Remineralizing RO Water

Remineralizing RO Water

The official Culligan blog has been busy lately with their newest blog post doubling as product positioning for their remineralization-equipped RO systems. Culligan explains that while RO effectively removes harmful contaminants like lead, nitrates, and arsenic, it also strips beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium, leaving water with a "neutral or flat taste" and potentially acidic pH. The guide breaks down four remineralization methods: mineral drops for flexibility but requiring manual dosing per glass, mineral-rich salts like Himalayan salt that add sodium concerns, alkaline water pitchers for small households but with limited capacity, and remineralization cartridges for automatic mineral restoration. Culligan positions the cartridge approach as "the most convenient and consistent solution" since it works automatically as the final filtration stage without manual dosing. The piece highlights what the team believes is a competitive advantage: Culligan's Aquasential systems include optional remineralization filters that restore calcium and magnesium automatically.

EPA Proposes Changes to PFAS Reporting

WaterWorld reports on the EPA's proposal to revise PFAS reporting requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act, aiming to reduce the compliance burden while maintaining some key data collection. The original 2023 rule required companies that manufactured or imported PFAS between 2011-2022 to report detailed production, exposure, and health impact information, creating nearly a $1 billion compliance burden on industry. Administrator Lee Zeldin said the new proposal would "collect the information we need to help combat PFAS contamination without placing ridiculous requirements on manufacturers, especially the small businesses that drive our country's economy." The revised rule would exempt several low-risk activities from PFAS reporting, including PFAS in mixtures or products at concentrations of 0.1% or lower, imported articles, certain byproducts and impurities, research and development chemicals, and non-isolated intermediates. EPA also plans technical corrections to clarify reporting expectations and adjust submission timelines.

Waterdrop RO Review

Water Filter Guru's Brian Campbell is back with a new in-depth review of Waterdrop's $650 A1 reverse osmosis system, giving it a 9.12 overall score. The unit removed 100% of metals, minerals, and inorganics from Campbell's Colorado water during lab testing, including uranium and fluoride that exceeded health guidelines, plus it offers hot and cold water dispensing from 41°F to 203°F. That said, Campbell notes a big weakness: unlike most competitors, the A1 has no built-in remineralization filter and no option to add one, leaving water acidic at pH 6.5 and requiring users to add their own mineral drops or secondary treatment. The system has only NSF 58 certification for TDS reduction rather than the comprehensive contaminant certifications that competitors like AquaTru offer, which Campbell says is disappointing for a $650 system. Campbell’s maintenance cost analysis came in at $0.269 per gallon, making it one of the most affordable countertop RO systems to maintain and with filters lasting 6-12 months.

Budget-Friendly Water Treatment

Long Island Clean Water Service wrote a guide all about budget-friendly water treatment solutions that aims to maximize long-term savings for homeowners. The company positions water testing as the crucial first step, noting that "knowing your specific issues is the first step toward choosing the right system" so customers "don't pay for features you don't need." Their approach emphasizes the importance of proper system sizing, explaining that many homeowners overspend by choosing units that are too large or not suited to their water usage patterns. The post also explains their financing strategy: they actively promote financing options like special offers from Lowe's to overcome upfront cost barriers, positioning better systems as accessible through monthly payments rather than large lump sums. The company also emphasizes bottled water replacement as a key value proposition, noting that many families can recoup system costs through eliminated bottled water purchases alone.

What else is happening:

• Meteored reports that MIT engineers have developed a new ultrasonic device that pulls drinking water from the air in minutes

• WQA Podcast dropped their latest episode titled Inside Washington: 2025 Water Policy Recap (24 min)

• Alamo Water Softeners asks and answers: is your old water filter still removing PFAS?

• Cali-based Praz Pure Water breaks down RO system installation cost and what to expect