Brita filters aim to deliver clean and great tasting water, which they do a pretty good job of! However, a big concern for many people is they don’t want to drink water that contains bacteria or other nasties. So, how do Brita filters stack up?
Brita filters cannot remove any type of bacteria from water, although they can remove contaminants from water that may affect its taste, smell, or safety. Brita filters can remove asbestos, cadmium, lead, benzene, copper, zinc, mercury, and chlorine.
Let’s take a closer look at different types of Brita filters, their capacity to remove chemical and biological contaminants, mainly bacteria and viruses.
Do Brita Filters Remove or Kill Bacteria in Water?
An Experimental study conducted in In March of 1996 in Germany was published on the US National Library of Medicine (National Institutes of Health), which measured the microbiological quality of filtered water through a Brita filtration system in both households and two laboratory settings. Brita filters showed 10,000 times more bacterial growth during the week it was in use compared to the unfiltered tap water.
Another report by the University of Berkley on December 6, 2000, found that using a Brita filter for filtering tap water is okay if used simply for extra precaution and personal taste preference of the water, but the filter does not kill bacteria.
So, Brita filters are very effective in reducing contaminants in drinking water. Their ability to filter harmful components from the water makes them a go-to choice for many people.
Brita filters help remove:
- cadmium,
- asbestos,
- benzene,
- lead,
- copper,
- chlorine, and
- mercury.
But you can’t get rid of bacteria, viruses, and E-coli using any type of Brita filter.
Brita Filters: Chemical and Biological Contaminant Removal
Brita gives diverse filtration alternatives that can change how water tastes. These filters are National Sanitation Foundation certified that an individual could use to see what components of water the product will filter out.
1- Brita Water Filter Bottle
Brita Water Filter Bottle is a perfect substitute for plastic water bottles, but they cannot remove bacteria from water. They are, however, highly recommended to enjoy great-tasting water. Brita believes it should taste good so, their filters are specially designed to reduce chlorine (taste & odor), zinc, mercury, copper, and cadmium.
Brita filter bottles are available in different sizes (20-ounce and 32-ounce) and plastic and stainless forms.
These bottles are very easy to carry.
Brita’s water bottle filter should be replaced every two months or after 40 gallons. Changing your Brita filter on time is essential to keep it in the best working condition.
2- Brita Water Filter Pitcher
Brita water filter pitchers use a coconut-based activated carbon filter. This filter isn’t suitable for removing bacteria; however, It can reduce chlorine (taste & odor), copper, mercury, cadmium, and zinc.
These pitchers can be used with either the Longlast or standard filters. Additionally, they are very convenient for water filtration with a capacity of up to 10 cups.
It will keep you hydrated with crisp and clean water. Keep it in your refrigerator after filling it with tap water, and you can enjoy clean water the whole day.
3- Brita Water Filter Dispenser
Brita also offers large-capacity water filter dispensers for families, with the potential to minimize chlorine.
These dispensers work well to reduce chlorine, cadmium, copper, mercury, zinc, and other particulates that can adversely affect your health over time. Unfortunately, they don’t work for the removal of biological contaminants such as bacteria and viruses.
You can choose as per your need as it is available in different sizes, i.e., 18 cups and 25 cups. They ca also be used with either the standard or Longlast filter.
4- Brita Faucet Water Filter
Brita faucet water filter makes the water cleaner and great tasting. Additionally, it is easy to install as tools aren’t required. You can set it up in minutes. And they have an electronic indicator to let you know when to replace it.
Using one filter with a faucet system, you can filter 100 gallons of water, and with two filters, 200 gallons of water can be filtered. Brita filters cut the taste and odor of chlorine while reducing copper, cadmium, asbestos, benzene, mercury impurities, all of which can be found in tap water.
Brita faucet filters don’t remove all nitrates, dissolved minerals, or bacteria and viruses in water.
Besides this, Brita filters retain a healthy level of fluoride, a water additive that promotes healthy and strong teeth. This filter should be replaced after approximately every four months.
If you want to know if a Brita faucet filter will work on your particular faucet – go here.
5- Brita Stream Pitcher and Dispenser Replacement Water Filters
Brita Stream Replacement Filters are made with “as-you-pour” technology to provide you filtered water at the fastest speed. With their dual-layer filtration technology and containing activated carbon, they can ideally reduce chlorine taste and odor.
However, the Brita Stream Pitcher or Dispenser filters can’t remove bacteria or viruses.
A single Stream filter can replace 300 standards 16.9-ounce water bottles giving you freshwater with the best taste!
Bacteria Removal: LongLast vs. Standard
Brita LongLast Replacement Filters
Brita Longlast replacement filters don’t have the ability to remove bacteria or viruses from water.
However, Brita Longlast Replacement Filters are fantastic water filters with other great features as given below.
- 6-Month Filter Life
The Longlast replacement filter, as its name indicates, can be used for a longer duration. All Longlast filters have the potential to filter water for up to six consecutive months or 120 gallons. Therefore, replacing the filter won’t cost very much as you only have to do it twice a year.
These filters are available in singles or packs of two. You can purchase a pack of two and enjoy clean water for the entire year.
- NSF/ANSI 53 Certified
Brita filters are NSF/ANSI 53-Certified, ensuring that they are tested with sanitary and strict health standards. NSF certified means that it meets standards of efficacy and sanitation.
This certificate plays a significant role in reassuring consumers that they are drinking contaminated free water. You can easily find this certification label on their products.
- Eliminate 13 Contaminants
According to reports by Brita, the Longlast filter eliminates contaminants including chlorine (taste and smell), asbestos, benzene, cadmium, and lead (up to 99%).
- No Pre-Soak Required
It is not difficult to use Brita filters as they don’t need to soak in water before using. You’ll have perfectly drinkable water right after installing the filter.
Brita Standard Replacement Water Filters
Brita standard replacement filters cannot remove bacteria or viruses from water.
However, Brita Standard Replacement Filters can be a good choice for regular home use based on the following properties.
- 2-Month Filter Life
The Brita standard water filter can be used for two months. The filtration capacity of standard water filters is up to 40 gallons.
- No Pre-Soak Required
Like the Longlast water filters, Brita standard filters don’t require pre-soaking to activate their filters. However, Brita recommends you discard the first 30 cups of water before drinking.
- Removes 4 Contaminants
Standard water filters remove only the most basic elements of tap water. It can remove only chlorine (taste and smell), mercury, cadmium, and copper.
Can Brita Kill Viruses?
Brita filters neither remove nor kill viruses in water. Viruses are too small in size (just nanometers in size) compared to the pore size of Britta filters (0.5 microns), so they can easily pass through these pores.
Can Brita water Filters Remove E-coli?
Brita filters are not capable of removing E-coli, a type of fecal coliform bacteria. You should boil water to remove E-coli from the water.
Can Brita Filters Remove Giardia?
Brita-type filters can’t remove biological nasties such as giardia as they’re are designed to extricate waterborne contaminants such as chemicals and to eliminate sediment. In fact, they aren’t intended to “purify” water.
The Bottomline
Although the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), a regulatory authority in the United States, makes sure that Americans get some of the best water in the World.
But if you don’t like the taste of your water or if you have any concerns about potentially harmful contaminants in your tap water, Brita filters are a very reliable choice.
You can use Brita-filtered water for tea, coffee, cooking, plants, and even animals to quench their thirst. Additional benefits include waste reduction since there are no plastic bottles to throw away or recycle. Switching to Brita cuts your overall plastic waste by up to 80%.
Brita can be a good option for removing things like chlorine and improving the taste of your water. But, Brita filters are no good at removing bacteria or viruses from your drinking water.
