Start with the goal
| If you want | Look for |
|---|---|
| Better taste and less chlorine smell | Activated carbon filter |
| Less lead | A filter certified to remove lead, such as to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 |
| Fewer sediment particles | A sediment filter |
| Very low dissolved solids | Reverse osmosis |
| Scale protection | A water softener, not a filter |
No single filter does everything. A pitcher that improves taste may do nothing for lead.
Lead and older Reading homes
The EPA says lead pipes are more likely in older cities and in homes built before 1986. Lead enters water from old service lines, solder and fixtures, not typically from the source. Boiling does not remove it. The EPA recommends a certified filter, and recommends running the cold tap for a bit after the water has sat.
A plumber can look at your service line where it enters the house and note what the pipes are made of. If the line is lead, a filter is a stopgap and replacement is the lasting fix. See water line repair.
Under-sink or whole-house
| Under-sink | Whole-house | |
|---|---|---|
| Treats | One tap, usually the kitchen | Every tap and appliance |
| Best for | Drinking and cooking water, lead and taste | Sediment, chlorine and general water quality |
| Installation | Under the cabinet, with a dedicated faucet or a line to the fridge | On the main line, with space and a bypass |
| Upkeep | Replace cartridges on schedule | Replace larger cartridges, less often |
Keeping a filter useful
A filter that is past its cartridge life can pass what it caught, or stop working altogether. Mark the change date and replace on time. Keep the manufacturer's certification sheet, since it lists the contaminants the filter is tested for.
Reading the label before you buy
Certification language is specific. A box that says it reduces lead should also name the standard it was tested to. Look for the standard number, such as NSF/ANSI 53, and then check that the product appears in the certifier's database.
A filter that says only that it improves taste has not been tested for health contaminants. That is fine for taste but not for lead.
Filter types in plain terms
A sediment filter catches particles such as sand and rust flakes. Activated carbon reduces chlorine taste and odor and some organic chemicals. A reverse osmosis unit pushes water through a membrane, usually at one tap, and sends some water to the drain.
None of these treats hardness, which is a job for a softener. Pick the type that matches the problem you have, and test the water first when you are unsure what that problem is.