Clean Water, Less WasteClean Water, Less Waste

Editorial Policy

Purpose and standards

Clean Water, Less Waste exists to help you choose water filtration based on certified performance, true lifecycle cost, and waste footprint—not marketing claims. Our editorial work is guided by independence, rigor, and clarity so you can verify every recommendation.

Independence and funding

  • We do not accept payment for placement, ranking, or inclusion.
  • We may use affiliate links. If you purchase through those links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence our research priorities, scoring, or recommendations.
  • We do not run advertorials. Sponsored content, if ever present, will be clearly labeled and kept separate from reviews and guides.

Product selection

We prioritize products that: (1) have relevant NSF/ANSI certifications for the contaminants in question, (2) publish transparent performance data, (3) offer clear maintenance schedules and replacement availability, and (4) minimize waste (higher RO recovery, recyclable housings, longer‑life cartridges).

Verification and evidence

  • Certifications: We verify claims against official listings (e.g., NSF/ANSI 42/53/58/401/P231/P473/P477 and relevant state certifications). We note certificate numbers or listing IDs where available.
  • Data sources: manufacturer datasheets, standard listings, lab reports, municipal Consumer Confidence Reports, peer‑reviewed literature, and regulator advisories.
  • Conflicting claims: we resolve discrepancies by deferring to the certifying body or independent lab results; otherwise, we label claims as unverified.

Review and scoring process

  • We evaluate certified reduction performance, flow/pressure impact, taste and odor, installation complexity (owner/renter), maintenance burden, true cost‑per‑gallon over 1–5 years, and waste footprint (plastic mass per gallon, RO recovery and reject ratio).
  • Scores and rankings are explained in plain language; calculators expose key assumptions (usage, water quality, capacity, replacement intervals).
  • Where hands‑on testing is conducted, we describe the setup and limits. Where bench or third‑party lab data is used, we cite it and link when possible.

Hands‑on testing and samples

  • We buy test units at retail when possible. Loaner units or samples do not guarantee coverage or positive outcomes.
  • Vendors cannot preview or edit reviews. If a factual correction is warranted, we will verify and update with an editorial note.

Updates and corrections

  • We refresh major guides at least annually or when standards, certifications, or models change.
  • Corrections are timestamped with a brief note describing what changed and why.

Conflicts of interest

  • Team members disclose potential conflicts (employment, consulting, investments). Individuals with conflicts are walled off from related coverage.

Advertising and affiliate disclosure

  • Ads (if present) are labeled and separated from editorial content.
  • Affiliate links are disclosed near the first occurrence in an article and on this page. Tracking for attribution may place a cookie; see our Privacy Policy.

Use of AI and automation

  • We may use AI tools for research assistance or copy edits. Final recommendations, scores, and conclusions are always made and fact‑checked by a human editor with relevant domain expertise.

User contributions and comments

  • When we invite user reviews or comments, we moderate for relevance and civility. We may edit for length or clarity while preserving meaning.

Accessibility and inclusivity

  • We strive for plain‑language explanations and accessible formats. If something isn’t clear, tell us and we’ll improve it.

Contact the editors

Report errors, request clarifications, or suggest sources at [email protected]. We review all editorial feedback and respond as soon as possible.