Well, if you consider a dark, damp net that's been catching bacteria for the last four months to be "good," then sure. Despite what most of us want to believe, Brita filters aren't designed to filter out bacteria or viruses. What's even scarier are the results of a study that compared the microbiological contamination of tap water to Brita filtered water.
In some cases, the filtered water contained a whopping 10, times the bacteria colony count as tap water. Granted, these were new Brita filters, so these findings probably don't apply to your aging filter Now, not only is your filter completely ineffective at filtering out actual dangers in your water, but it's also providing a romantic getaway for bacteria colonies.
What's a thirsty girl to do? When it comes to your water, knowing really is half the battle. Thanks to those handy EPA water reports, you can pretty easily find out what's lurking in your tap water.
Once you've seen the report and probably scared yourself half to death , finding the right filter is pretty straightforward. If your water is full of legionella, bromate, and barium, just make sure those are listed contaminants on the water filter.
You can always enter the filter's model number on the NSF site just to double check; if your water's contaminants are nowhere to be found, then put that glorified pitcher back down, and move on to the next one.
Your bff in Houston might sweeeear by the filter she uses. But if you're in Kansas City, that filter might be about as useful to you as an asshole on your elbow. And just in case it's not clear, that's pretty useless. And if you're looking for a comprehensive guide to water filters, the Environmental Working Group has done tremendous work cataloging the various options by filtration type and contaminants in its water filter buying guide.
Using the right water filter can be the difference between a BB gun and a bazooka. Buy the wrong one, and you might as well be filtering your water with a cheese cloth. Life is in the details, so always check the fine print in your water report and the water filter to make sure you're not just tossing your money down the drain.
According to Brita, certain systems will filter the following:. Some people have concerns that filtering water will remove fluoride, a water additive that promotes strong teeth.
According to its manufacturers, Brita retains a healthy level of fluoride in the filtered water. Lead contamination is often a primary concern when it comes to drinking tap water, according to the Lead Education and Abatement Design Group. So, do Brita filters remove lead? Research has found that Brita's filtering systems consistently filtered 80 percent or more of both lead and copper, according to the Lead Education and Abatement Design Group.
When used properly, Brita filters meet regulatory guidelines. It's important to find out which kinds of contaminants your water contains before choosing a filter, according to Consumer Reports.
If your main concern is taste, some models are designed specifically to improve the flavor of your H2O. If you use a public water system, contact your supplier to inquire about water testing results.
The EPA also lists certified water testing labs by state. If you get water from a well, the CDC recommends contacting your local health department for assistance in locating an agency qualified to test your well water. Local health departments can often test well water free of charge as well, according to the EPA. Brita also recommends determining water quality before purchasing a water filtration system.
Once you are aware of the materials and chemicals in your drinking water, you will be in a better position to purchase the best system for your needs. Drinking water regularly has many health benefits. Water filters can make water taste better, which may make you more likely to drink it.
Water filters can also benefit the environment by reducing the amount of plastic bottles used and discarded. When you switch to a filtration system, you can replace up to 1, single-use plastic bottles per year, according to Brita.
The brand has partnered with Terracycle , a global leader in recycling, to keep Brita products out of landfills. The program helps people recycle Brita filters, pitchers, dispensers, bottles, faucet systems and packaging. Nutrition Nutrition Basics Beverages and Health.
By Kate Bratskeir Updated May 4, The large surface area of the carbon acts like a sponge that absorbs contaminants as tap water passes through. These filters remove:. For example, the Brita water filter pitcher uses a coconut-based activated carbon filter that removes chlorine, zinc, copper, cadmium and mercury. Other at-home filter treatments include reverse osmosis and distillation units, which are the most effective but also much more expensive and complex.
These include things like refrigerator filters, under-the-sink filters, and even filtrations systems for your entire house. The product instructions should tell you how long your filter will last. Here are examples of how often you need to replace the filter for five popular brands of water filter pitchers. These may vary slightly depending on how often you use the pitcher. An old filter is not only going to be less effective — and crazy slow — but also really gross and grimy.
As we mentioned, your water filter is not killing bacteria. The moist environment in the pitcher filter is perfect for multiplication, so bacteria can reach higher concentrations. This can make you sick if you continue to use the old filter. An older German study found that the amount of bacteria was less in tap water than filtered water after one week of use at two different temperatures.
Researchers concluded that the filter had a biofilm growing on it, and in some cases the bacteria colony counts in the filtered water was up to 10, times those in the tap water. But even treated water can still contain physical, biological, chemical, and even radiological contaminants. Contaminants can be naturally occurring or caused by human activity. The list of junk that can end up in your drinking water is pretty extensive, according to the Environmental Protection Agency EPA , and can include things like lead, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and other heavy metals.
Some contaminants are harmless, but others can be harmful at high levels. Lead poisoning can occur if lead pipes or faucets are used in your plumbing system, typically when they corrode. Poisoning can cause delays in development and learning disabilities in children.
In adults, it can cause kidney issues and high blood pressure. The only way to know if there is lead in your water is to have it tested, because you cannot see, smell or taste it, according to the CDC.
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