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Solutions & Filtration

Filter types, certifications, and bottled-water marketing translated into what actually does what — without endorsing any specific brand.

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6 min read
May 8, 2026

Every water filter type, decoded: what they actually remove and what the certifications mean

Activated carbon, reverse osmosis, ion exchange, ultraviolet, distillation, and the dozen 'patented' marketing twists in between. Here is what each filter type physically does, which contaminants it removes (and doesn't), and which NSF/ANSI certifications are worth looking for on the box.