Brita Water Filters
...The Best Known Pitcher Filters

Who Needs It?

Brita water filters, which come in many models, are for those who are looking for an inexpensive and convenient water filter to improve the taste and color of their water. It does a good job of removing chlorine from your water. If you don't mind the slowness of the filtering process of a pitcher filter and if you don't intend using filtered water for cooking, it might be the filter you are looking for. It gives you a ready source of cold drinking water for two or three people and the convenience of taking good water on a picnic or camping trip.

Its Claim to Excellence

Brita water filters of the pitcher type are NSF certified for NSF 42, having to do with taste and smell, and NSF 53, having to do with certain other contaminants. It is not certified to remove Cryptosporidium cysts or Giardia cysts.

Brita water filters use an ion-exchange filter for reducing lead (93%). Colin Ingram, author of The Drinking Water Book gives it an "acceptable" rating which is the lowest of his four ratings going from "acceptable" to "good" to "very good" to "excellent". His definition of "acceptable" is that it "improves tap water". All pitcher filters are rated "acceptable" by Colin Ingram because of their limited ability to remove contaminants from water.

Most customer reviews are positive. One owner says, "This is a terrific product. The water tastes better than any bottled water I've ever found, using a Brita leaves a very small carbon footprint (a new filter every 3 months is required) and it saves money and resources. I think by using the Brita we have not used over 1,500 plastic bottles in the course of a year."

Negative comments include, "...in the three weeks we've had it, the lid has fallen off four times while pouring. The lid does not go on securely, so if you tip it slightly too much while pouring, the lid comes off (along with all the water in the reservoir)." Another customer says, "Awesome pitcher. The only downside is it doesn't hold large amount of water. If I put 2 quarts in it, it's completely full. It may just be me, but I drink a lot of water."

Its Features/Advantages

• It has one stage or level of filtration and has an ion-exchange filter for reducing lead.
• It can hold 8 cups of water (2 gal.)
• It removes 93% of the lead and 75% of chlorination by-products (ThMs).
• It has a carbon filter which is NSF certified.

Disadvantages

Brita water filters filter water slowly which is characteristic of pitcher filters in general. The speed depends somewhat on the use of the filter. The longer it's used the slower it gets. Because of this, it is not adequate for a large family or for cooking needs. Furthermore, because of the very nature of pitcher filters, they cannot begin to compare with much larger and more expensive filters when it comes to removing contaminants that can effect your health.

What Contaminants Does It Remove?

It is NSF International certified for Standards 42 and 53.

It is certified to reduce chlorination by-product (ThMs), Lead, Mercury, Copper, Cadmium, Zinc, Chlorine, Benzene as well as taste and odor.

Cost?

1. Initial cost: $10.00 to $35.00

2. Cost for replacement filters: $7.00 (every 2 months)

3. Capacity: 30 gallons

4. Cost per gallon: 23¢

Where to Purchase?

Amazon.com

At A Glance

For Further Information

For information on other pitcher filters go to Brita Water Filters.