Learn About Your Tap Water

Learn how to read water reports, understand EPA standards, and make informed decisions about your tap water.

18 articles

Deep-dives on specific water contaminants including lead, PFAS, arsenic, and more. Learn about health effects and removal methods.

4 articles

NSF certification explained, filter comparisons, and expert recommendations for removing specific contaminants.

3 articles

City-specific water quality analysis, contamination issues, and local recommendations.

0 articles

Home test kits, certified lab reviews, and guidance on when and how to test your tap water.

0 articles

The average American family wastes 10,000 gallons of water annually from household leaks alone. Simple, cost-effective upgrades can save families $380+ per year while cutting water use by 20-30%.

Distilled water and reverse osmosis (RO) purified water both remove contaminants but through fundamentally different processes with distinct tradeoffs. Distillation achieves higher purity (99.9%+ removal, 1-5 ppm TDS) but consumes 3.0-3.5 kWh per gallon at a cost of $0.54-$0.68 per gallon, while RO systems remove 93-99% of contaminants at just $0.03-$0.10 per gallon with minimal electricity but waste 4:1 to 2:1 water ratios.

Every year, Americans spend $1.2 billion on refrigerator water filters—but 70% overpay for OEM filters when certified aftermarket alternatives deliver identical contaminant removal at 60-80% savings. The confusion is understandable: manufacturers use cryptic model numbers, aftermarket brands flood Amazon with dubious claims, and the NSF certification system adds complexity. Which filters actually remove lead, PFAS, and pharmaceuticals? Do aftermarket filters void warranties? Can generic brands match OEM performance?

The Brondell Circle RC100 promises something traditional reverse osmosis systems don't deliver: tankless-style convenience without electricity, 10x water efficiency compared to conventional RO (2.1:1 waste ratio vs 24:1), and 500 GPD production in a compact all-in-one design. But does Brondell's patented Smart Valve technology actually work as advertised, or is this another overpriced 'innovation' that underdelivers on bold claims?

Culligan markets itself as a premium reverse osmosis brand with 85+ years of water treatment experience, but does the performance justify prices 2-10x higher than competitors like APEC and Waterdrop? This comprehensive guide analyzes current Culligan RO models, real dealer pricing, NSF certifications, filter replacement costs, and hundreds of customer reviews to help you decide if Culligan is worth the investment.

Over 15 million American households rely on private wells for drinking water—but unlike public water systems, well owners are solely responsible for testing water quality and ensuring safety.