Yes, select Brita filters reduce copper in your drinking water. Specifically, the Brita Standard and Brita Plus pitcher filters utilize an ion-exchange resin that captures heavy metals, including copper and zinc.
This table lists all the contaminants our filters are certified to reduce including chlorine, lead and copper so you can pick the best filter for great-tasting water. Note, Brita® filters keep a healthy level of fluoride, a water additive that promotes strong teeth ¹ BritaPlus™ available only on Amazon *vs.
Yes, certain Brita filters are designed to reduce specific heavy metals like lead, copper, cadmium, and mercury. However, this ability depends on the exact model you are using, as standard filters lack this capability.
The absolute best filters for removing copper are Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems and Distillation. These methods remove up to 97-99% of heavy metals. For simpler, non-plumbed solutions, high-quality Ion-Exchange or Activated Carbon filters can also effectively reduce copper levels to safe drinking limits.
Standard Brita filters are designed to improve taste and odor by removing chlorine, but they do not filter out several critical contaminants.
Brita filters are ineffective against substances such as nitrates, bacteria, and certain chemicals. If your water supply is contaminated with these, you may need to explore additional treatment options.
The proposed class-action lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims that deceptive advertising has led customers to falsely believe that Brita products filter such contaminants as arsenic, nitrate, hexavalent chromium and certain PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” from tap water.
Eating foods or drinking water containing high levels of copper can cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Symptoms usually resolve once the exposure stops. Exposure to copper contaminated water can cause blue or green discolouration of the skin and hair. Skin and eye irritation can also occur.
Devices such as reverse osmosis systems or distillers can effectively remove lead and copper from your drinking water. Some activated carbon filters may reduce lead levels at the tap; however, all lead and copper reduction claims should be investigated.
Copper is not inherently "better" for drinking water, though it has natural antimicrobial properties that can help sterilize water over long periods. While copper vessels are culturally significant and useful for purifying microbiologically unsafe water, you do not need them for everyday hydration.
For confirmed heavy metal poisoning, heavy metals are pulled out of the body using prescription medications called chelating agents (such as EDTA or DMSA). For general wellness, there is no scientific evidence that over-the-counter supplements or diets successfully "cleanse" heavy metals, as your liver and kidneys already filter them out.
No, coffee is not considered high in heavy metals.
Our Brita Elite™ Filters remove 99% of lead* and reduce 5x as many contaminants than our Original Filters for safer tap water*. These replacement filters last 6 months, so you only have to change them twice a year‡.
The body primarily removes excess copper through the liver, which filters it out into digestive bile and excretes it via feces. Small amounts are also filtered and excreted through urine.
Reverse osmosis, distillation, and ion exchange are three effective methods to remove copper from water. It's worth knowing that boiling is not only incapable of removing the copper in the water but also increases the copper concentration in the water due to the evaporation of the water.
Copper helps regulate proper thyroid gland functioning by assisting in hormone production and absorption. Enough copper allows thyroid hormones to be sufficiently absorbed by body cells, optimising metabolism.
Reverse osmosis typically removes 97-98% of copper from water.
High copper levels in tap water are rarely caused by natural sources. The primary cause is corrosion of household plumbing, where water dissolves copper and brass from pipes, fittings, and fixtures as it sits in your home's system.
There is no single state with universally the "worst" tap water, as quality varies by utility. However, based on high contaminant counts, EPA violations, and population exposure, Texas and New Jersey consistently rank at the bottom.
Detoxing from excess copper requires a targeted approach aimed at halting exposure, flushing existing copper from the system, and restoring healthy mineral balances. Because copper overload can be toxic to the liver and kidneys, you should always consult with a physician or a registered dietitian before beginning a strict detox regimen.
Beef Liver
Beef liver contains the most amount of copper per serving of any food. Whether braised or fried, a 4-ounce serving contains 16,070 micrograms, almost 10 times your daily value. It's such a rich copper source that sources advise eating it only once weekly to avoid possible toxicity symptoms.
Ingesting a high amount of copper, usually in drinking water, can cause vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and/or diarrhea. Ingesting higher than recommended amounts of copper every day over time, such as in water or in copper supplements, can lead to severe illness, such as kidney and liver damage.
No, Brita pitcher filters are not certified to remove or reduce bacteria (e.g. E. coli), protozoan cysts (e.g. Cryptosporidium and Giardia), or other waterborne pathogens. Waterborne pathogens in tap water are best treated with a point of entry system employing either UV or chlorine disinfection.
Reverse Osmosis Water
Reverse osmosis is one of the most common filtration methods to purify drinking water. Therefore, this type of water ranks among the healthiest to drink because it eliminates hazardous contaminants, such as lead and arsenic.
Do not put in the mixed recycling bins. Put in the Garbage or check out the TERRACYCLE mail-in recycling program. Brita® has teamed up with TerraCycle® to bring you a national recycling solution for Brita® filters, pitchers, dispensers, bottles, faucet systems, and packaging.