EWG's Tap Water Database: What's in Your Drinking Water?

www.ewg.org
Carbon Filters

Can reduce the levels of many common contaminants.

pros

  • Lower upfront cost
  • Reduced maintenance

    • cons

  • Does not remove all contaminants
    • Reverse Osmosis

    Most effective at reducing contaminants.

    pros

  • Most effective

    • cons

  • Higher upfront cost
  • Requires more maintenance
  • Wastes water
    • Other Considerations Ion Exchange

    Pros: Softens hard water, Reduces some contaminants

    Cons: Doesn't remove all contaminants

    Whole-House Filters

    Pros: Useful for reducing radiologicals and TCE

    Cons: Expensive to install and maintain, Risk of bacterial contamination

    Distillation

    Pros: Removes heavy metals and harmful microbes

    Cons: Does not reduce most contaminants