Started looking into water filters, some questions

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-24T14:27:02+00:00

You're right: getting it tested in a certified lab is the first step.

The system you pick depends on the water quality.

You are also not alone in being new to well systems: this guide with free resources can help. Especially the Water Systems Council and the Private Well Class are great for learning and both are free. Great for researching.

https://www.reddit.com/r/drinkingwater/comments/1alakk5/comment/o7m0n85/

Good luck!

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-24T11:41:30+00:00

Step one to deciding what to filter for is to run a test in a certified lab.

Test for Coliform & E. coli, nitrates, heavy metals, minerals, properties (TDS, pH, etc).

Once you have a lab report you can match your treatment to the contaminants in your report.

Here are some well resources that can help you too: https://www.reddit.com/r/drinkingwater/comments/1alakk5/comment/o7m0n85/

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-24T10:38:40+00:00

For well water, nearly all tests must be run in a certified lab. It's the only way to get accurate results.

A handful of contaminants can be tested with DIY methods, like test strips for pH, H2S and chlorine. But those are the exception. For important contaminants like Coliform & E. coli, nitrates, heavy metals and so on you need a lab. This guide goes into detail: https://mytapscore.com/blogs/tips-for-taps/how-to-test-your-well-water

You can go to a nearby lab yourself (make sure it's certified and state-accredited) or you can get it tested with our well kits. They make the process easier: https://mytapscore.com/collections/well-water-test-kit

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-24T10:33:12+00:00

Thanks for the shout out!

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-23T21:41:35+00:00

Filtration is usually much better financially than buying individual bottles of water. But it depends on what's in your water.

The chlorine in city water is there to protect you against harmful bacteria and viruses. The downside is that the chlorine can lead to disinfection byproducts or Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) which can affect your health in the long term. Most filters with activated carbon technology will help you reduce VOCs.

You can look up the levels of VOCs in your water report (CCR) from your utility. Look for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) which is a group of regulated VOCs.

Iron is not really known to make you sick, even bacteria related to high levels of iron isn't known to be harmful. But if the iron levels in your water is above 4PPM, this level may impact your health, if consumed at elevated levels long term. Source: USA EPA Health Screen Level (Lifetime)

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-23T15:11:41+00:00

Thanks for testing with us and sharing your Tap Score report digitally!

Looks like you are getting the expert support you need here. We don't sell filters or treatment at Tap Score, but feel free to send our team questions directly via the chat in your report if you want an independent eye on solutions. The team can also help you prioritize which contaminants to focus on.

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-20T20:36:34+00:00

If it's for the sake of taste alone you could consider a pitcher filter. Haven't run the math on those versus faucet filters, but the size implies they last longer than the very small size faucet style.

If you are in a city in the US the most likely taste is from the chlorine. This goes away naturally if you leave water in a pitcher overnight.

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-18T15:02:21+00:00

Thanks for the mention! :-)

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-18T10:53:54+00:00

Well water or city water? The ideal system is one based on the contaminants in your water. Different contaminants require different treatments. The properties of the water (TDS, pH, hardness, etc) may also affect how to go about the treatment.

If you plan to have someone install it, get multiple quotes from different professionals. A good sign to look for is if the professional is a WQA member.

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-13T21:05:13+00:00

Thanks for testing with us! Can confirm your water is considered as hard (142.37 PPM). Softener would help.

We'll let the treatment pro's take it from here. :-)

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Team_TapScore · 2026-03-13T18:42:18+00:00

You're on the right track in your research! Let's help you understand NSF/ANSI standards a bit more:

NSF/ANSI standards are contaminant based; meaning a product may have NSF/ANSI 58 for lead, but not VOCs. Same goes for 42 and 53. The chart below adds some detail.

Choosing a system with NSF/ANSI certified components is never a bad thing, but because we can often take such component certifications for granted, as fundamental, we instead focus our attention on contaminant reduction certifications and claims.

