Water Quality
Your most consumed substance. You drink 2-3 liters of water daily— what's in it matters. Municipal water contains chlorine, fluoride, and often pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, and agricultural runoff. Quality filtration is a foundational health investment.
Common Water Contaminants
Chlorine/Chloramine
Disinfection byproduct. Kills gut bacteria. Easy to filter. Shower filter too.
Fluoride
Added to many supplies. Thyroid impact. Needs specific filter (RO or bone char).
Lead
From old pipes. Neurotoxic. No safe level. Common in older homes.
Pharmaceuticals
Hormones, antibiotics, antidepressants. Not removed by treatment plants.
PFAS
"Forever chemicals." Widespread. Endocrine disruptors. Hard to filter.
Arsenic
Natural in groundwater. Carcinogen. Common in well water. Test specifically.
Nitrates
Agricultural runoff. Fertilizer. Dangerous for infants. Common in rural areas.
Microplastics
Ubiquitous now. Bottled water often worse. Health effects emerging.
Filtration Options
Carbon Filters
Removes chlorine, taste, some chemicals. Pitcher or countertop. Basic but helpful.
Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Removes most contaminants including fluoride. Remineralization needed. Under-sink.
Whole House
Filters all water entering home. Shower, bath, sink. Investment but comprehensive.
Berkey-Style
Gravity-fed. Black carbon filters. Removes most contaminants. No plumbing needed.
Shower Filter
Removes chlorine from shower. Skin and lung absorption. Easy install.
Spring Water
Natural source. Find local springs. Glass containers. Best quality possible.
Water Quality Tips
Test Your Water
Know what's in it. Home tests or lab analysis. Target filtration needs.
Avoid Plastic
Glass or stainless steel bottles. Plastic leaches. Especially with heat.
Add Minerals Back
RO removes minerals. Add trace minerals or Celtic/Himalayan salt. Small pinch.
Filter Shower Too
Chlorine absorbs through skin, lungs. 10-minute shower = glass of chlorinated water.
Run Water First
Let it run 30 seconds before drinking. Clears stagnant pipe water.
Replace Filters
Follow manufacturer schedule. Saturated filters don't work. Can become contaminated.