A leak detection system for a water filter, comprising: a filter cartridge with an infrared graphical index on an outer surface of the filter cartridge ; an infrared camera configured for capturing an image of the infrared graphical index on the outer surface of the filter cartridge ; characterized by a controller in operative communication with the infrared camera , the controller configured for comparing the image of the infrared graphical index on the outer surface of the filter cartridge to a reference image , the reference image being an image of the infrared graphical index on the outer surface of the filter cartridge from the infrared camera when the filter cartridge is not leaking, the controller further configured for determining that the filter cartridge is leaking and liquid water is present on the outer surface of the filter cartridge when a difference between the image of the infrared graphical index on the outer surface of the filter cartridge and the reference image is greater than a threshold difference, said difference reflecting the distortion of the image relative to the reference image due to the presence of liquid water on the infrared graphical index , further comprising a supply valve operable to block a flow of water to the filter cartridge , the controller configured for closing the supply valve in response to the controller determining that the filter cartridge is leaking, wherein the controller is configured for transmitting a leak alert via a network interface in response to the controller determining that the filter cartridge is leaking, wherein the infrared graphical index comprises an infrared reflective surface and an infrared absorbent surface, wherein the infrared graphical index comprises an infrared reflective ink printed onto the outer surface of the filter cartridge . a filter cartridge with an infrared graphical index on an outer surface of the filter cartridge ; an infrared camera configured for capturing an image of the infrared graphical index on the outer surface of the filter cartridge ; characterized by a controller in operative communication with the infrared camera , the controller configured for comparing the image of the infrared graphical index on the outer surface of the filter cartridge to a reference image , the reference image being an image of the infrared graphical index on the outer surface of the filter cartridge from the infrared camera when the filter cartridge is not leaking, the controller further configured for determining that the filter cartridge is leaking and liquid water is present on the outer surface of the filter cartridge when a difference between the image of the infrared graphical index on the outer surface of the filter cartridge and the reference image is greater than a threshold difference, said difference reflecting the distortion of the image relative to the reference image due to the presence of liquid water on the infrared graphical index , further comprising a supply valve operable to block a flow of water to the filter cartridge , the controller configured for closing the supply valve in response to the controller determining that the filter cartridge is leaking, wherein the controller is configured for transmitting a leak alert via a network interface in response to the controller determining that the filter cartridge is leaking, wherein the infrared graphical index comprises an infrared reflective surface and an infrared absorbent surface, wherein the infrared graphical index comprises an infrared reflective ink printed onto the outer surface of the filter cartridge . <EOS>