Fleck Safe Drinking Water Filter

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Step 1: Rule Out Simple Visible and Taste Checks Before Testing

Examine Clear Signs at Every Tap

Before considering laboratory testing, check for changes in water clarity, taste, or smell that may suggest treatment needs. These indicators are not definitive but help prioritize further investigation.

Confirm Plumbing and Faucet Condition

Assess your household plumbing for materials that might influence water quality independently from the public system.

Collect a Sample for Certified Laboratory Testing

A true understanding of your home's drinking water requires a certified laboratory test. This will determine specific contaminant levels in your water, which vary even within the same water system.

Step 2: Understand the Difference Between Aesthetic and Health-Based Guidelines

Recognize the Role of Secondary Standards

Secondary standards address aesthetic aspects like taste and staining potential. These are guidelines, not enforceable safety limits, and do not imply health risks if exceeded.

Health-Based Limits Are Set Separately

True health concerns are governed by primary standards that focus on substances with known health impacts. Violations of these standards trigger regulatory action.

Step 3: Interpret Local Water Quality Terms Accurately

What Does "Detected" Mean in Your Water Report?

Detection indicates a measurable presence noted by instruments. It is not synonymous with a violation or unsafe condition.

Median and Range Explained

The median represents the middle concentration value from many samples, while the range reflects the lowest to highest measurements noted. These statistics describe the water system's overall data but not your home's specific water.

Step 4: Match Treatment Capacity to Your Household Water Demand

Estimate Your Daily Water Use

Understand your household’s average and peak daily water consumption to ensure chosen treatment equipment can handle the flow and volume efficiently.

Consider the System’s Performance Specifications

Each water treatment system comes with a capacity rating. Compare this to your demand to select an option that provides consistent safe drinking water without overtaxing the unit.

Step 5: Compare Water Records Responsibly

Review Your County’s Water Quality Record

East St. Louis is served by a public water system with one documented health-based violation on record. The lead 90th percentile concentration is 0.003 mg/L in distribution sampling, reflecting plumbing conditions rather than source water.

Do Not Assume Neighboring Counties’ Data Apply Directly

Water quality varies by source and treatment. Nearby counties may have different records; avoid assuming their water conditions match those of St. Clair.

For households measuring their water demand and seeking targeted safe drinking water treatment, the Fleck Safe Drinking Water Filter ships ready to configure and is designed to meet residential needs with proven technology.

Where this information comes from

Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.

On record: EPA SDWIS record for IL AMERICAN-EAST ST LOUIS (IL1635040), surface water supply, serving 131368 people: 1 health-based violations of 2 total; lead 90th percentile 0.003 mg/L