Hubbell Homes Made Water Filtration Standard
The builder now includes reverse osmosis systems in all new Des Moines-area homes at no extra charge.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Home Renovation
Live Poll
Would you pay a higher home price to have water filtration systems included as a standard?
Hubbell Homes has made reverse osmosis water filtration systems standard equipment in every new home it constructs in the Des Moines area. The builder is absorbing the cost of these installations to provide better water quality for its buyers.
Why it matters
This move aims to offer homeowners improved water quality, a significant concern in a region where the Des Moines Water Works nitrate removal facility operated for 200 days this year.
Each reverse osmosis unit costs approximately $3,000, yet Hubbell Homes is not passing this expense to the purchaser. The company partnered with Brightwater Kinetico to handle installations in the utility room with lines routed to the sink, refrigerator, and wet bar.
The players
Hubbell Homes
This residential builder is headquartered in Waukee, Iowa, and is integrating new water treatment standards into its housing developments.
Des Moines Water Works
This public utility operates the nitrate removal plant that serves the capital city and surrounding suburban communities.
Brightwater Kinetico
This company specializes in water treatment solutions and is the installation partner for the new residential filtration systems.
The details
The installed systems provide purified water directly to the kitchen sink, refrigerator, and wet bar to ensure consistent water quality throughout the home. Brightwater Kinetico manages the installation process, which centralizes the filtration hardware within the utility room.
Timeline
1871: The founder of Hubbell Realty helped establish the original Des Moines water works.
October 1, 2026: Reverse osmosis systems became standard in all new Hubbell Homes constructions.
Culture Shift
The move to standard filtration follows the recent operational history of the Des Moines Water Works nitrate removal plant. This reflects a growing prioritization of in-home water quality solutions as regional utility systems manage increasing environmental treatment demands.
New homebuyers in the region will now receive high-grade filtration without paying the $3,000 unit cost at closing. This change eliminates the need for owners to coordinate their own aftermarket installations for kitchen and wet bar water access.
The takeaway
Homeowners should consider that centralizing water filtration at the point of entry or within a utility room can provide consistent results across multiple fixtures. This installation pattern simplifies maintenance and ensures that filtered water is available throughout the primary kitchen and dining spaces.
Further reading
For more on local building trends, visit the Des Moines Home Renovation section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Who13.
Live Poll
Would you pay a higher home price to have water filtration systems included as a standard?
