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dryerasenerd t1_j6d8muf wrote

IIRC water treatment plants are required to send out water test results on a regular basis and it's probably on their website.

If you need more testing or are concerned about your own water then you should get a test kit from a lab. Not a free one, those are usually scams. You could also use water test strips which work okay but it depends on the specific thing you are looking for.

Whole home filtration is generally a waste of water and money. Generally simple fridge filters can handle any taste you don't like. For larger problems under the sink filters are generally fine.

If you have lead pipes or something it's generally a better idea to replace the pipes. With pex tubing it is something that you might be able to do yourself or for pretty cheap.

Source: I'm a chemist and keep an aquarium.

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vc1914 t1_j6degeq wrote

Is there an argument to still get a whole home filtration system if your town has high levels of pfos/pfas?

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dryerasenerd t1_j6dj1pb wrote

No. Filter the water you drink. Filtering the water that you flush and wash with is a waste.

NJ also has the most strict PFAS/PFOS requirement in the nation.

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The0Walrus OP t1_j6dl86n wrote

That's an interesting take. I have been fixing up my house and thought about just making sure I have good water system. Those home kits I find on Amazon, are they any good?

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dryerasenerd t1_j6dqk5m wrote

I can't speak to the quality of any tests but you should start with your towns test results and see what you might need to be more sensitive for. Check for standards and certs like NSF

For most things a simple carbon filter will be enough and under the sink or inline systems can be installed cheaply and easily without wasting resources where it's not needed.

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