Question by stacey

Before you buy a filtering system, find out what contaminants have been detected in your water. Call your local water utility and ask for a copy of their annual water quality report. That will tell you which contaminants have been found in your water supply and then you can look for a filtration system that's certified to remove them. Read NRDC's Consumer Guide to Water Filters for more information.  
 
An inexpensive countertop filter pitcher reduces or removes most metals, chlorine and other common contaminants. Most countertop and faucet water filters are activated carbon filters, which will get rid of bad tastes and odors as well as many impurities. Brita pitchers, for example, reduce chlorine, lead, copper, cadmium, mercury and benzene. Brita faucet filters reduce chlorine, lead, asbestos, benzene, TTHMs and Cryptosporidium Giardia, according to their website.  
 
Filters that are certified as meeting NSF/ANSI standard 53 treat water for health reasons, not just taste and appearance. The NSF certification program provides some assurance that some of the claims made by the manufacturer have been verified.