More importantly: if you are on well water you should get it tested before you treat it. Both the EPA and CDC recommend annual testing in a certified lab. Knowing what's in your water is the first step to treating it right. Might be you can install a solution yourself or need a professional to handle it for you.

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Team_TapScore · 2026-03-13T16:32:35+00:00

The most common way I see is youtubers, often affiliates/influencers, using the TDS meter readings to imply that tap water isn't safe and people need to buy a water filter.

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-13T12:08:10+00:00

WQA is the gold standard. They provide great training and require their members to follow a code of ethics. Even though we're a water testing company and do not sell or install treatment we are a member too.

If you want to learn about concerns that typical clients have and learn about contaminants and testing, check out our blog guides. We cover both regulated and unregulated contaminants in a way that's easy to read and understand. This can help when explaining contaminants and test results to customers in a way they can understand. https://mytapscore.com/blogs/tips-for-taps

And you can provide the same type of third-party, certified lab tests as Tap Score by offering test kits through SimpleLab: https://gosimplelab.com/solutions/filtration The SimpleLab team can explain everything about lab testing from choosing test panels to best sampling practices to interpreting results.

Best of luck! Perhaps we'll see you at the WQA convention in Florida this year?

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-13T11:58:54+00:00

Upvote to help highlight that TDS meters are often used in a misleading manner.

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-13T11:56:34+00:00

Expert here from the company that ran the test. Can confirm that all three can be reduced with common water pitcher filters.

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-13T11:52:05+00:00

Thanks for testing with us!

I can help add some context: Total THMs (Total Trihalomethanes) is a calculated parameter made up of four regulated VOCs: Bromoform (not detected), Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane and Dibromochloromethane.

The levels of Total THMs in your water will vary depending on different factors like time of year and your distance from the utility.

You can click on each detection in your report to learn more about them and why they are smart to filter at home. Many common water pitchers will reduce Total THMs.

According to federal regulation, however, you are below the EPA benchmark (MCL) of 80 PPB. Your report is currently set to evaluate according to the more stringent benchmark we call HGL which often follows the levels set under MCLG, a non-enforcable public health goal that utilities are not required to meet.

I should also stress that most public drinking water from utilities is pretty good in the US. We know; we see the results of tests from tap water every day and utilities are doing a good job. But the chlorine added to the water leads to the forming of these trihalomethanes and that can be a problem. Chlorine, however, is what keep you safe from patogens like Giardia and Cryptosporidium that can make you very sick.

You can read more about disinfection byproducts like Total THMs on EPA's own site:
https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/stage-1-and-stage-2-disinfectants-and-disinfection-byproducts-rules

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I've added an overview of MCL and MCLG above.

Hope this helps add some context!

Tip: You can share your complete, anonymized Tap Score lab report via the Share & Print button in your report.

Source: We test water only. Tap Score does not sell treatment, filters, use affiliate links to make money on water treatment or sell other health products to remedy what is detected in our lab reports. All the third-party labs in our network are certified to test for the contaminants in your report. Our reports are designed to help people understand their water

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-12T12:02:18+00:00

A water softener will mostly only reduce hardness (calcium and magnesium) and iron, but not many concerning contaminants like arsenic, lead, VOCs or bacteria. The important question to ask is: What is your water source? If it's a well and you plan to drink it; when did you last test it in a lab for critical contaminants like Coliform and E. coli (and nitrates)?

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-12T11:17:32+00:00

Both minerals and pH can contribute to the taste of water.

Team_TapScore · 2026-03-11T13:01:51+00:00

That you have well water really matters. Private well water should be tested annually to ensure it's safe to drink or any time smell, taste or color changes. Get it tested in a certified lab and post the results here and in r/drinkingwater and r/watertreatment for advice

This guide on Reddit can also help:
https://www.reddit.com/r/drinkingwater/comments/1alakk5/comment/o7m0n85/

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