Water Quality in the Home 

*This article first appeared in the July / August Issue of KBB, the official publication of NKBA 

“Thousands have lived without love but not one without water.”

-WH Auden, famed English poet.

The importance water is so essential in kitchen and bath design that we may take for granted the central role it plays in the lives of our clients far beyond a project’s completion.

According to the CDC about 7.2 million Americans become ill every year from contaminated drinking water. Cancer causing “forever chemicals” known as PFAs & PFOs are virtually everywhere in our environment now. Scientists today estimate that more than 200,000 Americans are subject to drinking water containing levels of these chemicals that can cause long term health concerns. With the lack of government oversight in this area of public safety, it is helpful to share knowledge and information on how to mitigate risks for ourselves and our clients.

Filtration systems should be among the first considerations for any remodeling project. For areas with mineral rich water especially in coastal regions Some of the best types of filters to remove forever chemicals are granular activated carbon as well as reverse osmosis filters.

When choosing a water filter, be sure to check if it removes PFOs and PFAs, as well as other contaminates including volatile organic compounds, pharmaceuticals and hard metals.

Many designers prefer under counter / under sink solutions for water filter when a larger homewide system is not an option. Earlier this month, a review by the New York Times’ Wirecutter website ranked the Aquasana AQ-5200 as the best solution for under sink filtration.

These types of systems usually come with their own faucet, typically in chrome finish, which can be a deterrent for a selective designer who does not like to mix and match metals. Although still limited, we are happy to learn that some options on the market this year include faucets in different finishes offering more decor versatility.

As environmental concerns have led to many people using refillable water bottles, one industry leader has created an interesting innovation for residential water bottle filling stations. Elkay has introduced a bottle filling dispenser now available for residential use. Although their filtration does not remove PFOs or PFAs, it does remove sediments & other contaminants. This is an excellent addition for family homes and vacation homes, when large groups require drinking water to go.

Remember to do a little research to find out more about the filtration needs in your area to best equip your projects with proper filtration for the long term health of your clients and their families.

By Wendy Greenwald, founder and co-owner of JKB Interiors,

a full-service interior design firm in Costa Rica and the Florida Keys

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