Frequently Asked Questions

Our team analyzes water quality databases on the local, county, state, and federal levels to determine what contaminants are in your drinking water. We do this research based on the shipping address of your order, so if you're purchasing a system for someone else, please specify their address in the notes section during checkout.

If you’re on a private well, we use the USGS groundwater database, source water assessments, and land use data to build the optimal filter for you.

No. Our drinking water filters use a custom blend of active filtration media to filter harmful contaminants in your water. Here's a quick breakdown of the benefits of Hydroviv vs. reverse osmosis filters:

1. Our systems deliver water fast and on demand from your cold water tap, so you spend less time waiting for your RO tank to fill up.

2. Our filters are compact and leave space for under sink storage (no bulky tank required).

3. Our filters are quick and easy to install without the help of a licensed plumber, making them a great option for renters. RO systems require you to drill permanent holes in your drain and counter top, which inflates the price of installation and maintenance.

4. Our filters retain helpful minerals that contribute to taste. RO systems strip these minerals during the filtration process.

Reverse osmosis systems are powerful and might be a great fit for your home, depending on what you're looking for. But if you're looking for a highly efficient, affordable, easy-to-install filter, the Hydroviv Under Sink Water Filter is perfect for you.

A customized system is the safest and most affordable way to filter drinking water.

When you buy a one-size-fits-all system, you're paying for inadequate filtration. That's because standard filters usually focus on each contaminant in equal measure... but that doesn't help if your area tests highly for any specific contaminant(s), like lead or arsenic.

Hydroviv's customized drinking water filters are different. They're built specifically for you: your life, your water. You'll never have to settle for "good enough" filtration.

Yes. Hydroviv drinking water filters are IAPMO-certified to NSF/ANSI standards 42 (aesthetic effects—chlorine filtration) and 53 (health effects—lead, VOCs, and PFAS filtration). They have been independently tested to filter hundreds of contaminants.

You can review our IAPMO certification to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 here.

Third-party testing shows that the Hydroviv Filtered Showerhead and In-Line Shower Filter 2.0 reduce chlorine by 93%. Because of the unique nature of shower water filtration, these products have not yet undergone formal certification, but their performance has been independently verified through testing.

Hydroviv filters were designed by a PhD scientist and use specialized filtration technology to ensure your filter is effective against the contaminants in your water.

A single Hydroviv filter cartridge uses a 2-stage pre-filter, a sub-micron pore network, and five active filtration media working together in one solid block. This design allows contaminants to be removed consistently throughout the filter’s entire lifespan.

Unlike many “one-size-fits-all” filters that lose effectiveness over time, Hydroviv’s customized approach ensures reliable performance from the first drop to the last.

Hydroviv drinking water filters are IAPMO-certified to filter harmful contaminants, including arsenic, PFAS (PFOA, PFOS), lead, and VOCs. We also achieve broad protection against volatile organic compounds, PCBs, MTBE, mercury, cysts, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, petroleum-based chemicals, chlorine, chlramine, chromium 6, disinfection byproducts, atrazine, benzene, simazine, bisphenol A, estrone, and more.

Our filters are designed to target contaminants rather than minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron, which are essential for your health. Our filters are not designed treat fluoride in drinking water. If you are looking for solutions that address these minerals, our support team would be happy to assist you learning about alternatives.

Yes, Hydroviv filters treat PFAS. An independent study conducted in North Carolina found that Hydroviv's Under Sink and Refrigerator/Ice Maker Filters both reduce PFAS to undetectable levels over the filters' lifespans. You can review these independent results here.

Yes, Hydroviv filters are IAPMO-certified to filter lead. Our systems meet or exceed filtration performance standards set forth by NSF Standard 53 for dissolved/particulate lead removal.

No, Hydroviv drinking water filters do not target fluoride. We appreciate this question but our filters are not designed for this purpose.

If you'd like a system that removes fluoride, our customer support team can help steer you towards a reverse osmosis solution that will meet your needs.

Yes, our drinking water filters treat chromium 6.

Yes. We use USGS data on water quality in your area combined with other data to customize your drinking water filter for well water. Just leave a note that you’re on well water in the Order Notes at checkout, and we’ll tailor your filter to your specific conditions.

Yes, your first Hydroviv water filtration cartridge is included in each housing. You can subscribe for discounted, worry-free water protection with automatic delivery or purchase additional refills at any time.

Our systems are designed to be compact and effective.

Under Sink and Fridge Filter
14" height x 6 width" x 6 depth" (inches)

In-Line Shower Filter 2.0: 3.2” x 4.3"

Filtered Showerhead: 6" x 4.4"

Hydroviv drinking water filters can save a tremendous amount of space when compared with an reverse osmosis system, while delivering IAPMO-certified protection to keep your family effectively covered through each cartridge's entire lifespan.

