Home Drinking Water Filtration — From Pitchers to Reverse Osmosis
Your Tap Water Is Legal. That Doesn't Mean It's Optimal.
Municipal water in the U.S. meets EPA safety standards — but those standards allow contaminants that many people would prefer not to drink. The EPA's legal limits and what independent researchers consider optimal are often very different numbers.
For example: the EPA allows up to 80 parts per billion of trihalomethanes (disinfection byproducts). The EWG's health guideline is 0.15 ppb — over 500 times lower. The EPA allows 15 ppb of lead at the tap. Most health researchers agree there is no safe level of lead in drinking water.
The question isn't whether to filter your drinking water. It's how much filtration you actually need — and that depends on your water source, your living situation, and your goals.
How Much Protection Does Your Drinking Water Need?
A pitcher improves taste — primarily chlorine. A reverse osmosis system purifies at the molecular level, certified to reduce lead, PFAS, fluoride, and dozens of other contaminants to undetectable levels. It's the same technology used in medical facilities and laboratories. If you want genuinely clean drinking water, not just better-tasting water, RO is the standard.
RO is thorough — it strips everything, including the beneficial minerals that give water its taste and that your body uses. Most RO brands solve this with synthetic mineral drops. We use sustainably sourced natural Sango Coral, which restores calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and trace ocean minerals in a naturally balanced ratio. The result is water that's pure and minerally alive — not flat.
Natural spring water is prized for two things: its mineral content and its coherence — a quality it gains from moving through rock and soil. The UMH Pure structuring device reintroduces that coherence after purification. The research on structured water is still emerging, but the feedback from our customers is consistent: a lighter, more delicate mineral taste and a noticeably improved sense of hydration. It's the final layer in our Hydration Stack — and the reason people describe it as the best water they've ever tasted.
Drinking Water Filtration — How the Options Compare
From a simple taste upgrade to the most complete drinking water system available. Every tier serves a purpose — and we'll help you find the right one.
| Solution | What It Reduces | Doesn't Address | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Pitcher (Brita-style) |
Chlorine taste & odor. Some models reduce mercury and copper. Basic taste improvement only. | Lead, PFAS, fluoride, dissolved solids, pharmaceuticals, VOCs, microplastics. Does not purify. | Better-tasting water on a minimal budget. Not a filtration solution. |
| Zero Water Pitcher $49 at GoodFor |
99.6% dissolved solids (TDS). Lead, chromium, PFAS. Built-in TDS meter verifies performance. | Shorter filter life than RO. No remineralization — water can taste flat. Not practical for high daily volume. | Renters, travelers, or anyone who wants verified filtration with zero installation. |
| Faucet Filter (PUR / Brita style) |
Chlorine taste, some lead reduction depending on model. Convenient for sink use. | Not a drinking water solution — limited contaminant coverage. Does not reduce PFAS, fluoride, TDS, or pharmaceuticals. | Handwashing, face washing, brushing teeth. Supplement, not a primary drinking water system. |
| MicroMax RO From $997 at GoodFor |
WQA certified: lead (98.7%), arsenic (98.8%), PFOA/PFOS (99%), fluoride (96.5%), VOCs, TDS, chromium, pharmaceuticals — molecular-level purification. 8500 model: NSF 42, 53, 58, 401 | 7000 model: NSF 42, 58 |
Removes beneficial minerals along with contaminants. Flat taste without remineralization. Does not treat whole home — kitchen sink only. | Homeowners and renters who want certified, lab-verified drinking water purification. Dual faucet option requires no countertop drilling. |
| Hydration StackFlagship $2,499 at GoodFor |
Everything the MicroMax 8500 reduces, plus: Sango Coral restores natural calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium & trace ocean minerals. UMH Pure adds water structuring for coherence. | Kitchen sink only — does not replace whole-home filtration. Structuring research is still emerging (positioned transparently). | The most complete drinking water system we offer. For people who want purified, remineralized, structured water — spring water principles from their kitchen tap. |
Not Sure Which Tier You Need?
Our Water Concierge can help you figure out what's in your water and which solution fits — no appointment needed.
The Dual Faucet Advantage
Choose Your Drinking Water Solution
Zero Water Pitcher
The easiest way to start drinking cleaner water — no installation, no commitment.
