Pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides can potentially make their way into our drinking water supply. Sometimes it take decades before these chemicals show up in water, but they're a continual threat to our groundwater quality.
How to Remove Pesticides from Water
How to Ensure Drinking Water is Safe from Pesticides
According to a recent groundwater study published by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), nearly 90% of water samples collected contained five or more different pesticides.
In addition, the USGS found at least 143 pesticides in the groundwater of 43 states.
Nearly 90% of water samples contained 5 or more pesticides
How do Pesticides and Herbicides Enter Our Water Supply?
The U.S. is a major food supplier for the world, which means pesticide chemicals are abundantly used to control weeds, insects and other organisms.
Pesticides applied decades ago are just now showing up in our ground water. That's why it's important to consider how chemical applications today can affect our water for decades to come. Below are a few ways that chemicals get carried to our groundwater supply.
Rainwater
Runoff
Rainwater washes freshly applied herbicides from lawns
Drain
Dump
Leftover chemicals are poured down floor drains or sinks
Melted
Snow
Melted snow carries pesticides into underground water
It's not always easy to determine the source of contamination. But pesticides and various chemicals seeping into our water tables are a major issue.
Cropdusting, mass application by farm equipment, and even washing rags with pesticides in them are ways that pesticides are entering our water.
Because these chemicals are linked to serious health effects such as birth defects, cancer, reproductive issues, and neurological problems, many households are looking for a way to ensure their water is safe.
Should I Worry about Pesticides in my Drinking Water?
Most public water suppliers do a good job of filtering out impurities, but many contaminants found in our public water supplies are not regulated or standards enforced.
Also, millions of homes and cottages are on private wells where insecticides, pesticides and herbicides are not monitored or regulated, and can easily enter the water source for the well.
How to Remove Pesticides and Chemicals from Drinking Water
We cannot control or entirely prevent pesticides, insecticides and herbicides from entering our water supply. But we can take steps to ensure these chemicals are not in our household's drinking water.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) is the most effective and affordable way to remove these pollutants. Reverse Osmosis is a water treatment process that removes contaminants from water by using pressure to force water molecules through a semipermeable membrane. During the process, contaminants are filtered out and flushed away-- leaving pristine, delicious drinking water.
The "GAC" or granulated activated carbon filters in a reverse osmosis drinking water system are able to reduce herbicides, pesticides and insecticides by 97-99%.
RO water filtration systems are also effective in filtering out THMs like chloroform, organic chemicals, and many VOCs that are components of gasoline, solvents and industrial cleaners. Reverse osmosis can remove up to 99% of dozens of different contaminants.
Top-Selling Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Systems
Sold out
- Proven, High-Quality System
- Designer Chrome Faucet
- High-Flow 3/8" Tubing to Faucet
- 4-Stages of Filtration
- Compact 3.2 Gallon Storage Tank
- Airgap Faucet Connection
- 50 Gallons Per Day
- Made in USA
- Free Shipping
Sold out
- Compact, Space-Saving Design
- Standard Chrome Faucet
- High-Flow 3/8" Tubing to Faucet
- 4-Stages of Filtration
- Standard 4.4 Gallon Storage Tank
- Airgap Faucet Connection
- 50 Gallons Per Day
- Designed in USA, Made in China
- Free Shipping
Sold out
- Advanced Filtration, Quick-Change Filters, & Conserves Water
- Designer Chrome Faucet
- High-Flow 3/8" Tubing to Faucet
- 4-Stages of Filtration
- Standard 4.4 Gallon Storage Tank
- Air Gap and Non-Airgap Faucet Connection
- 75 Gallons Per Day
- Made in USA
- Free Shipping
Pesticides in Drinking Water Frequently Asked Questions
How do pesticides get into tap water?
The most common routes are agricultural runoff — where rain washes herbicides and insecticides from crop fields into rivers and reservoirs — and groundwater leaching, where pesticides slowly percolate through soil into aquifers, sometimes decades after application. Urban lawn chemicals and golf course treatments also contribute. A USGS study found pesticides in nearly 90% of US stream samples. Critically, the EPA enforces limits on only 18 specific pesticides, leaving hundreds of others unregulated in treated municipal water. See what's in your drinking water and find out whether your tap water is safe to drink
What is the best water filter to remove pesticides and herbicides?
Reverse osmosis systems are the gold standard, removing 97–99% of pesticides by combining activated carbon pre-filtration with a semi-permeable RO membrane. VOC reduction filters and carbon block filters offer useful supplemental protection. Standard pitcher and refrigerator filters are not adequate for pesticide removal. Browse our best-rated RO systems or read the RO Buyer's Guide.
Does a reverse osmosis system remove pesticides from drinking water?
Yes — at rates of 97–99%. The carbon block pre-filters adsorb herbicides, insecticides, and VOCs, while the RO membrane blocks any remaining dissolved chemicals at the molecular level. The same system also removes lead, fluoride, nitrates, PFAS, and chlorine. See the full contaminant removal list
Does boiling water remove pesticides?
No. Boiling kills bacteria and viruses but has no effect on chemical contaminants. Pesticides are not destroyed by heat — and as water evaporates during boiling, the pesticide concentration in the remaining water actually increases. The only effective solutions are filtration-based: reverse osmosis or activated carbon filtration.
Are pesticides in tap water harmful to drink?
A single glass is unlikely to cause immediate harm, but chronic low-level exposure is the real concern. Studies link long-term pesticide exposure to neurological problems, hormonal disruption, increased cancer risk, and developmental harm in children. The EPA enforces limits for only 18 specific pesticides — hundreds of others are unregulated in public water supplies. Children and pregnant women face the highest risk. An RO drinking water system removing 97–99% of pesticides is the most reliable protection.
How do I know if my well water has pesticides in it?
Pesticides have no taste, odor, or color — the only way to know is to test. Private wells are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, so testing is your responsibility. Risk is highest for shallow wells near farmland, orchards, or golf courses. Have your water tested by a state-certified laboratory; elevated nitrates are often an indicator that pesticide contamination is also present. If results are positive, install an under-sink RO system for drinking water and consider a whole-house UV system for biological protection. See our guide to the best UV systems for well water.
Answers To Your Most Common Questions
Air Gap vs. Non-Air Gap RO Faucet
What's the difference between an “Air Gap” faucet and a “Non-Air Gap” faucet? Which one should you use with your reverse osmosis filter system?
Read More>
Advantages & Disadvantages of RO
Is reverse osmosis filtered water worth it? Are RO replacement filters expensive? Let's explore the pros and cons of Reverse Osmosis filtration.
Read More>
Benefits of UV Water Disinfection
Treating water with Ultraviolet (UV) light is one of the MOST effective ways to treat waterborne microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses...
Read More>
Explore Other System Types
Reverse
Osmosis
RO Systems
Ultraviolet
UV Systems
