Don't panic. First, you need to shut off the water.
- Go under the sink and locate the cold water shutoff valve. Turn it off completely.
- Once the water is off, identify which connection is leaking. It will be either where the existing cold water line connects to the filter outlet (top cap) or where the braided hose connects to the filter inlet (bottom cap).
- For a plastic tubing connection, tighten it by hand, then give it one full turn with a wrench. For other connections, hand-tighten first, then turn an additional half-turn with a wrench. Do not over-tighten.
- Slowly reopen the shutoff valve, turning it just a quarter turn at a time. Check the connection again. If it still leaks, shut the water off and tighten it another quarter turn. Repeat until it's leak-free.
If the leak persists or you see a crack in the housing, stop and call APEC Water support immediately at (800) 880-4808.