Choose a water filter for the job it can actually do
Water can taste fine and still be unsafe. Start with the local advisory, then check whether your filter is made to handle the problem.
Start with the local advisory
Boil-water, do-not-drink, and do-not-use advisories call for different precautions. Follow the instructions for your area. During a drinking-water advisory, avoid water and ice from appliances connected to the water line. Keep a separate supply of safe drinking water.
Check what the filter removes
Some filters mainly improve taste. Others remove particular germs or chemicals. Read the contaminant-reduction claims and relevant certifications for the exact model. A filter that removes bacteria may not remove viruses, and one product’s claims do not apply to every filter from the same brand.
Follow boil-water instructions even with a filter
During a boil-water advisory, tap water still needs boiling after it passes through a home filter or pitcher. If bottled water is unavailable and officials advise boiling, bring water to a rolling boil for one minute, or three minutes above 6,500 feet, then let it cool. Follow any additional local instructions.
Treat chemical contamination differently
Boiling or disinfecting water does not make water containing fuel, toxic chemicals, or radioactive materials safe. Use bottled water or another safe supply and follow health-department instructions. Do not assume a portable filter makes floodwater safe to drink.
Keep treated water clean
Follow the filter’s priming, cleaning, backflushing, replacement, and storage directions. Keep untreated collection equipment separate from clean containers. Water-storage containers are sold empty; you will still need safe water to fill them.
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