Many homeowners use "filtered" and "purified" interchangeably, but these terms describe meaningfully different levels of water treatment — and choosing the wrong one for your situation could leave your family exposed to contaminants you thought were gone.
What Is Filtered Water?
Filtered water has passed through a physical or chemical medium that removes specific contaminants. The effectiveness depends entirely on the filter type. A basic carbon filter removes chlorine and some volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A 5-micron sediment filter removes particles. Neither, however, removes dissolved salts, nitrates, arsenic, or PFAS compounds.
What Is Purified Water?
Purified water has been processed to remove virtually all contaminants — including dissolved solids, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemical compounds. Reverse osmosis (RO) and distillation are the two most common purification methods. RO systems, like the Evolve Ultro we install, can remove up to 99% of dissolved contaminants.
Which Does Northern Nevada Need?
Reno and surrounding areas face a combination of challenges: hard water, chlorine disinfection byproducts, naturally occurring arsenic, and emerging contaminants like PFAS. For most households, a combination approach works best — a whole-house softener or filter to address hardness and chlorine throughout the home, plus an under-sink RO system for the purest possible drinking water.
The best way to know exactly what your water needs? A free water test from our team. We'll test your specific water chemistry and recommend a solution that's right-sized for your situation.