Terms of Service

AustinWaterGuide is an independent, informational website providing educational content related to residential water quality, water filtration systems, water softeners, reverse osmosis systems, and related topics with a specific focus on the Austin, Texas metropolitan area and Central Texas region.

The Site includes:

• Educational articles and guides about water quality, contaminants, and treatment technologies
• Data-driven analyses of Austin municipal water quality based on publicly available Consumer Confidence Reports and independent research
• Product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for residential water treatment equipment
• Affiliate links to third-party retailers and manufacturers, including but not limited to SpringWell Water
• Interactive tools such as the Water Filter Advisor quiz
• Frequently asked questions and expert guidance content

We do not sell, install, or service water treatment equipment directly. We are not a licensed plumbing company, water testing laboratory, or water utility.

AustinWaterGuide participates in affiliate marketing programs, including the SpringWell Water affiliate program and potentially others. This means that when you click on certain product links on our Site and subsequently make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the seller or manufacturer at no additional cost to you.

Affiliate relationships do not influence our editorial independence. Our product recommendations are based on our assessment of product performance, quality, suitability for Austin's specific water chemistry, and value for homeowners. We recommend products we genuinely believe serve our readers, regardless of affiliate relationships.

Affiliate links are identified throughout the Site with disclosures such as "(affiliate link)" or via our site-wide affiliate disclosure notice. The presence of an affiliate link does not constitute an endorsement of any particular vendor's business practices.

Product prices shown on this Site are approximate and subject to change. We do not control the final pricing, availability, or terms offered by third-party retailers. Always verify current pricing and terms directly on the retailer's website before making a purchase.

The content published on AustinWaterGuide, including water quality data, contaminant information, product recommendations, installation guidance, and health-related content, is intended for general educational purposes only. It should not be construed as:

• Professional plumbing or engineering advice: Always hire a licensed, insured plumber for water system installation, modification, or repair. Water system installations must comply with all applicable Texas state and local plumbing codes.
• Medical or health advice: Information about contaminants and health effects is educational in nature. If you have specific health concerns related to water quality, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
• Water testing services: Our content references publicly available water quality data. For accurate testing of your specific home's water, use a TCEQ-certified laboratory. Our informational content does not replace professional water analysis.
• Legal advice: References to EPA regulations, NSF certifications, or other regulatory standards are for educational purposes. Consult a qualified attorney for legal advice.

Individual water quality can vary significantly from municipal distribution system averages based on your home's plumbing age, materials, location in the distribution system, and other factors. Always test your specific water before purchasing any treatment system.

Unless otherwise noted, all content on the Site — including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, icons, images, data compilations, charts, interactive tools, code, and the overall design and layout — is the property of AustinWaterGuide and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Site solely for your personal, non-commercial informational purposes, subject to these Terms.

You may not:

• Reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell, or exploit any portion of the Site without our express written permission
• Scrape, crawl, or use automated tools to extract data from the Site at scale
• Use our content or data compilations as the basis for competing informational resources without attribution
• Remove or alter any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices
• Frame or mirror the Site on any other website without prior written consent

Requests for permission to reproduce our content may be submitted to our contact email. We generally welcome factual citations with proper attribution and a link back to the original page.

Third-party trademarks referenced on this Site (including but not limited to SpringWell, Aquasana, NSF International, EWG, Austin Water, and others) are the property of their respective owners. Reference to these marks does not imply any affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.

The Site contains links to third-party websites, including product retailers, manufacturers, government agencies, research organizations, and other resources. These links are provided for your convenience and informational purposes.

AustinWaterGuide has no control over the content, privacy practices, or accuracy of information on third-party websites. The inclusion of a link does not imply our endorsement of the linked site, its operators, or any products or services they offer.

When you leave our Site via a link — including affiliate links — you do so at your own risk. We strongly encourage you to review the terms of service and privacy policy of any third-party website you visit.

We are not responsible for any transactions, disputes, or harms arising from your interactions with third-party retailers, including but not limited to purchase disputes, product defects, shipping issues, or warranty claims. All such matters are between you and the respective third-party vendor.

