Best Water Filters for Sacramento, Certified for PFAS
Matched to Sacramento's own record: PFAS, lithium, hard water. Each option names the certification to check. Not a generic “best filters” list.
Three needs to treat. Three other findings detected.
Each card starts from a finding in the published record. The certification is what to look for on the certifier’s listing (NSF, WQA or IAPMO) for the exact model.
PFAS
PFOS 41.4 ng/L in one EPA sample, above the 4 ng/L limit EPA set in 2024 (+7 more PFAS detected)
Reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS · NSF/ANSI 53 or 58, with PFHxS/PFOA/PFOS/PFBS/PFHxA/PFBA/PFHpA/PFPeA named on the listing
Lithium
Lithium 25.4 µg/L, above the 10.0 µg/L EPA health reference level (above a health screening level, not a legal limit)
Depends on the contaminant · The certifier's listing for each named contaminant
Hard water
8.1 gpg (hard) (aesthetic)
Ion-exchange water softener · NSF/ANSI 44 (softeners)
Total trihalomethanes (TTHM)
63ppb · 2024
TTHMs are disinfection by-products that form when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter in water.
Relevant treatment: Activated carbon, Reverse osmosis.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
38ppb · 2024
HAA5 is a group of five haloacetic acids: disinfection by-products that, like TTHMs, form when chlorine reacts with organic matter.
Relevant treatment: Activated carbon, Reverse osmosis.
Water hardness
8.1gpg · 139 mg/L as CaCO₃ · 2024
Hardness is dissolved calcium and magnesium picked up from rock and soil.
Relevant treatment: Ion-exchange water softener, Salt-free conditioner, Reverse osmosis (point-of-use).
Filters for the PFAS found in Sacramento water
Affiliate linksPurityMap earns a commission from these links. "Best choice" and "Budget pick" go to certified products first; commission never decides them. As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure★ Best choice: Aquasana Claryum 2-Stage Under-Sink Filter (AQ-5200), certified for PFOA and PFOS.
| Pick | Product | Details and price | Certification | Why it’s listed | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Best choice | Under-sinkAquasana Claryum 2-Stage Under-Sink Filter (AQ-5200) | TreatsPFOA and PFOSPrice$$ | Certified for PFOA and PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, WQA) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOA and PFOS, found in Sacramento’s record.See the evidence | Check price on Amazon |
| Also good | Under-sinkAquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under-Sink Filter (AQ-6300M) | TreatsPFOA and PFOSPrice$$ | Certified for PFOA and PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, WQA) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOA and PFOS, found in Sacramento’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Aquasana |
| Also good | CountertopAquasana Clean Water Machine Countertop Filter (AQ-CWM2) | TreatsPFOA and PFOSPrice$$ | Certified for PFOA and PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, WQA) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOA and PFOS, found in Sacramento’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Aquasana |
See all 12 drinking-water options for PFAS
| Pick | Product | Details and price | Certification | Why it’s listed | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Also good | Reverse osmosisSmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis | TreatsPFOA and PFOSTechnologyReverse osmosisPrice$$$ | Certified for PFOA and PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53 (includes P473), WQA) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOA and PFOS, found in Sacramento’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Aquasana |
| Also good | Under-sinkWaterdrop G3P600 Tankless Reverse-Osmosis System | TreatsPFOA and PFOSPrice$$$ | Certified for PFOA and PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, IAPMO) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOA and PFOS, found in Sacramento’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Waterdrop |
| Also good | Under-sinkWaterdrop G3P800 Tankless Reverse-Osmosis System | TreatsPFOA and PFOSPrice$$$ | Certified for PFOA and PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, IAPMO) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOA and PFOS, found in Sacramento’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Waterdrop |
| Also good | CountertopAquaTru Carafe Countertop Reverse-Osmosis Purifier (AT100) | TreatsPFOA and PFOSPrice$$$ | Certified for PFOA and PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, IAPMO) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOA and PFOS, found in Sacramento’s record.See the evidence | Check price on Amazon |
| Also good | CountertopAquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse-Osmosis Purifier (AT2000) | TreatsPFOA and PFOSPrice$$$ | Certified for PFOA and PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, IAPMO) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOA and PFOS, found in Sacramento’s record.See the evidence | Check price on Amazon |
| Also good | CountertopPatriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System | TreatsPFOA and PFOSPrice$$ | Certified for PFOA and PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53, NSF, IAPMO) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFOA and PFOS, found in Sacramento’s record.See the evidence | Check price on Amazon |
| Also good | Reverse osmosisiSpring RCC7AK Alkaline Reverse Osmosis SystemUse code REFISPRING at checkout: 10% off your first iSpring order. | TechnologyReverse osmosisPrice$$ | Brand lab-tested for PFAS, not independently certified for PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | See the evidence | Check price at iSpring |
| Also good | Reverse osmosisiSpring RO5004F Tankless Reverse Osmosis System with UVUse code REFISPRING at checkout: 10% off your first iSpring order. | TechnologyReverse osmosisPrice$$$ | Brand lab-tested for PFAS, not independently certified for PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | See the evidence | Check price at iSpring |
| Also good | Reverse osmosisWaterdrop X12 Reverse Osmosis System | TechnologyReverse osmosisPrice$$$$ | Brand lab-tested for PFAS, not independently certified for PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | See the evidence | Check price at Waterdrop |
★ Best choice: HealthShield™, certified for PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS and Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA).
