The answer is yes: Brita filters do work, and they can effectively remove impurities from your tap water.
The Standard and Brita Elite filters are both certified under NSF/ANSI 53 for reducing some heavy metals, including mercury and cadmium, in drinking water. The Standard filter is also certified under NSF/ANSI 42 for reducing zinc (to address taste, color, and odor issues), and under NSF/ANSI 53 for reducing copper.
The Hidden Build-Up In Brita Filters
Tap Water, Brita water filters do not actually kill the microorganisms that may be found in your in-home water supply. In fact, because the filter is not designed to kill bacteria, it becomes a breeding ground for microorganisms, especially if you fail to conduct proper maintenance.
Brita Standard
Brita is probably the best-known of the water filter pitcher brands and it performed well in our testing, second only to the ZeroWater in the overall removal of dissolved materials. The Brita removed about 40% of the TDS. Not a bad showing but still significantly less than the winner.
Filter water vs. bottled water. Although both filtered water and bottled water can provide healthier, better-tasting water, the cost-effectiveness and smaller environmental impact of filtered water beats out bottled water at every turn.
The filter also reduces the amount of zinc, lead and asbestos that may be present in tap water. Additionally, it reduces the amount of sediment, dirt and rust that can affect the taste and appearance of your water. It does not remove contaminants like pesticides, trace pharmaceuticals, fluoride, bacteria and viruses.
What Is The Healthiest Water To Drink? When sourced and stored safely, spring water is typically the healthiest option. When spring water is tested, and minimally processed, it offers the rich mineral profile that our bodies desperately crave.
Brita surpasses Pur in overall water taste, filter lifespan, filter replacement cost, and pitcher options. However, the whole point of a water filter pitcher is to actually remove contaminants, and the Pur filters reduce and remove more chemicals from the water than the Brita pitchers do.
Reverse Osmosis Systems
A reverse osmosis system combined with a carbon filter is most effective at removing water contaminants.
Because Brita pitchers are constantly exposed to moisture, they can grow mold and mildew. Our handy guide will show you how to get rid of mold growth in your water filter, and we'll provide tips on keeping mold out of your drinking water too!
Because the filter cannot kill bacteria, it may actually becomes a breeding ground for the microorganisms if not changed regularly. An old, unchanged PoU filter can be dangerous because its use may add bacteria, which had been killed in the tap by chlorine, back into water.
Brita) do not remove e. coli. e. coli are too small and simply pass through these filters.
The levels of chlorine in the drinking water are non-toxic, so you may not need a filter. However, consumption over time may have health consequences.
Store your Brita® pitcher in a cool, dim place. Don't keep your Brita in bright sunlight, as it can cause algae to grow. Keep your Brita in the refrigerator if you plan to be away for longer than a couple of days.
Mold in a Brita filter is caused by a lack of cleaning and failure to replace the filters on time, a humid environment, or organic materials in your water. Use white vinegar to clean your Brita system at least once a month to remove mold.
It is best to use a point-of-entry filter system (where your water pipe enters your house), or whole-house filter system, for VOCs because they provide safe water for bathing and cleaning, as well as for cooking and drinking. Activated carbon filters can remove some VOCs.
Reverse osmosis systems are best suited for domestic use and provide a highly efficient way to purify your drinking water at home. Increasingly, these systems are also used in hospitality environments to treat water made for coffee as they offer the finest level of filtration available.
Less effective: A water filter pitcher isn't comprehensive enough to reduce the presence of many significant contaminants. That means it's not a reliable solution for many water quality problems.
Fluoride is notoriously difficult to remove from tap water. Brita filters remove chlorine, lead, VOCs, and some of the easy stuff, but they can't remove fluoride.
Replace your Brita Stream® Filter every 40 gallons, or about every 2 months. If you have hard water, you may need to change filters more often. When you install a new filter, use your built-in electronic filter indicator or SmartLight™ filter indicator so you'll know exactly when to replace it.
Pure, naturally-filtered water is the best thing you can drink for good kidney health. And installing a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and convenient bottled water cooler can be the best way to get it.
About 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day for men. About 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day for women.