I Finally Replaced Our Old Water Filter: Why We Upgraded Our Family’s Drinking Water
For years, I knew our water filter was something we should probably upgrade.
And for years, I put it off.
The filter worked. The water tasted fine. Nothing was obviously wrong. Like many household decisions, it kept getting pushed down the list behind a hundred other things that felt more urgent.
But then I started learning more about what can be found in drinking water — things like PFAS ("forever chemicals"), microplastics, and other contaminants that we may be exposed to every single day.
That changed how I thought about our water.
This wasn't about creating a perfectly "clean" home or worrying about every possible exposure. It was about looking at the things our family interacts with constantly and asking:
"Where can we make a simple improvement that actually matters?"
Water felt like one of the easiest places to start.
We drink it every day. We cook with it. We fill water bottles for school and activities. Our kids drink it.
So after years of putting it off, I finally replaced our old water filter with an under-sink reverse osmosis system: the AquaTru Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier Gen 2.
Why We Decided to Upgrade Our Water Filter
When I started researching water filtration, I quickly realized that not all filters are designed to remove the same things.
A basic carbon filter can improve taste and reduce some contaminants, but I wanted something that addressed my biggest concerns:
1. PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")
PFAS are a large group of man-made chemicals that have been used for decades in products designed to resist water, stains, grease, and heat.
The concern with PFAS is that they are persistent — they do not easily break down in the environment — and many people are exposed through everyday sources, including drinking water.
For our family, this was one of the biggest reasons I started paying closer attention.
2. Microplastics
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that have become an increasing concern because they are now found throughout the environment, including water sources.
As parents, we are already trying to reduce unnecessary plastic exposure where we can. Improving the water our family drinks felt like a practical step.
How I Chose Our New Water Filter
One thing I quickly learned during this process:
Choosing a water filter can be confusing.
There are hundreds of products making different claims, and "clean water" means different things depending on what you are trying to remove.
I used the Environmental Working Group's (EWG) Water Filter Guide as one of my main resources.
Their guide helped me understand:
What contaminants were a concern
What different filtration methods actually remove
Why looking beyond marketing claims matters
The biggest takeaway:
Don't just buy a filter. Choose a filter based on the contaminants you actually want to reduce.
Why We Chose the AquaTru Under Sink Reverse Osmosis System
After researching different options, we decided an under-sink reverse osmosis system was the right fit for our family.
The reasons:
It filters the water we actually drink
I liked the idea of having filtered water directly from our kitchen faucet rather than relying on a countertop pitcher that we constantly had to refill.
It addresses our biggest concerns
Reverse osmosis systems are designed to reduce a wide range of contaminants, including many that standard filters may not target.
For us, that included the concerns we cared most about:
PFAS
microplastics
other unwanted contaminants
It was a realistic upgrade
One thing I have learned through our low-tox journey:
The best changes are usually the ones you will actually maintain.
A complicated system that becomes annoying won't last.
This was a one-time upgrade that quietly improves something we use every day.
What I Would Do Differently
If I could go back, I probably would have done this sooner.
Water is one of those low-tox swaps that feels overwhelming at first, but once it's done, you barely think about it.
There is no new habit to remember.
No complicated routine.
No daily effort.
Just better-filtered water every time we turn on the faucet.
Where to Start If You're Thinking About Upgrading Your Water
You don't need to immediately replace everything in your home.
A simple place to start:
Find out what is in your local water supply
Identify the contaminants you are most concerned about
Choose a filtration method designed to address those concerns
Pick something your family will actually use consistently
For us, upgrading our drinking water was one of those simple changes that checked all the boxes:
✔ Used every day
✔ Benefited the whole family
✔ Reduced exposure to things we wanted to avoid
✔ Required almost no ongoing effort
Sometimes the best low-tox swaps are not the trendy ones.
They are the ones hiding in plain sight.
Sources & Resources
Environmental Working Group Water Filter Guide: https://www.ewg.org/tapwater/water-filter-guide.php
AquaTru Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier: https://aquatruwater.com/products/under-sink-reverse-osmosis-water-purifier-gen-2
As always, this is our personal experience and research — not medical advice. We believe in making informed choices that work for your family, one practical swap at a time.