✓ 5-stage ion exchange filtration
✓ 99.6% dissolved solids removal
✓ Built-in TDS meter
✓ No installation needed
✓ Take anywhere
MicroMax 7000
Undersink reverse osmosis for homes that want certified drinking water purification.
✓ WQA certified: NSF 42 & 58
✓ Reduces lead 98.7%, arsenic, TDS, cysts
✓ 10-year warranty on tank & valves
✓ Assembled in Livermore, CA
✓ Optional: Add dual faucet for drill-free install ($197)
MicroMax 8500
Our broadest-certified RO — adds PFAS, fluoride, VOCs, and pharmaceutical reduction.
✓ Everything in the 7000, plus:
✓ NSF 53: PFOA/PFOS 99%, fluoride 96.5%
✓ NSF 401: pharmaceuticals, BPA, VOCs
✓ Broadest certification of any GoodFor product
✓ Optional: Add dual faucet for drill-free install ($197)
Hydration Stack
The complete drinking water system — purified, remineralized, and structured.
✓ MicroMax 8500 RO purification
✓ Sango Coral: natural ocean minerals (Ca, Mg, K, Na + trace)
✓ UMH Pure: water structuring for coherence
✓ ~$27-35/mo filter cost (less than bottled water)
✓ Optional: Add dual faucet for drill-free install ($197)
The Real Cost of Clean Drinking Water
Why Buy From a Water Company Instead of Amazon?
Which Solution Fits Your Situation?
Start with the Zero Water pitcher — it removes 99.6% of dissolved solids with no installation. If you want to go further, our MicroMax RO pairs with our 2-in-1 dual faucet — a single faucet that replaces your existing kitchen faucet and gives you two handles: one for regular water, one for purified RO water. No drilling a second hole in your countertop, no permanent modifications, no landlord conversation. When your lease ends, swap back your original faucet and take the entire system with you. It's the only renter-friendly undersink RO setup we know of. We always recommend using a licensed plumber for installation.
The MicroMax 8500 is our go-to recommendation. WQA certified to reduce lead (98.7%), PFOA/PFOS (99%), fluoride (96.5%), and more. Installs under your sink with a 10-year warranty. Add the Sango Coral remineralizer to restore minerals after purification — most of our customers do.
The Hydration Stack is our flagship — designed around the same two qualities that make natural spring water exceptional.
First, the MicroMax 8500 purifies at the molecular level. Then, sustainably sourced Sango Coral restores a natural balance of calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and trace ocean minerals.
Finally, UMH Pure structuring reintroduces coherence — the quality spring water gains from moving through rock and earth. The research on structuring is still emerging, but our customers consistently describe the difference: a lighter, more delicate taste and a noticeably improved sense of hydration.
Filter costs average $27-35/month — less than most bottled water habits.
Our MicroMax 8500 is WQA certified to reduce PFOA/PFOS by 99% (NSF/ANSI 53), lead by 98.7% (NSF/ANSI 58), and fluoride by 96.5%. For whole-home PFAS/lead protection, we also offer the Pioneer Pb add-on — certified for 99.62% lead and 97.9% PFOA/PFOS reduction. A consultation can determine the right layered approach.
If you want the highest quality drinking water, yes. Whole-home systems treat showers, laundry, and appliances but don't purify at the molecular level. An undersink RO adds that final layer specifically for drinking and cooking water. Most of our whole-home customers add an RO at the kitchen.
Start with a free consultation. We'll pull your local water data, reference the EWG Tap Water Database and your utility's Consumer Confidence Report, and help you figure out what you're dealing with before recommending anything.
How to Get Started
Figure Out What You Need
Use our Water Concierge for a quick assessment, or book a free consultation for a deeper dive into your water quality and goals.
Choose Your Solution
From a pitcher you can order right now to a full Hydration Stack — pick the tier that fits your situation and budget. Prices are on the page — no surprises.
Install & Enjoy
Pitchers need no install. RO systems install under your kitchen sink by a licensed plumber. In SoCal, Houston, and Tampa, our team handles it. Everywhere else, we ship your system and provide direct tech support with a master plumber.
what's in your water?
Drop your zip code into the chat with your concierge and check out what you're up against.
Why Buy Drinking Water Filtration From a Water Company?
