Guides
Water, explained without the jargon
Every guide is checked against primary sources from regulators and science agencies, and dated so you know it's current.
How to read your water quality report
Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report answers most tap water questions — if you know where to look. Here's a column-by-column walkthrough.
8 min read · Updated Nov 15, 2026
LeadLead in tap water
Lead gets into water from pipes, not the treatment plant. How to identify a lead service line, what the new 10 ppb rule means, and the steps that actually lower exposure.
9 min read · Updated Nov 15, 2026
PFASPFAS in drinking water
PFOA and PFOS limits stay at 4 parts per trillion, but deadlines may move to 2031. What PFAS are, how to check your utility, and which filters are proven to remove them.
8 min read · Updated Nov 15, 2026
HardnessHard water guide
About 85% of U.S. homes have some degree of hard water. Here's how to measure it, what it does to your home, and how to decide between a softener, a conditioner or doing nothing.
7 min read · Updated Nov 15, 2026
FiltersWater filter certifications decoded
The label 'removes 99% of contaminants' means nothing without the right certification. Here's what each NSF/ANSI standard covers and how to verify a filter in two minutes.
7 min read · Updated Nov 15, 2026
WellsWell water testing checklist
Private wells aren't covered by federal drinking water rules — the owner is the water utility. What to test every year, every few years, and after floods or repairs.
7 min read · Updated Nov 15, 2026
SafetyBoil water advisory: what to do
Got a boil-water notice? How long to boil, what's safe for brushing teeth, dishes, baby formula and pets, and what to flush when the advisory lifts.
5 min read · Updated Nov 15, 2026
SavingsCut your water bill
Leaks, old toilets and long showers cost the average household hundreds a year. Here are 12 fixes ranked by how fast they pay for themselves.
6 min read · Updated Nov 15, 2026
BasicsTap vs bottled water
Bottled water isn't automatically safer than tap, and it can cost hundreds of times more. How the rules compare, what's in each, and when bottled makes sense.
6 min read · Updated Nov 15, 2026