This page documents how we produce content at Water Independence Hub. It covers research, fact-checking, sourcing, updates, and how we handle corrections. We publish it because trust is earned by showing your work, not by claiming it.
Research
Every article begins with research against primary sources where they exist:
- Peer-reviewed studies for science-based claims (atmospheric humidity, contaminant health effects, filtration efficacy).
- Government data — EPA, USGS, CDC, FEMA — for water-quality and preparedness statistics.
- Manufacturer specifications and independent product testing for product reviews.
- Field reports from off-grid operators, homesteaders, and emergency-preparedness practitioners for real-world performance.
Where we synthesize across sources, we say so. Where a claim is inferred rather than directly cited, we flag the uncertainty.
Writing
Articles are written to be useful, not impressive. We avoid jargon when plain language works. We avoid hype. We name limitations and uncertainty. We write like we’d want someone to write for us.
Length is determined by the subject, not by SEO targets. Some topics need 500 words. Others need 3,000. We aim for the shortest article that fully covers the question.
Fact-Checking
Every numerical claim — yields, costs, percentages, statistics — is checked against at least two independent sources before publication. Where sources disagree, we either pick the more credible one and note the disagreement, or we publish a range.
Health, legal, and safety claims receive extra scrutiny. We cite specific studies or regulatory bodies for these claims rather than relying on summary articles.
Product Reviews
For product reviews, our standard is:
- We evaluate the actual product, including its limitations.
- We are explicit about who the product is and isn’t for.
- We disclose any affiliate relationship clearly.
- We do not accept payment for positive reviews under any circumstances.
- We update or remove recommendations if a product stops being worth recommending.
Updates
The water-systems landscape changes — products evolve, regulations shift, science advances. Articles include a “Last updated” date. When we make material updates, we revise the date and note significant changes at the top of the article.
We review high-traffic articles annually and update them when the underlying information has shifted enough to matter.
Corrections
If we get something wrong, we fix it and add a correction note. Material corrections — ones that change the takeaway of the article — are flagged at the top of the article. Minor corrections (typos, broken links) are silently fixed.
If you spot an error, please email editor@waterindependencehub.com. Reader corrections are some of the highest-value feedback we receive.
Sourcing & Citations
We link to primary sources directly where it serves the reader. We don’t pad articles with citations to demonstrate credibility — citations should help the reader, not flatter the author.
Independence
No advertiser, sponsor, or affiliate partner has the right to approve, edit, or veto our content. We participate in affiliate programs because they let us keep this resource free. They do not control what we write. See our Affiliate Disclosure for the full mechanics.
AI Disclosure
We use AI tools to assist with research synthesis, drafting, and editing. Every article is reviewed and edited by a human editor before publication. The editorial judgment — what to cover, how to cover it, what to recommend, what to leave out — is human. We do not publish content that has not been reviewed by a human.
Questions or Feedback
If you have questions about our editorial standards or want to flag a concern, email editor@waterindependencehub.com.