Drinking water quality problems today are subject to many contaminants. Whether on a well or a municipal system, you run the risk of encountering a variety of dangerous chemicals and contaminants. These include lead, pharmaceuticals, arsenic, bacteria, and more!

For Basic Information about Regulated Water Quality Problems, Contaminants, and Indicators, or complete information tables on water contaminants, including Microorganisms, Disinfection Byproducts, Disinfectants, Inorganic Chemicals, Organic Chemicals, and Radionuclides.

Before You Buy

Unless you look closely, many systems will appear to be the same. The question you need to ask is this: “Do they perform the same?” One way you can tell is to check to see if they are certified. Adhering to the requirements of strict public health performance standards developed by NSF International. NSF is an internationally recognized, not-for-profit, third-party organization. NSF has more than 50 years of experience in testing and certifying products to ensure they meet strict public health standards. NSF tests and certifies products to verify they meet these standards.

The result for you – the assurance that a system will do what it says it will do. Other laboratories can test against the standards. NSF Certifies systems through an extensive evaluation and testing process that ensures the systems meet a series of stringent requirements. Only those that meet all of these requirements become NSF Certified. The process doesn’t end here, however.

NSF Certification means systems must continue to meet these requirements, which is why NSF conducts unannounced inspections of manufacturing facilities. Some other testing labs may not do this-they may only test systems against portions of the standards. For a system to become NSF Certified, it must meet not one, but five basic requirements.

The first requirement assures you that contaminant reduction claims are true. The second assures you that the system does not add anything harmful to the water. The third assures you the system is structurally sound. The fourth assures you that advertising, literature, and labeling are not misleading. And finally, the fifth assures you that the materials and manufacturing process used don’t change, meaning consistent product quality over time. Only NSF puts systems through this comprehensive process to assure you that systems will perform as claimed.

Some products are “NSF Certified.” Others say they’re “Tested to NSF Standards.” What’s the difference? Ask yourself the questions in the above chart to the right.

To make sure the system you buy is “NSF Certified,” check for the NSF Mark on the product. Avoid water quality problems and be assured of product performance!

Make Your Water The Best It Can Be