According to a previous study, Orange County and Los Angeles County rank low in water quality in the United States, and recent water tests indicate that the drinking water situation in the region continues to be of concern.

In tests conducted by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Environmental Working Group (EWG), alarming levels of pollutants, such as lead, pathogens, hormones, pesticides, and other contaminants, have been found, exceeding safety levels by significant percentages.

In the University of California, Irvine (UCI) zip code, 42 contaminants, including arsenic, PFOA, and chromium, were detected, with 18 exceeding the EWG’s health guidelines.

These pollutants are not the only issue; substances introduced into the water by municipalities, like chlorine, ammonia, and fluoride, also raise concerns among residents.

A 2023 study revealed that 78% of the public in Orange County, California, does not trust drinking water from the tap and opts for alternative sources such as plastic bottles or filters.

However, reliance on plastic bottles raises environmental concerns due to the production of plastic and the region's low recycling rates. Moreover, bottled water may contain microplastics that can leach into the water, and some brands have low pH levels, making the water acidic, which poses health risks.

Household filters have gained popularity due to both health concerns and convenience. With a wide range of options available, prices for these filters can vary anywhere from $100 to $8,000.

Not all filtration systems are equally effective. For example, filters that use only charcoal may fail to remove many pollutants. On the other hand, reverse osmosis filters, while effective at purifying water, also make it acidic, which may not be ideal for your health.

Here are the top three tested and compared options for improving water quality in Orange County, California:

Sorso Wellness Water System: This company has recently entered the market in Orange County after achieving success in other North American locations. Their under-the-sink drinking systems purify water from all contaminants while adding natural minerals like potassium, magnesium, and calcium, raising the pH to a naturally alkaline level of 8.5–9.5 and making the water healthier. Additionally, Sorso's water ionization process enhances hydration and enriches the water with hydrogen molecules, providing powerful antioxidant and detoxification properties.

Price: $1,690, including installation and a 90-day risk-free trial.

Culligan: A legacy company offering under-the-sink systems that purify water at a high level. The resulting water is pure but acidic, which might not be as desirable from a health perspective.

Price: $1.995, including installation.

Kangen: This company offers an over-the-counter electric ionizer that allows users to choose the pH level of the water to make it more alkaline or acidic. However, Kangen's pre-filtration does not remove all dissolved contaminants like Sorso and Culligan systems.

Price: $4,380

Sorso, Culligan, and other companies also offer whole-home filter and softening systems. These systems remove calcium (hardness) and some contaminants like chlorine and even heavy metals and fluoride. This subject will be covered in our next article on domestic water.

Drink a lot of water, and drink good water. It's so important!