Where does the water from your fridge come from? Is it the same as the drinking water from your faucets?
In this article, we’ve discussed everything you should know about the safety and quality of water from your refrigerator, and how it compares to tap water.
📌 Key Takeaways:
- Refrigerator water is the same as normal tap water and comes from the same water pipe.
- Many fridges use water filters, which improve the quality of the water from the fridge dispenser and the ice from the ice maker.
- For this reason, water from your refrigerator often tastes better than your normal tap water.
Table of Contents
🤔 Is Refrigerator Water Tap Water?
Yes, refrigerator water is tap water. Your fridge gets water from the same pipe as your kitchen sink.
The only difference between fridge water and tap water is that most refrigerators have their own water filters, so fridge water is usually better quality than normal tap water.
So, essentially, water from your refrigerator’s water dispenser is an enhanced version of your tap water.
🚰 Where Does Fridge Water Come From?
Fridge water comes from a water supply line in your home.
Our homes have water pipes spanning through most rooms. These are used to carry water to and from fixtures and appliances, providing water on demand whenever needed.
Your kitchen should contain water pipes leading to the sink. When your fridge was installed, the installer should have connected the fridge’s water line (which is usually a flexible pipe) to the nearest water pipe behind the appliance.
Usually, this means intercepting the cold water pipe that leads to your kitchen sink. So, you use the same water in your refrigerator as the water that’s supplied to your faucet.
🔎 Is Fridge Water Safe To Drink?
Yes, fridge water is safe to drink because it’s the same drinking water that’s delivered to your kitchen sink.
Plus, most refrigerators have built-in filters that remove common drinking water contaminants, like chlorine and heavy metals. That makes refrigerator water safe to drink – safer, in fact, than your normal tap water.
As long as you replace your refrigerator filter regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions, the water from your fridge dispenser should remain safe to drink.
✅ Is Fridge Water Better Than Sink Water?
Yes, fridge water is usually better than sink water because it has fewer contaminants and tastes nicer. However, the answer to this question depends on whether or not your fridge has a built-in filter.
Assuming that your fridge does have a filter, and you don’t have a separate filter for your tap water, your fridge water should be better than your sink water.
Most refrigerator filters can remove chlorine from your water source at the very least. That means your fridge can supply water that’s free from the chemical taste and odor of chlorine.
The quality of your fridge water versus your sink water depends on the contaminants that your fridge filter can remove. Some refrigerator water filters are more capable than others and can remove metals, PFAS, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, and other impurities, greatly improving water taste, quality, and safety.
If you don’t have a refrigerator water filter in your appliance, the water from your fridge water dispenser will be exactly the same as the water from your sink. The only difference is that the water has been cooled before dispensing.
🆚 Fridge Filters vs Other Filter Types
Getting filtered water from your refrigerator water dispenser is certainly better than drinking water straight from the tap.
While municipal water supplies are legally “safe” to drink, they contain trace contaminants that many of us would rather not drink at all. These include VOCs, lead, chromium-6, fluoride PFAS, and other contaminants with health effects. Check your local Water Quality Report to see exactly what your water contains.
If your fridge has a filter, that’s great. However, most refrigerator water filters only offer basic contaminant removal. If you want to enjoy 100% clean water, it’s worth considering upgrading to a more effective filter.
Here are our recommendations for different situations:
Under-Sink Filtration Systems
An under-sink filtration system is the best option if you want to filter the drinking water at your kitchen sink. You can also connect your refrigerator to your cold water pipe downstream of the filter, so you can enjoy the same filtered water from your fridge.
There are a few different types of under-sink filtration systems:
- Single or multi-stage water filter systems
- Reverse osmosis systems
A capable under-sink filtration system can remove tens, even hundreds, of tap water contaminants. But if you want to treat your water with the most comprehensive process, go for a reverse osmosis system, which can remove up to 99.99% of all dissolved solids in your drinking water.
Water Filter Pitchers
If you want to remove hundreds of contaminants from your tap water without the expense of a built-in system, consider water filter pitchers.
You can buy a highly capable water filtration system for less than $100, and many filter pitchers can remove more contaminants than a refrigerator filter. Take the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher, for example – this can remove 360+ contaminants, significantly improving water quality.
Filtered water pitchers have the convenience of portability, but their main disadvantage is that their filtration process is slow. Unlike with a refrigerator filter, you won’t get access to filtered water instantly.
In-Line Water Filters
If getting filtered drinking water from your refrigerator works best for you, consider upgrading your fridge filter to an in-line filter.
In-line filters are installed at the water pipe upstream of your fridge, filtering the water coming into the fridge before it enters.
Many in-line filters can remove twice, three times, or even up to four times the amount of contaminants than an inbuilt filter in your fridge. They’re a great option to consider if you enjoy being able to access cool filtered drinking water and ice from your fridge, but you’re looking for something a bit more comprehensive than your current filter.
📑 Final Word
Fridge water is the same as the drinking water from your kitchen sink. In fact, it’s often slightly better due to being filtered in your refrigerator before being dispensed.
Refrigerator water has a taste akin to bottled water – but refrigerator filters have their limitations. If you want the very best-tasting, best quality drinking water from your fridge or kitchen faucet, make sure to consider alternative filtration options too.
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❔ FAQ
Where does the fridge water line come from?
The fridge water line usually connects to the nearest water pipe behind it. You can connect your fridge’s water system to your cold water supply line with a flexible pipe of any length, so it’s possible to route the fridge to a water pipe across the room if necessary.
How does water dispenser in fridge get water?
The dispenser in a fridge gets water by tapping into the cold water supply pipe in your kitchen. Most refrigerators are connected to this pipe with a flexible water line. The same water is supplied to your fridge as to your kitchen sink.
Where does fridge get water for ice?
A fridge gets water for ice from its own internal water system. Fridges are hooked up to your water supply and pour this water over a chilled ice tray to make ice.