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Choosing a Home Water Filter and Other Water Treatment Options

Illustration of woman shopping for drinking water filters

Choosing a Home Water Filter and Other Water Treatment Options

Choosing the right home water filter and treatment option is important! There are things to consider before you pick out what you need. Call the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline for questions or assistance at 844-934-1315..
  • Knowing if contaminants are in your water, and which ones, can help you decide if you need a water filter or treatment option. Be sure you know where your water comes from and are familiar with the quality of the water. Remember, there are three water supply types that Michiganders’ drinking water can come from:

  • Home water filter or treatment options depend on what contaminants and how much of the contaminants are found in your water. Visit the drinking water testing page for details on testing your drinking water. 
  • Once you know what contaminant(s) are in your water, you can determine what water filter is appropriate for your drinking water. No single filter can reduce all contaminants. Feel free to call your local health department or the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315 for help deciding which filter is best for you based on your concerns.

    Water Filters

    Point-of-Use: These are filters that can reduce contaminants at the point water is used. Some examples are faucet mounts, pitchers, and reverse osmosis.

    Water Treatment

    Point-of-Entry: These are filters that can reduce contaminants as the water enters the house. They are sometimes called whole house filters. Some examples are water softeners and whole house reverse osmosis systems.

     

     

    Look for filters that are tested and certified to meet the NSF/ANSI Standards to reduce the targeted contaminant. This factsheet about filters for lead provides an example of what symbols and information to look for.

  • Make sure you follow the water filter's manufacturing instructions for installing, operating, and maintaining it. If not followed correctly, your filter may not reduce the contaminant as expected.

To stay up to date with current resources and opportunities being offered through the program, subscribe to the Drinking Water and Health newsletter.

If you have questions, please contact the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.