The start of a new year is a natural time to think about healthier habits and smarter home upgrades. While many people focus on food, fitness, or energy efficiency, water quality is often overlooked despite it affecting nearly every part of daily life. For homeowners, cleaner water means better taste and peace of mind. For plumbers and contractors, it’s an opportunity to offer practical, long-term solutions clients can trust.
Why Better Water Quality Should Be a Goal for 2026
Across the U.S., aging infrastructure, regional water differences, and emerging contaminants are driving renewed interest in home water filtration. Even treated municipal water can contain chlorine, sediment, or trace metals, while private wells place full responsibility for water quality on the homeowner. Improving water quality isn’t just about drinking water, it helps protect plumbing systems, improves appliance performance, and supports overall household health.
Why You Need Water Filtration Systems
Many homeowners assume that if water meets EPA standards, it’s automatically “clean enough.” In reality, those standards set minimum safety requirements. Filtration systems are designed to go a step further by improving taste, reducing odors, and lowering exposure to contaminants that may still be present in tap water.
Water filtration systems can help reduce common issues such as lead, chlorine, sediment, and certain heavy metals. Studies cited by the CDC and Consumer Reports show that properly selected systems can significantly reduce lead and other harmful substances when installed and maintained correctly.
How Water Filtration Systems Work
Most residential water filtration systems rely on a combination of filtration methods:
- Sediment filtration removes sand, rust, and debris.
- Carbon filtration reduces chlorine, improves taste, and targets organic chemicals.
- Reverse osmosis (RO) uses a semi-permeable membrane to reduce dissolved solids, heavy metals, and other microscopic contaminants.
For homes on private wells, systems may be selected to address iron, sediment, or other source-specific concerns, making water filtration systems for well water especially important. Matching the filtration method to the actual water quality issue is the key to effective results.
Whole House vs Point-of-Use Water Filtration Systems
A whole house water filtration system treats all incoming water, helping protect pipes, fixtures, and appliances throughout the home. These systems are often used where sediment, minerals, or chemical treatment affects water quality everywhere, not just at the kitchen sink.
Point-of-use systems, such as under-sink filters or reverse osmosis units, focus on drinking and cooking water. They’re typically more affordable, easier to install, and ideal for homeowners who want high-quality water at the tap without modifying their entire plumbing system. Point-of-use filtration is also commonly used for specific needs like an ice machine water filtration system, ensuring better-tasting ice and beverages.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water Filtration Systems
Reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration systems are widely considered one of the most effective options for drinking water. By combining multiple filtration stages with an RO membrane, these systems reduce a broad range of contaminants and deliver consistent water quality. Under-sink and tankless designs make RO systems easier to install and maintain, earning them a place among the best under sink water filtration systems for homes and remodel projects alike.
Top Water Filtration Systems Available at Plumbing Deals
Sterling Water Treatment QCRO Series 5-Stage Reverse Osmosis System
The Sterling QCRO is a dependable under-sink reverse osmosis system designed to deliver clean, great-tasting drinking water through a multi-stage filtration process that reduces sediment, chlorine, and dissolved solids.
Why buyers choose it: Ideal for homeowners who want reliable reverse osmosis performance without a premium price tag. Contractors appreciate its compact design, quick-change filters, and straightforward installation, making it a solid choice for everyday point-of-use applications.
Brizo Pristive Tankless Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
The Brizo Pristive is a premium, tankless RO system designed for high performance and modern kitchens. It delivers on-demand filtered water without a storage tank, saving space while maintaining advanced contaminant reduction.
Why buyers choose it: Homeowners looking for a sleek, high-end solution often gravitate toward Brizo. For plumbers, this system is well-suited for upscale remodels where performance, aesthetics, and ease of maintenance matter just as much as filtration quality.
Delta Clarifi Tankless Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
The Delta Clarifi tankless reverse osmosis system offers advanced filtration in a compact under-sink footprint, balancing performance and value for everyday use.
Why buyers choose it: A strong option for homeowners who want modern RO technology at a more approachable price. Plumbers often recommend it for kitchen upgrades where space is limited and dependable drinking water filtration is a priority.
Environmental Water Systems Essential Max Flow Drinking Water Filtration System
The EWS Essential Max Flow is an under-sink, point-of-use drinking water system that uses advanced carbon filtration to reduce chlorine and chemical contaminants while maintaining strong flow and minimizing water waste.
Why buyers choose it: This system appeals to homeowners who want cleaner-tasting water without the wastewater associated with RO systems. It’s also a practical option for contractors seeking a simple, efficient filtration upgrade with minimal maintenance.
The Importance of Filtration Maintenance
Proper water filtration maintenance is essential for long-term performance. Scheduling a filter replacement varies based on system type, water quality, and household usage. Staying on schedule helps maintain flow rate, filtration effectiveness, and overall system reliability. Periodic water testing, especially after installation or changes in water source, helps ensure continued performance.
Start the Year with Smarter Water Choices
Choosing the right water filtration system is one of the most practical upgrades homeowners and professionals can make in the new year. Whether the goal is healthier drinking water or reliable systems to recommend to customers, understanding filtration basics and selecting proven products makes all the difference. With trusted options available at Plumbing Deals, cleaner water is an achievable goal for 2026.
