Whole-house water filtration
Whole-house water filtration means a carbon filter tank on your main water line. Water passes through a bed of activated carbon, which takes out the chlorine taste and smell at every tap and shower in the house.
Chlorine or chloramine
Utilities disinfect water with chlorine or with chloramine, which is chlorine combined with ammonia. Chloramine lasts longer in the pipes and is harder to filter out.
St. Louis City's 2025 water quality report lists chloramines at 1.84 to 3.44 parts per million in its distribution system. St. Louis City sells water to PWSD 2, St. Peters and the City of St. Charles.
City of St. Louis 2025 water quality report
The other local reports do not name their disinfectant, so we test for both at your tap before we recommend a filter. Chloramine calls for a different kind of carbon, called catalytic carbon, and a larger tank.
Why size matters
Carbon needs time in contact with the water to work. A tank that is too small lets water rush through. We size the tank to the number of bathrooms and how much water your home uses at once.
What it does not do
- It does not soften water. Scale and spots need a softener.
- It does not disinfect water or remove bacteria.
- It is not a substitute for boiling during a boil water advisory.
- We do not call the assembled tank a certified system, because it is not listed as one.
Often paired with a softener
Many homes on hard, chlorinated water use two tanks: carbon for taste and smell, and a softener for scale. We will tell you whether you need one, both or neither.
Common questions
Is chlorine in tap water safe?
Utilities add it to keep water safe on its way to you, and federal rules cap how much can remain in the water. Some people simply do not like the taste or smell.
How often does the carbon need replacing?
It depends on the tank size and how much water you use. We give you the expected schedule with your quote.
Will it lower my water pressure?
A correctly sized tank should not cause a drop you notice. That is one reason sizing matters.
Find out how hard your water is.
The test is free, it takes place at your kitchen sink, and you see the numbers yourself.