Three well-known filters—Brita, Pur, Zerowater—and an unknown filter were tested with water containing TDS and lead.
Zerowater filtered out the most TDS.
Brita filters remove chlorine and lead from drinking water. Brita filters eliminate chlorine, copper, and lead by 99%. Their new and improved Brita EliteTM Filter removes 99% of lead and the most contaminants compared to other pour-through systems. Brita filters remove chlorine, lead, benzene, sediments, and microplastics. Brita filters have performance data sheets and NSF/ANSI certifications.
All Brita filters cannot remove lead. Brita says only the Longlast+ and faucet filters can remove 99% of lead. Pitcher filters don’t remove lead from water. The Water Quality Association tests lead-removing filters with 150 parts per million contaminated water. Brita’s patented pleated filter technology extends filter life by three times.
Brita filters do more than remove chlorine and lead from water. They can improve water taste and smell, reduce lead, copper, and sediment in drinking water, and reduce the number of plastic water bottles you buy. Brita filters can reduce chlorine and chloramine in water. Still, chloramine requires a longer contact time with the filter media to be completely removed.
I’ve seen Brita filters improve drinking water as a water filter technician. I’ve installed Brita filters in homes worried about tap water safety and taste, and they’re happy. Filters removed chlorine and lead and improved water taste and smell. Brita filters save money and reduce plastic water bottle use. Households looking to improve their drinking water should use Brita filters.
Chlorine
Water supplies are disinfected with chlorine to reduce disease-causing bacteria and microorganisms. It improves water taste and may reduce odors.
However, chlorine can harm your health, especially if you’re sensitive. Excess chlorine can dry, itchy, and flake skin and hair, causing dandruff and itching.
Get a water filter if you’re worried about chlorine in your tap water. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters are popular.
According to the EPA, municipal water treatment facilities should keep residual chlorine levels below four mg/L. However, check with your water company due to slight chlorine variations in tap water.
Lead
Lead is a dangerous heavy metal that can cause kidney and heart failure in adults, reproductive disorders in children, and cancer. Due to this information, many people try to limit their exposure.
Before trying any lead removal methods, the CDC recommends testing the water. This can be done with a free test kit from your local water authority.
Consider installing a whole-home lead filtration solution to filter all water in your home if the results show high lead levels. These systems are expensive but worth it for peace of mind.
The Longlast+ and faucet filter are Brita’s lead-removing models. NSF/ANSI 53, the industry standard for a lead reduction in drinking water, is met by both filters.
Microorganisms
Filters remove contaminants from drinking water to improve taste, odor, and safety. Certain chemicals may even be reduced.
Many people use water filters to remove contaminants like hardness, arsenic, and low fluoride for health reasons.
Active filter agents and mesh media in Brita’s Elite and Longlast+ filters filter chlorine (taste and odor), copper, cadmium, and mercury, which can be harmful if inhaled.
Both filters cannot completely remove lead from drinking water.
Filters should be changed every 40 gallons to prevent lead in drinking water.
However, if you don’t replace your filters, lead in your tap water can build up and cause health problems. The CDC recommends testing your water for lead to see if it’s safe for your family.
Other Contaminants
Some water contaminants are harmful at high concentrations. Lead is toxic when ingested.
Brita filters reduce various pollutants, depending on the model. Some remove copper and zinc from water with ion exchange resin.
They have a carbon block that removes taste and odor from water but cannot kill bacteria.
Adsorption traps contaminants in activated carbon, a popular water treatment method. Chlorine, chlorine compounds, and some pharmaceuticals are removed by activated carbon.
The Longlast+ and standard Brita filters reduce contaminants better than others. For instance, the Standard filter reduces 99% of lead, while the Longlast+ eliminates over 80 contaminants.
