From the Water Quality Association

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  • HOME
  • WATER BASICS
  • TAP
  • WHOLE HOUSE

Learn how water treatment

can improve your drinking water

Quality water is essential

The United States enjoys one of the best supplies of drinking water in the world. However, while tap water that meets federal and state standards is generally safe to drink, threats to drinking water are increasing.

Effective water treatment through the use of certified products can address water quality issues either for the Whole House (Point-of-Entry) or at the tap (Point-of-Use).

Learn about Water Basics

Find a water treatment provider in your area to consult - here are some questions to ask.

CONSULT

01

02

TEST

Find a listing of EPA accredited labs in your state.

Find a certified product to treat your water.

TREAT

03

Three simple steps to improve your home's water quality:

Solutions at the tap

and the whole house

final barrier

In-home water treatment provides the  "final barrier" of protection  to prevent contaminants or health hazards from being ingested by you, a family member, or pet. It can also address the impurities that lend an unattractive taste, smell, or appearance to your drinking water.

Better quality water includes both aesthetic issues to protect property and health issues to attain higher levels of public health. Final barrier focuses on solutions at the tap (point-of-use) and  for the whole house (point-of-entry)  for residential and business purposes.

You may need to do some home testing and research to find out which options are best for you.

Whole House

At the tap

Learn more

Benefits of water filtration

Water and health are linked

The "final barrier" concept recommends the use of water filtration systems to ensure quality drinking water is available at the tap. In-home water treatment can address issues such as:

  • Disinfection byproducts formed during treatment and delivery to homes
  • Corrosion products from the distribution system
  • Corrosion or other products from unknown sources in home plumbing
  • Contaminant intrusions into the system from distribution line breaks
  • Trace levels of unregulated contaminants such as endocrine disruptors

Every household faces different water issues. Click here to find a water treatment professional who can help.

Common Contaminants

Sometimes chemicals that had not previously been detected (or were previously found in far lesser concentrations) are discovered in the water supply. These chemicals are known as “contaminants of emerging concern” or simply "emerging contaminants." Emerging contaminants are important because the risk they pose to human health and the environment is not yet fully understood.

LEAD

Learn more

PFAS

Learn more

MANGANESE

Learn more

Contaminant Occurrence Map

The Water Quality Research Foundation's Contaminant Occurrence Map displays data in the United States for regulated drinking water contaminants.

The value of certification

Certification provides end users, retailers and regulators the benefit of knowing that an accredited third party has evaluated a product’s capability of passing rigorous testing according to industry standards.

Certified products give consumers the confidence that a product does what it claims it will do. A certified product bears a distinguished Mark indicating that the product has undergone evaluation and testing to verify that the product will perform as the certified claims indicate.

Always look for the WQA Gold Seal or other independent certifying agencies such as NSF International, IAPMO or UL.

When is it time to seek professional help for your water?

The Water Quality Association recommends seeking a qualified water treatment provider under the following circumstances:

  • If your tap water doesn't taste good
  • If your tap water doesn't smell good
  • If your water doesn't lather properly when mixed with soap
  • If your water leaves scale or spots on surfaces
  • If you've had laboratory testing done and aren't sure how to solve the problems

A water treatment professional can help you sort through the options because water is complex, has may potential contaminants, and there is no "one size fits all" solution to water problems.

Be careful when dealing with solicitors.

WQA does NOT solicit door-to-door for any reason. Also, WQA members abide by a Code of Ethics.

Learn about well water safety

Consumer-friendly information on well water safety is provided by WQA Technical Affairs Director Eric Yeggy in a new podcast and accompanying blog post produced by vipHomeLink, a company that produces a home management app and information on organizing, maintaining and improving your home.

 

The blog post, "Well, Well, Well — What Do you Need to Know About Well Water Safety," is available online. The podcast is embedded in the blog post or can be accessed here.

GET YOUR FREE COPY

Water Treatment For Dummies

Water Treatment For Dummies: Second Edition is a consumer-directed publication designed to answer common questions about the quality of water in your home or business.

Under 50 pages in length, it is written in a simple, jargon-free style.The second edition of WQA’s Water Treatment For Dummies is completely revised, updated and expanded with all-new facts, figures and statistics.

Download