| Pick | Product | Details and price | Certification | Why it’s listed | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Best choice | Whole-houseHealthShield™ | TreatsPFHxS, PFOA, PFOS and Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)Price$$$$ | Certified for PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS and Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) (NSF/ANSI 53, WQA) | Why it’s listed: its current certification names PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS and Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA), found in Sacramento’s record.See the evidence | Check price at Aquasana |
| $ Budget pick | Whole-houseiSpring WGB32B-PFKS PFAS & Heavy Metals Whole House FilterUse code REFISPRING at checkout: 10% off your first iSpring order. | Price$$$ | Brand lab-tested for PFAS, not independently certified for PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA) | See the evidence | Check price at iSpring |
Also: hard water picks →
Certified filters for lithium →
PurityMap earns a commission from these links. "Best choice" and "Budget pick" go to certified products first; commission never decides them. As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.
Know what reaches your glass.
Test your hardness before buying a softener.
Hard water in Sacramento?
Local help
Tired of hard-water buildup?
A local plumber can look at your home and install a water softener or whole-home system.
Test your own tap
Screening tells you if something is worth a closer look; a lab result is the number you can act on.
As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.
Screening: quick check, not lab-grade
Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit
Silver Lake Research
Lead, bacteria, nitrate, copper, iron, chlorine, hardness and pH
- Turnaround: Minutes; the bacteria test can take up to 48 hours
What it can't tell you: Each test gives a yes/no or a rough range, not a lab number, and it cannot detect PFAS or arsenic.
Lab-certified results
ETR Labs Basic Water Quality Test Kit
ETR Laboratories
50+ substances, including lead, copper, arsenic, nitrate, hardness and coliform bacteria
- Analyzed by Environmental Testing and Research Laboratories (ETR Labs), Leominster, MA · ISO/IEC 17025:2017, ANAB certificate AT-2638
- Turnaround: 2–4 business days after the lab receives it
What it can't tell you: It does not test PFAS, and not every result on the panel falls under the lab's accredited scope.
When your results arrive, read them here → · Compare every kit we list
Sources and methodology
Analysis first, commerce second: retail relationships do not change which products qualify. How PurityMap evaluates recommendations
- UCMR5 Analytical ResultsUCMR5 Analytical Results: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN (CA3410020)US EPA · 2026-10-15View source ↗
- State SDWIS Compliance RecordLead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: CITY OF SACRAMENTO MAIN (CA3410020)US EPA SDWIS · 2026-10-13View source ↗
- Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)City of Sacramento Dept. of Utilities 2024 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)City of Sacramento Dept. of Utilities · 2024-01-01View source ↗
Frequently asked
What water filter do I need in Sacramento?
Based on the published record: PFAS: PFOS 41.4 ng/L in one EPA sample, above the 4 ng/L limit EPA set in 2024 (+7 more PFAS detected). This calls for reverse osmosis, or carbon certified for PFAS, certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58, with PFHxS/PFOA/PFOS/PFBS/PFHxA/PFBA/PFHpA/PFPeA named on the listing. Lithium 25.4 µg/L, above the 10.0 µg/L EPA health reference level; above a health screening level, not a legal limit. If you choose to filter, the treatment depends on the contaminant: check the certifier's listing for each one. Hard water: 8.1 gpg (hard); aesthetic. If you choose to filter, look for ion-exchange water softener, certified to NSF/ANSI 44 (softeners). Choose a model whose certification names each contaminant you need to treat.
Does "NSF certified" mean a filter removes everything?
No. Certification is per contaminant: a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 42 for chlorine taste says nothing about lead or PFAS. Check the certifier's listing (NSF, WQA or IAPMO) for the exact model and the exact contaminant.