Water Quality & Home Filtration Resource Center

Hormones and Drinking Water Natural hormones, synthetic hormones, pharmaceuticals, and other contaminants of emerging concern have been detected in some wastewater, rivers, groundwater, source water, and treated drinking-water samples. This guide explains what those detections mean, what they do not prove, and how to evaluate treatment options without overstating the risk. In This Guide Can estrogen be found in water? Understanding trace concentrations Where hormones come from Human health evidence Water-treatment options Home filtration How to check your water Frequently asked questions Can Estrogen Be Found in Drinking Water? Natural and synthetic hormones have been detected in some environmental and...

Drinking Water Contaminant Guide Manganese is a naturally occurring mineral and an essential nutrient, but elevated concentrations in drinking water can cause black staining, metallic taste, and other water-quality problems. At higher or prolonged exposures, manganese in drinking water may also raise health concerns—particularly for infants and young children. In This Guide What is manganese?EPA levels explainedSigns in household waterHealth concerns Testing your waterWhy manganese form mattersTreatment optionsBerkey & manganese Choosing treatmentFAQs What Is Manganese? Manganese (Mn) is a natural element found in rocks, soil, water, and food. The human body needs small amounts for normal biological functions, and food...

Home Water Treatment Guide Trihalomethanes are volatile disinfection byproducts that can form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. If your goal is to reduce TTHMs at home, activated-carbon filtration and certain other treatment systems can help—but the right approach depends on whether you want to treat only drinking water or water throughout the house. In This Guide Quick answerWhat are TTHMs? EPA's 80 ppb standardCheck your water first Activated carbonReverse osmosis Whole-house treatmentWhat does not remove TTHMs? Berkey & TTHM reductionHow to choose a filter Frequently asked questions How Can You Reduce TTHMs in Drinking...

Lead is one of the most important drinking-water contaminants for homeowners to understand because it often enters water after treatment, through lead service lines, older plumbing, solder, faucets, and fixtures. That means two homes supplied by the same water utility can potentially have different lead levels at the tap. Does Berkey® reduce lead? Yes. Current Berkey® systems equipped with Black Berkey® Elements can be evaluated using the independent Black Berkey® lead test results, which reported at least 99.0% lead reduction through the reported 200-gallon test under the documented conditions. Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition™ Filter Elements also have separate independent...

Low concentrations of different pharmaceutical drugs are advancing into our water systems and soil through improper disposal, such as flushing and human excretion. Whenever people take antibiotics or different medications, they frequently go through the urine unchanged, dynamic, and state. This drug-containing urine, at that point, enters wastewater treatment facilities where it isn't filtered through because of an absence of screening and the important equipment required to remove the drugs. Excrement containing pharmaceutical drugs ultimately ends up in the environment, which is concerning because the environmental effects of this procedure are not yet being revealed and are, thus, broadly unknown. ...

However, according to researchers, having plenty of plastics around can cause serious health problems. In addition, the chemical bisphenol A, which is commonly found in the products we use, is something to be cautious of.

In this article, we will discuss what is BPA and what are its effects in the body. We will also introduce the tips on how to minimize the impact of BPA in our health. 

Glyphosate is a chemical that can be found in the weed killer which is popular around the world. It was discovered in the 1950s and the Monsanto company has patented it. They have included it in the 'RoundUp' product and since then, many people have been using it in their plants.

One strategy of the company to market glyphosate is through the introduction of the Genetically Modified (GM) plants to resist the exposure to glyphosate. 

With this in mind, the majority of the products available in the market nowadays have glyphosate on it. According to reports, it can have an adverse effect on the body with continued exposure. 

This article aims to explain what glyphosate is and why it is used. Also, this will tackle the advantages and disadvantages of glyphosate. Finally, it will also discuss how do the authorities see the glyphosate in the market.  

Green tea, native to China and India, has been consumed worldwide since ancient times for its health benefits. Eastern cultures have also consumed this beverage because of its apparent health benefits.  Aside from being a widely consumed beverage, it has also attracted scientific research for its potential positive effects on the body, especially on the immune system, helping protect against oxidative stress that can harm cells and counteract immune system issues.  In addition to health advantages, green tea has impressive effects on skin and hair. Green tea is believed to be exceptionally helpful for the human body.       ...

Deionized water—usually called DI water—is water treated to remove most electrically charged dissolved substances, or ions. It is extremely useful in laboratories, electronics, and manufacturing, but deionization is not the same as complete purification, sterilization, distillation, reverse osmosis, or ordinary household filtration. What is DI water?How it worksWhat it removesCommon usesDI vs. distilled vs. ROCan you drink it?18.2 MΩ·cm waterDI vs. Berkey What Is Deionized Water? Deionized water is water from which most dissolved ions have been removed. Depending on the source water, these can include calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and bicarbonate. Because dissolved mineral salts...

Today, many people are saying no to the use of bottled water and switching to alternative modes instead. With the information available on both print and online resources, people are getting educated about the side effects of plastic bottles in the environment. Furthermore, they are enlightened with the water quality of these products.

