Learn About Water Quality

In-depth guides on water quality, treatment options, and how to make the right decision for your home.

Hard Water and Hair

How hard water affects hair and the most effective treatments.

Hard Water and Skin

Hard water and skin health, eczema connection, and solutions.

How Hard Water Destroys Appliances and What It Costs

The dollar impact of hard water on water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.

PFAS and Pregnancy

PFAS in drinking water during pregnancy and how to reduce exposure.

Well Water vs. City Water

How private well water differs from municipal supply and what to test for.

How to Read Your Water Quality Report (CCR)

A guide to understanding your city's Consumer Confidence Report and what the numbers mean.

Water Softener Installation Cost

Real costs for water softener installation, maintenance, and ongoing expenses.

What Size Water Softener Do I Need? Sizing Calculator

How to calculate the right water softener grain capacity for your household.

Reverse Osmosis Water Filters

How RO systems work, when you need one, and what to look for.

Do Shower Filters Work? What They Remove and What They Don't

The truth about shower head filters for hard water, chlorine, and skin health.

How to Test Your Water at Home

Home water testing methods, what to test for, and how to interpret results.

Salt-Based vs. Salt-Free Water Softeners

The real differences between ion exchange softeners and TAC conditioners.

Chloramine vs. Chlorine in Tap Water

How chloramine disinfection differs from chlorine and why it matters for filtration.

Is Hard Water Safe for Pets?

How hard water affects dogs, cats, and other pets, and when to worry.

Hard Water and Laundry

How hard water affects washing machines and fabric, and what to do about it.

How to Remove Hard Water Stains from Glass, Tile, and Fixtures

Proven methods to remove white mineral deposits from shower doors, faucets, and tile.

Does Hard Water Affect Coffee and Tea Taste?

How water hardness changes the flavor of coffee and tea, and what baristas recommend.

Hard Water and Tankless Water Heaters

Why tankless water heaters are especially vulnerable to hard water damage and scale.

Hard Water Map of the United States

Where hard water is worst in the US. Regional breakdown by state and geology.

Water Hardness Conversion

Convert water hardness between PPM, GPG, mg/L, and mmol/L with explanation of each unit.

Best Water Filters for PFAS Removal

Which filter technologies remove PFAS and how to verify certification.

Lead in Water

How to identify, test for, and address lead contamination in older homes.

Nitrate in Drinking Water

Why nitrate matters, especially for infants, and how to reduce it.

Arsenic in Drinking Water

How arsenic enters well water and what removes it.

Disinfection Byproducts (THMs and HAAs)

How chlorine creates potentially harmful byproducts in tap water.

Fluoride in Drinking Water

The science on water fluoridation and options if you want to remove it.

Iron in Well Water

How to identify and treat iron contamination in your water.

Manganese in Drinking Water

How manganese affects water quality and when it becomes a health concern.

Rotten Egg Smell in Water

Why your water smells like sulfur and how to eliminate hydrogen sulfide.

Whole-House Water Filter Guide

How whole-house filtration works, when you need one, and what to look for.

Under-Sink Water Filters

Complete guide to point-of-use water filtration for drinking and cooking.

Water Softener Maintenance

How to maintain a water softener for maximum lifespan and performance.

Water Softener Salt

Which salt type is best for your water softener and why it matters.

Water Conditioner vs. Water Softener

Understanding the real difference between salt-free conditioners and salt-based softeners.

Sizing a Water Softener for Well Water

Special considerations for sizing softeners when you have iron, manganese, or tannins.

Do Magnetic Water Softeners Work? The Science Says No

The truth about magnetic and electronic water descalers.

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in the US?

The real answer on US tap water safety, what the EPA does and does not regulate, and when to worry.

Water Quality During Pregnancy

What to test for, what to avoid, and how to protect yourself during pregnancy.

What Water Should I Use for Baby Formula?

Safe water for infant formula: what to avoid and what works.

How Water Quality Affects Cooking

Why the water you cook with matters and how to improve it.

Bottled Water vs. Tap Water

Comparing safety, quality, cost, and environmental impact.

Moving to a New City? Check the Water First

How to evaluate water quality before or after moving to a new home.

Where Does Your Tap Water Come From?

Understanding surface water vs. groundwater sources and why it matters for quality.

Are Water Softeners Bad for the Environment?

The environmental debate over water softeners: salt discharge, water waste, and alternatives.

Microplastics in Tap Water

What we know about microplastic contamination in drinking water.

Forever Chemicals (PFAS) Explained

What PFAS are, where they come from, and why they are called forever chemicals.

Water Quality Solutions for Renters

How to improve your water quality when you cannot install permanent systems.

Water Treatment for Vacation Homes and Seasonal Properties

Special considerations for homes that sit unused for weeks or months.

How to Read Water Softener Specifications

Understanding grain capacity, flow rate, salt efficiency, and warranty terms.

How Water Quality Affects Home Value

The hidden impact of hard water, PFAS, and lead on property values.

Best Water Quality Cities in the US (2025 Rankings)

Which US cities have the cleanest, softest, safest drinking water?

Worst Water Quality Cities in the US (2025)

Which cities have the hardest, most contaminated tap water?

Emergency Water Storage

Preparing a home water supply for emergencies and natural disasters.

Best Water Testing Labs

Certified labs for home water testing and what each test costs.

Complete Well Water Treatment System Guide

How to design a treatment system for private well water.

City Water vs. Well Water

The real estate implications of being on municipal water versus a private well.

Protecting Your Water Heater from Hard Water Damage

How to extend water heater life in hard water areas.

10 Signs You Need a Water Softener

How to tell if hard water is causing problems in your home.

Water Softener Myths Debunked

Common misconceptions about water softeners and the truth behind each.

Water Filter Certifications Explained

What NSF and ANSI certifications mean and which ones matter.

What Are Grains Per Gallon (GPG)? Water Hardness Explained

Understanding the GPG measurement used in water softener sizing.