Should I Filter My Tap Water?

What are the benefits of water filtration, and is it necessary?

Home water filtration systems have increased in popularity since 2020. However, are these systems worth the cost, and are they even necessary? 

For most homes in the ACSA coverage region, the answer is no! That’s because the water that reaches your home through ACSA’s system is already heavily filtered and treated to remove the most common and harmful pollutants — from sediment like dirt and pollen to microparticles such as lead, bacteria and microplastics.

However, if you are thinking about adding a water filtration system to your home, here are some important questions to consider. 

What is the quality of ACSA water?

All municipal water authorities in the United States are required by law to test and treat public water supplies for numerous harmful chemicals and pollutants. However, ACSA prides itself on going above and beyond those minimum requirements to provide our citizens water that is of consistently high quality, as shown by the annual water quality reports available on our website.

That quality is the result of the modern equipment and systems we use to deliver water from natural sources to your home. It also speaks to the scrupulous processes we and our wholesale supplier, Rivanna Water & Sewer Authority, have in place. We monitor and test at various stages of collection, filtration and treatment — all before water ever reaches your tap. We proactively test and treat for lead, copper, fluoride, many types of harmful bacteria, and other dangerous compounds such as PFAS. In the rare instance that a contaminant is detected, our infrastructure and processes enable us to provide uninterrupted water service to all of our residents.

The bottom line is that while water filtration systems may provide certain additional benefits for your home, they are not necessary for ACSA residents. 

What benefit would a home filtration provide in addition to what ACSA already does?

When it comes to homes in ACSA service areas, the main benefits of a water filtration system would come down to personal taste, as opposed to health and safety. Water quality experts recommend these systems to address water that tastes bad, has an odor or is discolored. Filtration may also be suggested if residents have concerns about specific contaminants that may irritate certain health conditions.

Fortunately, ACSA water is clean, safe and healthy to drink straight out of the tap.

However, if you are interested in installing a home filtration system, there are products that may make slight changes to how your water tastes — especially if your sense of taste and smell is sensitive to compounds like chlorine. And while there are also systems that can “soften” your water by removing minerals that can cause “hard water buildup” stains. 

ACSA water is already soft!

With all of this in mind, if you notice odd tastes, smells, discoloration or cloudiness in your water, you could have a problem with the plumbing in your home. If you believe there is an issue, give us a call. We will be glad to help troubleshoot!

What should I look for when installing a water filtration system?

Home water filtration systems can be costly, so it’s important to compare the true benefits with cost. Systems can be as simple as a water filter pitcher or a faucet-mounted water filter. More complex setups might include an under-sink water filter system or a whole-house water filter system. 

So, what is the best home water filtration system? It depends on your goals. Different filtration systems treat specific contaminants while omitting others. For example, activated carbon can reduce chlorine but not bacteria, while UV filters kill bacteria but not chemicals. All home filtration systems also require upkeep, whether that’s periodic replacement of filters or maintenance of mechanical and electrical components. 

To reiterate, homes in ACSA’s service area do not require additional water filtration unless residents have a specific health concern or taste/smell sensitivity. 

ACSA prides itself on providing residents with clean, safe drinking water that is of consistently high quality, and our track record bears that out. Home water filtration systems can provide certain additional benefits, but it’s important not to get fooled into installing expensive systems that provide minimal impact. Our water is among the cleanest and safest in Virginia because we do the majority of filtration and monitoring for you. Let us keep doing the hard work so that all you have to do is turn on the tap!

Visit the ACSA website for more tips and resources!