking for these features when choosing one.
Type. On a macro level, water filters are broken down into point of use and whole-house filters. Point of use filters are things like water pitchers, countertop filters and on-tap filters, Rumpler explains. Whole-house filters are installed into your plumbing to filter out contaminants before they reach your tap.
Certifications. These are important to guarantee that your water filter does what it claims. Look for filters that are certified by NSF and Water Quality Association (WQA) or that meet NSF/ANSI standards.
Contaminants targeted. Each water filter will list the contaminants it's designed to target. Make sure that the one you're interested in will meet your needs.
Consider testing your tap water
After checking your municipal water reports to see what they screen for, doing your own home-based water test may help give you peace of mind. There are lots of simple test kits you can try at home, but not all of them test for all contaminants (particularly PFAS and arsenic). Here are a few options to get you started.
This affordable, 17-in-1 water test kit tests for common contaminants including lead, iron, copper, nitrite, nitrate, fluoride, chlorine and mercury. It also provides you information on your water's pH, hardness and alkalinity levels. The kit comes with 100 test strips which provide results in minutes along with two bacteria tests that provide results in 48 hours. A portion of each purchase also goes toward Water For Good, an organization committed to providing clean water services worldwide.
If you're concerned about PFAS in your tap water, most basic test kits won't be able to provide the proper screening. This mail-in kit provides lab analysis of your tap water from EPA/NELAC/ISO and State Certified Labs to provide results on PFAS and PFOS. Results take about 10 business days to receive ... and the price certainly isn't cheap ... but you'll have a report that provides detection to concentrations below 2 parts per trillion — about as accurate and detailed as you could hope for.
Arsenic testing isn't always included in other water test kits, so if you have a specific concern (like your water comes from a well), it's worthwhile getting a test kit that's focused specifically on arsenic. This test offers results in 30 minutes.
Water filters we recommend, based on testing
If your municipal reports and home-based testing indicate there are potential contaminants in your water, a water filter can help give you peace of mind. There are a lot of water filters on the market, making it hard to know which is best. These are our favorites, based on testing.
This point of use water filter easily hooks on to the end of your faucet, allowing you to get clean water straight from the tap. During testing, we liked how easy it was to install, as well as the three different included adapters to fit a range of taps. The filter is ANSI/NSF-certified and is designed to remove 70 contaminants including lead, mercury and some pesticides. It also has a handy on/off switch, so you can do things like wash dishes without filtering the water first. You can filter up to 100 gallons of water before needing to swap out the filter, but a built-in indicator will let you know when it's time.
Boroux has made a name for itself over the past few years thanks to the company's stylish designs and high filtration capacity. This system is NSF-certified to remove PFAS, glyphosate, DEET, chlorine, lead and more, wiping out plenty of potential contaminants in one go. During testing, we found that the setup process takes some time — there is a dye test to perform, along with the need to prep and screw in the actual filters a certain way. But that's all designed to ensure your system works properly. This system is powerful and consistently delivers a clean, crisp taste. It also holds 3 gallons of water at once, allowing you to fill it up in the morning and enjoy fresh water all day without needing to refill. You'll filter 24,000 gallons before the filters need to be swapped out. Worth noting: Boroux also allows you to buy separate filters that can remove fluoride.
We rated the LifeStraw Go Bottle as the best travel water bottle in our tested story on the best water bottles. This bottle uses a two-stage filtration system to remove 99.999999% of bacteria and 99.999% of parasites, making it helpful for when you’re dealing with questionable water sources. We found that the straw is easy to drink from and that the bottle is leakproof when closed. The activated carbon filter lasts about 26 gallons, while the membrane microfilter lasts up to 1,000 gallons. Another nice perk: The bottle is dishwasher safe.
A whole house filtration system requires a little more work on your end, due to the need to attach it to your pipes. The Aqua-Pure 3M Water Filter System AP904 is NSF-certified to remove chlorine, sediment, chloramine and more. This filter uses three stages to remove sediment, taste and odors and scale, but only requires one cylinder that you fit onto your pipe. The filter lasts for a year, so you don't need to worry about replacing it often and it provides a high flow rate, meaning it won't mess with your water pressure. Just be aware that it won't filter out heavy metals like lead (although most whole-home water filters don't).
Brita is a legacy brand in the water filtration world, and with good reason — it's a reliable product that's easy to get up and running. The brand’s Elite filter is NSF/ANSI-certified to reduce heavy metals, including lead, mercury, cadmium and copper, along with chlorine for a crisper taste. The pitcher holds 10 cups of water and is easy to fit in the fridge. (Brita also offers smaller models in case you're limited on space.) Setup is a breeze, with users getting up and running quickly. The filter itself lasts for six months or 120 gallons, giving you plenty of life out of one purchase.
FAQs
Do I need a water filter in my home?
It depends. While experts generally agree that water in America is safe as a whole, there are plenty of potential contaminants that can get in your water. There are also contaminants we're still learning about all the time. If you're interested in a water filter, but are on the fence, you can either have your water tested to see whether it contains contaminants of concern (we've provided a few options on this list) or invest in a lower-cost filter, like an on-tap filter or pitcher, just to be safe.
Which contaminant should I be worried about most?
Rumpler says lead is one of the biggest concerns, given its potential for damage. "There's no safe level of lead," he stresses. Not all water filters are certified to remove lead, so make sure you read the product description carefully before investing in one. The PUR-PLUS Faucet-Mounted Water Filter and the Boroux Legacy Countertop Water Filter System we mention above are both designed to filter out lead.
Do I need a shower filter?
Shower filters may seem frivolous, but Buckley says that some people can benefit from them. "If you have arsenic in your water, you may inhale some of it when you shower," he says. "You might consider a point of use filter from your showerhead."
Meet the experts
John Rumpler, clean water director and senior attorney for Environment America
Brian Buckley, executive director of the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute at Rutgers University
Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