We Route You Right
Most filter brands sell one product and hope it fits. If a pitcher is all you need, we'll tell you. If you need RO, whole-home, or both, we'll design the right stack.
WQA Certified
Every MicroMax certification is independently tested and publicly searchable on the WQA website. We don't make claims we can't verify.
No Drilling Required
Our optional dual faucet means no countertop modifications — renter or homeowner. Professional installation available in our local service areas, plus direct master plumber tech support for shipped systems nationwide.
One Water Company
Drinking water today, whole-home filtration tomorrow, plumbing service when you need it. We're not a one-product brand.
We Love Serving People Just Like You
Frequently Asked Questions
RO forces water through a semipermeable membrane that blocks contaminants at the molecular level — dissolved solids, heavy metals, lead, fluoride, PFAS, chlorine, pharmaceuticals, and more. It's the most thorough drinking water purification method available for home use.
That said, not all RO systems perform the same. The quality of the membrane, the number of filtration stages, and which NSF/ANSI standards a system is actually certified to meet all affect what it can reduce and by how much. That's why we always recommend looking for WQA-certified performance data — not just marketing claims.
Absolutely — this is one of the most common questions we get. Most RO systems require drilling a separate hole in your countertop for the RO tap, which isn't an option for renters. Our 2-in-1 dual faucet solves that — it replaces your existing kitchen faucet with one that has two handles: one for regular water, one for purified RO water. No drilling, no permanent modifications, and you swap your original faucet back when your lease ends. It's the reason we built it. Pair it with any MicroMax system and you have a full undersink RO setup that moves with you. We always recommend using a licensed plumber for installation.
Modern systems have improved on this, though all RO systems produce some wastewater as part of the purification process. Even so, the purified water you get costs far less than bottled water in both dollars and environmental impact.
Yes — RO removes beneficial minerals along with contaminants. That's why we offer the Sango Coral remineralizer, which adds calcium, magnesium, and trace minerals back after purification. Most of our customers add remineralization.
Significantly. A standard Brita primarily reduces chlorine taste and odor. Zero Water uses a 5-stage ion exchange system that removes 99.6% of dissolved solids — including lead, chromium, and contaminants Brita doesn't touch. The tradeoff is shorter filter life. For sustained daily use, an RO system is more economical long-term.
We always recommend using a licensed plumber for RO installation. In our local service areas (Southern California, Houston, Tampa), professional installation typically ranges from $299–$499. For shipped systems anywhere in the U.S., you'll hire a local plumber — and we offer direct tech support with a master plumber you can schedule if any questions come up during the install. If you're adding the 2-in-1 dual faucet, expect the install cost to be on the higher end of that range.
Most standard installations take 1–2 hours for a licensed plumber. Basement configurations may take longer depending on your setup. We recommend booking a consultation before purchasing so we can help you configure the best solution for your home and plumbing layout.
Once a system is installed, it cannot be returned — however, if there are ever a defective part or concern with your system, we will always work with you to make it right. We recommend booking a consultation before you buy — we'll make sure you're getting the right system for your water, your home, and your goals before anything gets installed. Our reviews reflect consistency in both quality, taste and satisfaction.
A whole-house water filter is installed at your main water line and treats all the water in your home — every shower, faucet, and appliance. It's designed primarily for chlorine, sediment, hard water, and broad contaminant reduction. A reverse osmosis system is installed at a single point of use (usually under the kitchen sink) and provides the highest level of drinking water purification, reducing dissolved solids, PFAS, lead, and more. Many homeowners use both — a whole-house filtration system for general protection and an RO system for drinking water.
For city water, start with your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it's publicly available and lists tested contaminants. You can also look up your zip code in the EWG Tap Water Database for a broader analysis. For well water, the EPA recommends testing at least once per year for bacteria, nitrates, and pH, with additional testing for arsenic, lead, and other contaminants based on your region. A professional water test gives you the most complete picture.
Looking for Something Else?
-
Whole-Home Water Filtration SystemsWhole-Home Water Filtration Systems
-
Apartment & Renter-Friendly Water SolutionsApartment & Renter-Friendly Water Solutions
-
Shower FiltersShower Filters
-
Alkaline & Mineral Restoration FiltersAlkaline & Mineral Restoration Filters
No pressure, no sales pitch. Just honest guidance from a real water company.