Is filtered tap water safer than bottled water?
A good carbon filter removes the main concerns. Check your local water report for PFAS or lead levels.
What's actually in it
Municipal water is treated to meet EPA standards for bacteria and many chemicals. But some contaminants are not covered by regulations, and standards for PFAS and other emerging chemicals are still being set.
PFAS contamination in drinking water is now widespread. A 2023 USGS study found PFAS in 45% of US tap water samples. Lead from aging pipes can also leach into water, especially where water is acidic.
What the research says
A 2026 study in j environ sci (china) found that inhibitory effects of biofilms on the adsorption of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances by biological activated carbon in practical drinking water.
The research at a glance
What to use instead
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