We strive to provide accurate, up-to-date information based on reputable sources including Austin Water Consumer Confidence Reports, EPA databases, EWG's Tap Water Database, NSF International certification records, peer-reviewed scientific literature, and manufacturer product specifications.

However, we make no warranty or guarantee regarding the completeness, accuracy, timeliness, or fitness for any particular purpose of any content on the Site. Specifically:

• Water quality data may lag behind the most current testing results. Always refer directly to Austin Water's most recent Consumer Confidence Report for official data.
• Product specifications, prices, and availability are subject to change by manufacturers without notice.
• NSF certification statuses should be verified directly with NSF International at nsf.org.
• Regulatory standards (EPA MCLs, EWG health guidelines) may be updated by the respective agencies.
• Installation cost estimates are approximations based on Austin metro market data and will vary based on individual circumstances.

If you identify an error or outdated information on our Site, please contact us. We are committed to maintaining accurate content and will investigate and correct errors promptly.

To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, AustinWaterGuide expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to:

• The implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement
• Any warranty that the Site will operate error-free or uninterrupted
• Any warranty regarding the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of information on the Site
• Any warranty that the Site is free of viruses or other harmful components
• Any warranty regarding the suitability of any recommended product for your specific water quality, plumbing configuration, or health needs

We do not warrant or represent that any specific water treatment product will achieve the performance results described by the manufacturer, or that following our guidance will resolve any particular water quality problem in your home.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AUSTINWATERGUIDE AND ITS OWNERS, OPERATORS, CONTRIBUTORS, AND AFFILIATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• Loss of profits, revenue, data, goodwill, or business opportunities
• Property damage resulting from improper product installation or selection
• Personal injury or health consequences arising from water quality issues or treatment decisions
• Costs of substitute products or services
• Any damages arising from your reliance on informational content on this Site
• Any damages arising from transactions with third-party retailers accessed through affiliate links

This limitation applies regardless of the theory of liability (contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise) and even if AustinWaterGuide has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

In jurisdictions that do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, our liability shall be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law. In no event shall our total liability to you exceed one hundred U.S. dollars ($100.00).

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless AustinWaterGuide and its owners, operators, contributors, agents, and service providers from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, debts, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from:

• Your use of and access to the Site
• Your violation of any provision of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights, including intellectual property rights or privacy rights
• Any content you submit or post to the Site, if applicable
• Your violation of any applicable law or regulation

This indemnification obligation will survive the termination of these Terms and your use of the Site.

You agree not to use the Site for any of the following purposes:

• Any unlawful purpose or in violation of any applicable federal, state, local, or international law or regulation
• Transmitting any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising or promotional material (spam)
• Impersonating any person or entity, or falsely stating your affiliation with any person or entity
• Engaging in any conduct that restricts or inhibits anyone's use or enjoyment of the Site
• Introducing any viruses, trojan horses, worms, logic bombs, or other malicious or harmful material
• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site or its related systems
• Using automated scripts or bots to scrape, harvest, or extract Site content at scale for commercial purposes
• Using affiliate links in a manner designed to generate fraudulent commissions, including click fraud or cookie stuffing
• Republishing our content, product comparisons, or data compilations as your own without permission and proper attribution

We reserve the right to block your access to the Site if we reasonably believe you are engaging in prohibited conduct.

AustinWaterGuide reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. We may also provide additional notice of material changes at our discretion.

Your continued use of the Site after any such changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. We encourage you to review these Terms periodically.

We also reserve the right to modify, suspend, or discontinue the Site or any portion thereof at any time without notice or liability to you.

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. The federal and state courts located in Travis County, Texas shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any disputes arising under these Terms.

Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or your use of the Site that cannot be resolved through informal negotiation shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA), except that either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in a court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement of intellectual property rights.

You agree that any arbitration or legal proceeding shall be conducted on an individual basis, and you hereby waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration against AustinWaterGuide.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that the remaining Terms shall remain in full force and effect.

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding these Terms of Service, please contact us:

We will make commercially reasonable efforts to respond to all legitimate inquiries within 5–10 business days.