New Homeowners: This Is the First Upgrade You Need to Make in Your Home
Why Clean, Safer Drinking Water Should Be at the Top of Your Improvement List
By Jeff Schoon, President, Zurn Elkay
When you buy a home, the first upgrades that typically come to mind are aesthetic, paint colors, fixtures, flooring, maybe a smart thermostat or landscaping. But there’s one upgrade that impacts your family’s health, daily routines, and long-term wellbeing, and most homeowners overlook it: Your home’s drinking water.
Most people assume that if water looks clear and comes from a trusted source, it’s safe. But clarity is not a safety test, and many concerning contaminants have no taste, no smell, and no visual warning at all. Lead, PFAS (“forever chemicals”), microplastics, and other emerging contaminants can go completely undetected by the senses and yet remain present in your household drinking water.
It’s one of the reasons the industry-leading hydration experts at Elkay adapted their commercial-grade filtration technology, trusted in schools, airports, gyms, and workplaces nationwide, and brought it into the home with the Liv EZ Built-In Filtered Water Dispenser.
Your Water May Contain More Than You Think
Homes today are facing three major water contaminant concerns: lead, which affects the nervous system and child development; PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” linked to cancer and reproductive issues; and microplastics, which can build up in the body with uncertain long-term risks. While these contaminants originate from different sources, aging infrastructure, industrial runoff, plastics waste, and even household products, they share one alarming trait: you won’t see, taste, or smell them in your water.
Unlike discoloration or odor issues that signal a plumbing problem, most harmful contaminants provide no sensory warning at all. And common assumptions about fixing water quality fall short, boiling water may kill bacteria, but it does not remove chemicals like PFAS or lead. In fact, boiling can actually concentrate certain contaminants rather than eliminate them.
Why Pitchers and Fridge Filters Aren’t Cutting It
Not all filters are created equal. Many of the filters homeowners are most familiar with, like refrigerator filters, pitcher filters and faucet attachments, are primarily designed to improve taste and odor, not remove a wide range of harmful contaminants.
That’s why it’s important to look for filtration that goes beyond the basics. If you're relying only on a pitcher or fridge filter, you may be filtering out chlorine taste, but not necessarily the contaminants that pose long-term health risks.
Meet Liv EZ: Commercial-Grade Filtration, Now in the Home
You’ve likely used Elkay’s bottle-filling stations in airports, schools, or fitness centers, the sleek fixtures that refill water bottles quickly with clean, crisp water. The Liv EZ brings that same level of filtration and convenience to where families live, work, and play every day.
Liv EZ was designed to fit the way people move through their homes today. It transforms everyday spaces into hydration hubs, whether that’s the kitchen, mudroom, playroom, garage workshop, or home gym.
What makes Liv EZ different:
- Commercial-grade filtration certified to reduce lead, forever chemicals, microplastics, and more
- Built-in, minimalist design crafted with premium materials
- Install almost anywhere you can run a water line
- No electrical wiring required
- A “bottles saved” counter that tracks your environmental impact
- Quick-fill convenience for reusable bottles, tumblers, and sports containers
- Filter lasts up to a year
It’s the first water upgrade designed not only to safeguard what your family drinks, but also to complement the modern home with clean lines and intentional design.
The First Upgrade That Pays You Back
Whether your home is newly constructed or a century old, your water travels through multiple touchpoints, so filtration at the point of use is the most immediate and effective solution.
And as families prioritize wellness, sustainability, and smart-home convenience, Liv EZ puts both ease and health front and center. Homeowners with Liv EZ report that their families drink more water throughout the day, save time, reduce plastic waste, and enjoy safer hydration without the clutter of countertop pitchers or bulk bottled water.
Clean water affects every age, every room, every lifestyle, and every day.
You Just Invested in a Home, Protect What Matters Most
Cosmetic projects make your home look better. Clean water makes your home live better. Before you pick paint colors or cabinet hardware, make the upgrade that protects your family from the inside out, the Liv EZ Built-In Filtered Water Dispenser.
Ready to upgrade your home’s hydration? Visit Elkay.com/LivEZ to get started.
About the Author
As president of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions, Jeff Schoon leads the company’s mission to deliver smart, sustainable water solutions through customer-focused innovation. With more than a decade at the company, Jeff has helped guide Zurn Elkay through significant growth and transformation, including the 2022 combination with Elkay Manufacturing. His background spans engineering, manufacturing, and lean management, bringing a hands-on perspective to leadership and operational excellence.
Expertise & Media Topics:
- Corporate leadership and transformation
- Innovation in sustainable water solutions
- Manufacturing and operational excellence
- Customer-first business strategy
- Industry growth and integration