If you drink water from both your sink and fridge, we recommend pairing the Under Sink Water Filter with the Refrigerator/Ice Maker Water Filter. Both are custom-built for your home’s water and ensure that every glass — whether from the tap or your fridge dispenser — is filtered.

For cleaner shower water, choose between the Filtered Showerhead or the In-Line Shower Filter 2.0 for every shower in your home. The Filtered Showerhead replaces your existing showerhead, while the In-Line Shower Filter 2.0 connects to your current showerhead.

Make sure to take advantage of our bundle savings and save an extra 20%!

No, we do not soften water. Our support team can provide recommendations for water softeners.

No. For most homes, it’s best to filter water at the point of use (your sink, fridge, or shower) where you actually use the water. This approach is more effective and efficient than filtering all the water entering your home.

If you’re interested in whole-home filtration, our support team can point you toward systems that make sense for your specific setup.

The Filtered Showerhead replaces your existing showerhead, while the In-Line Shower Filter connects between your shower pipe and your existing showerhead.

Yes. Refill cartridges for the In-Line Shower Water Filter and Filtered Showerhead can be found here.

Yes! We offer the Hydroviv Filtered Showerhead in three different finishes: chrome, brushed nickel, and matte black.

No, Hydroviv does not and will never pay for user reviews.

We have thousands of actual customer reviews on our product pages.

Very easy. No plumbing experience is required. All you need is an adjustable wrench. A standard install takes 15 minutes or less with no drilling, adapters, or power tools needed. Learn about installation here.

Hydroviv does not provide installation services or support. We recommend you contact a licensed plumber or handyman if you are not confident installing your system after watching our instructions.

Yes, our systems are great for rentals! Hydroviv drinking water filters use your existing faucet, do not require drilling into your countertop or drain line. Unlike Reverse Osmosis, they can easily be installed and removed without any damage or modifications to your kitchen.

No special maintenance is required and we provide the cartridge changing tool. We recommend cleaning your housing with dish soap when you change your cartridge, and always run the water through a new cartridge for 3-4 minutes before starting use.

Hydroviv drinking water refills are designed for up to 720 gallons of water, or 6 months of average use. Shower refills are rated for 10,000 gallons, or 6 months of average use.

We will automatically message you about subscriptions before delivery, which default to 6 months.

You may notice a lower water volume when your cartridge is towards the end of its effective lifespan, which indicates you need a new refill.

If your water flow is still strong after 720 gallons have been used (about 6 months for the average home) this does not mean your cartridge is still effective; you'll need to get a refill to ensure contaminant filtration.

Changing your Hydroviv refill takes about 5 minutes. You can view what it looks like here.

Subscriptions are set to 6 months by default and are adjustable in your account page. Every filter housing purchased on Subscribe & Save features a 25% discount on its associated cartridge, and shipping times may be customized by product. You will receive an email prior to your shipment to confirm your order and may pause or cancel from your account page on Hydroviv.com at any time.

Once you have purchased your system, you will need to periodically change out the the cartridge inside to effectively treat contaminants, maintain flow rate, and make your water safer for you and your family. Cartridges in any filtration technology cannot be effective indefinitely (Hydroviv cartridges are effective for up to 720 gallons of water, which we estimate this at six months for an average home) so we recommend a subscription to save money and maintain water quality.

✳The subscription itself does not cost anything.✳

✳The subscription sets up a schedule for replacement cartridges to be shipped to your home✳

Perks of the subscription plan:

✅ 25% off replacement cartridges, always.
✅ Change the delivery schedule anytime
✅ No penalty to cancel before a shipment

Drinking Water Cartridges:
$96.25 on a subscription vs. $128.33 as a one-time purchase.

Shower Cartridges:
$74.99 on a subscription vs. $99.99 as a one-time purchase.

*one shipment every 6 months is the most common replacement schedule*

Hydroviv customizes our filtration for your home's address. We would not be able to do this if we sold anywhere other than our online store.

We typically ship filters within 2–3 business days of receiving your order. Once your filter ships, you’ll get a tracking number so you can follow it right to your door.

Yes, please check your inbox! We automatically send order and tracking information via email. If you did not receive one, please reach out to our support team at hello@hydroviv.com.

We offer a money-back-guarantee for 90 days.

Please indicate the address where a filter will be used in the order notes and we will use that for the order's formulation.

Our team members are able to assist you on live chat and email from 10am to 8pm EST, seven days a week. We can be reached at hello@hydroviv.com and will respond as quickly as we can.

Please send us a message at marketing@hydroviv.com and we will get back to you.