How to Ensure You Are Drinking Healthy Water

Clean drinking water is a foundation for health, supporting everything from digestion to brain function. However, knowing the best filter to get can be confusing due to the variety of options available. Many people resort to buying bottled water, but this creates excessive plastic waste and exposes the water to contaminants like microplastics and endocrine-disrupting chemicals leached from plastic containers. The best solution is to ensure your home water supply is safe and properly filtered.

Disclaimer: this info was written and researched in February of 2025.  The ultimate goal of this article is to help you understand how to determine the quality of your water and how to improve it if necessary.  If you understand the underlying principles then the information is timeless and with a little research you can determine the best products for your needs.

Step 1: How To Determine If Your Water is Clean and Safe

Test It

The first step in assessing water quality is testing. Here are a few sound methods to check for contaminants:

Home Water Test Kits are a quick and affordable way to test for common contaminants. Some of the best options include:

Safe Home Ultimate Drinking Water Test Kit offers over 200 contaminant tests, including heavy metals, pesticides, and bacteria.

Tap Score by SimpleLab is a comprehensive mail-in testing service with lab-grade accuracy, providing a detailed report on your water quality.

Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit is a budget-friendly option for detecting bacteria, lead, pesticides, and more.

Lab Testing provides a more thorough analysis by sending a sample to an EPA-certified laboratory, ensuring the most accurate results.

Consumer Confidence Reports (CCR) can be checked if you use municipal water, as they provide an annual report from your water provider detailing what is in your water.

Signs of Poor Water Quality include discoloration, cloudiness, sediment, a metallic or chlorine taste, or a rotten egg smell.

Step 2: Choosing the Best Water Filter for Your Needs

Once you know what is in your water, you can select an appropriate filtration system. Here are some of the best options:

Basic Filtration (Budget-Friendly)

Brita Longlast+ Filter Pitcher is affordable and removes chlorine, lead, and particulates but not fluoride or bacteria.

PUR Faucet Filtration System reduces chlorine, lead, and some heavy metals directly from your faucet.

Intermediate Filtration (Moderate Budget)

Berkey Gravity Water Filter uses carbon and microfiltration to remove heavy metals, chlorine, bacteria, and some viruses, making it a strong choice for high-quality filtration without electricity.

Aquasana 3-Stage Under Sink Water Filter System effectively reduces chlorine, heavy metals, and organic chemicals while maintaining essential minerals.

Advanced Filtration (Higher Budget)

APEC Water Systems Reverse Osmosis (RO-PH90) is one of the best RO systems, removing over 99% of contaminants, including fluoride, arsenic, and bacteria.

Home Master Artesian Full Contact RO System provides high-performance filtration with added remineralization to maintain healthy water pH.

SpringWell Whole House Filtration System is ideal for those with well water or severe contamination concerns, filtering out chlorine, pesticides, bacteria, and heavy metals at the entry point.

Step 3: Maintaining Your Water Filter

Matinenace is an important factor to consider. If you are not willing to maintain your system then after time it will not function properly and the benefits of the system will be deminished.  Take the matinence aspect of the system serious, think of it as maintaining the oil in your car only more essential to your personal health.  You and your health are worth the effort. To ensure your filtration system works effectively over time, follow these maintenance tips:

Replace Filters Regularly. Each filter has a recommended lifespan, usually measured in gallons or months. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to prevent clogging and contamination.

Clean Your System. Some filters require occasional cleaning to remove sediment buildup.

Monitor Water Quality. Retest your water periodically to confirm that your filter is still performing as expected.

Shower Water Quality

For individuals with sensitive skin, exposure to chlorine in shower water can lead to dryness, irritation, and worsening of conditions like eczema. Installing a high-quality shower filter can help reduce these effects by removing chlorine and other impurities before they reach your skin.

One of the best-rated options is the AquaHomeGroup 15-Stage Shower Filter with Vitamin C, which not only eliminates chlorine and heavy metals but also infuses the water with vitamin C to nourish skin and hair.

Another top-rated choice is the AquaBliss SF100 High Output Revitalizing Shower Filter, which effectively reduces chlorine, sediment, and other contaminants while enhancing water quality with beneficial minerals.

These filters are easy to install and compatible with most showerheads, providing an effortless way to improve water quality. For optimal performance, it’s important to replace the filter cartridge every 4-6 months. Adding a shower filter is a simple yet impactful step in creating a cleaner, healthier water experience throughout your home.