Many people are making the move to demand the improvement of the water quality in their communities, especially the tap water. They wish to switch to the use of tap water and save money than buy plastic bottles instead.

This article aims to know the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1996 and also discuss the water condition in America. Also, this will tackle how to find, read, and understand the information included in the water quality report. 

Energy and sports drinks are popular among students, professionals, and athletes today. Although these two drinks quench the thirst of the people, however, they are different.

According to reports, the worldwide consumption of energy and sports drinks have increased rapidly over the decade. This has been linked to fast-paced world we currently lived plus the demands at home and at work that each citizen needs to address immediately.

It seems that 24 hours is not enough and people result in energy and sports drink to boost themselves for the bulk work ahead of them. However, excessive use of energy and sports drink can have potential health risks as well. Let’s find out more in this article.

Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting and storing rainfall rather than allowing it to run off a roof or other collection surface. For many households, the most practical uses are non-drinking purposes such as landscape irrigation or other uses permitted by local regulations. Using harvested rainwater as drinking water is a much more demanding application because roof runoff can collect microorganisms, animal waste, dust, metals, roofing residues, and other contaminants before it ever reaches a storage tank. Quick answer: Rainwater harvesting can conserve water, but collected rainwater should not automatically be assumed suitable for drinking. If drinking use is...

Radon is an element which is dissolved and can sometimes be found in the water wells. You cannot smell, see, or taste radon. However, you can drink it, especially when your main water source is the water well.

Having radon in the water is one of the common problems of modern homes nowadays. This element can bring health problems in the long run.

Thus, this article aims to discuss what is radon and its sources. Also, this will tackle the health risks of radon in the water. Lastly, this will give examples on how to successfully remove or reduce radon in the water source.

Gravity water filters use the natural force of gravity to move water through filtration media without household water pressure, electricity, or a permanent plumbing connection. Their simple design makes them a practical countertop option, but performance depends on the exact filter element, source water, maintenance, and documented reduction claims. What Is a Gravity Water Filter? A gravity water filter is a filtration system in which water moves through one or more filter elements under its own weight. Many countertop systems use an upper chamber for unfiltered water and a lower chamber for filtered water. As the upper chamber drains, gravity...

School drinking fountains are an important source of hydration for children, especially during warm weather, physical education, sports, and long school days. For most schools connected to a regulated public water system, the water entering the building comes from the same municipal supply that serves nearby homes and businesses. But that does not mean every fountain at every school has identical water quality. Plumbing, fixtures, water stagnation, maintenance, and building-specific conditions can all affect the water by the time it reaches the fountain. Quick answer: A properly maintained school drinking fountain supplied by compliant public water is not inherently unsafe....

Much of the United States relies on drinking-water pipes, sewer lines, treatment plants, storage tanks, pumps, and stormwater systems installed decades ago. Although many utilities continue to provide reliable service, aging equipment, deferred maintenance, population changes, extreme weather, and rising construction costs are placing increasing pressure on the nation’s water infrastructure. The problem is largely hidden from view. Water mains and sewer pipes are buried underground, so deterioration may receive little attention until a pipe breaks, a road floods, a boil-water notice is issued, or wastewater enters a river or neighborhood. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Seventh Drinking Water Infrastructure...

Outdoor Drinking Water Guide The water feeding an outdoor spigot may come from the same municipal supply as your kitchen tap, but an ordinary garden hose is not necessarily designed for drinking water. Hose materials, fittings, water left sitting in a warm hose, and the condition of the outdoor faucet can all affect what reaches the end of the hose. In This Guide The short answer Is it the same as tap water? Hose materials & chemicals What hose testing found Why heat matters Fittings & lead Water left in the hose Drinking-water-safe hoses Kids, pets & food gardens How...

Water is one of the basic needs of the human being. We use it to quench our thirst, give energy to our body, and wash our clothes, dishes, and other parts of our home. Without water, we will die.

As years passed, the population began to grow and bodies of water become polluted. 

We need water to survive and to do that, we have to make several measures to save some of the resources that we have today.

Thus, in this article, we will discuss the causes and effects of water pollution and some of the doable solutions we can start immediately.

Floodwater Health Risks: What to Know Before, During, and After a Flood Flooding is one of the most common weather-related hazards. It can happen after heavy rain, storm surge, rapid snowmelt, blocked drainage, dam failure, or river or stream overflow. Floodwater can damage homes, disrupt power, affect transportation, and create health risks during cleanup. Even shallow floodwater can contain debris, sewage, chemicals, sharp objects, or electrical hazards. This guide explains why floodwater should be treated carefully, what health risks may be present, and how households can reduce risk before returning home or beginning cleanup. What Is Flooding? Flooding occurs when...

Water contamination underscores health safety. People consume ounces of water from a public source, and billions rely on tap water.    That is why a safe and clean water supply is vital. When water is contaminated, outrage will surely occur. Lead is a common water contaminant.    Lead is a neurotoxin found in natural deposits of elements. Lead can be found in drinking water when corrosion of faucets, plumbing, and fixtures occurs. The public's water supply will be in great trouble when this happens. This is when the drinking water gets contaminated with lead.    Pregnant women, infants, and young...