Here’s a question we get a lot here at Long Island Clean Water:
“If the Tap Water in Queens Is So Good, Why Should You Even Bother to Consider Filtering It?
New York City has long been proud of its drinking water, and for good reason. Much of the city’s water comes from protected reservoirs in the Catskill Mountains, traveling to homes with remarkably little treatment compared to many other cities. In fact, many experts consider New York City’s water among the best municipal drinking water systems in the world.
So if you live in Queens, why would you ever think about filtering it? The answer isn’t that New York City’s water is bad. It’s that what leaves the reservoir isn’t always exactly what comes out of your kitchen faucet. By the time water reaches your home in Queens, it has traveled through miles of underground pipes, neighborhood water mains, and your own home’s plumbing. That is quite a journey. Along that journey, several things can affect your water.
Older service lines or household plumbing may contribute metals such as lead or copper. Minerals can build up inside pipes over decades. Chlorine is added to protect the water from bacteria while it travels through the distribution system, but many homeowners dislike the taste and smell it leaves behind. In other words, the quality of the water at the treatment plant and the quality of the water at your faucet aren’t always identical.
Of course, many Queens residents will say their tap water tastes perfectly fine. Others notice a chlorine taste, occasional odors, or simply prefer the cleaner taste of filtered water. Even if the water meets all government safety standards, filtration can improve its flavor, reduce odors, and make coffee, tea, soups, and even ice cubes taste noticeably better.
Today’s Standards May Change, Tomorrow.
Water regulations continue to evolve as scientists learn more about contaminants. Compounds such as PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—have received increasing attention in recent years. While New York City regularly tests its water and complies with applicable regulations, many homeowners choose additional filtration simply because they want another layer of protection for themselves and their families. It’s less about reacting to a current problem and more about planning for the future.
Ultimately, Every Home Is Different
Even if your neighbor’s water is excellent, your home’s plumbing may tell a different story. A home built in the 1920s may have different plumbing materials than one built in the 1990s. Renovations, aging fixtures, and even the length of the water service line can all influence what reaches your tap. That’s one reason why water professionals recommend testing the water coming directly from your own faucet rather than relying solely on citywide water reports.
Peace of Mind Has Value.
For many homeowners, installing a water filtration system isn’t driven by fear. It’s driven by confidence. Knowing your family is drinking water that’s been filtered one more time before it reaches the glass can provide valuable peace of mind.
As our company founder and president Mark Shmidt puts it: “New York City has one of the finest municipal water supplies anywhere. But every home has its own plumbing system, and that’s where differences begin. A quality filtration system isn’t about criticizing the city’s water—it’s about giving homeowners the cleanest, best-tasting water possible right where they use it.”
So, Start With a Water Test
The best way to know whether filtration makes sense for your home is to have your tap water tested.A professional water analysis can identify what’s actually present in your home’s water, explain whether those findings are cause for concern, and help determine whether a filtration system would provide meaningful benefits. Because when it comes to drinking water, making decisions based on your own home’s water—not assumptions—is always the smartest approach.
