Do Water Filter Pitchers Work?

Last Updated on September 8, 2023 by Nigel Pearson

Water filter pitchers are an effective way to reduce contaminants in drinking water, but it’s important to note that they don’t remove all impurities. It’s best to use a filter pitcher in conjunction with other methods of purification such as boiling or distilling your water for the most thorough purification possible. With proper maintenance and use, water filter pitchers can provide safe drinking water for years to come.

What Are Water Filter Pitchers?

Water filter pitchers are devices that purify drinking water. Typically made of plastic, glass, and steel these pitchers have a lid and filter cartridge that sits inside the pitcher.

How Do Water Filter Pitchers Work?

• Water filter pitchers use filters to remove impurities from the water. These filters contain activated carbon, which traps particles in the water as it passes through.
• Water is poured into the top of the device and passes through the filter before it is extracted from the reservoir.
• As the water passes through the filter, it is cleaned and made safe to drink. The filters also improve the taste and smell of your drinking water by removing odors and reducing chlorine levels.
• It removes impurities such as heavy metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other substances that can be harmful if consumed.
• Some water filter pitchers also contain additional features such as mineral stones and pH balancers for added purification benefits.

Not All Water Filter Pitchers Are The Same

Different brands and models can have different filter capacities, so it is important to check the label to make sure you are getting a product that meets your needs.

Water Filter Pitchers Remove

• Chlorine
• Lead
• Mercury
• Pesticides
• Pharmaceuticals
• Fluoride
• Microplastics
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
• Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs)
• Chlorine
• Chloramine
• Disinfection byproducts
• Lead
• Chromium 6
• Mercury and other heavy metals
• Pesticides
• Perfluorinated chemicals
• Pharmaceuticals
• Volatile organic compounds
• Fluoride

Water Filter Pitchers Cannot Remove

Hard Water: Water filter pitchers are not effective in removing calcium and magnesium minerals that cause hard water.

Fluoride: Water filter pitchers cannot reduce fluoride levels in drinking water.

Chloramine: Chloramine is the combination of chlorine and ammonia that may difficult for activated carbon to remove.

Bacteria And Viruses: Water filter pitchers are not effective in removing bacteria, viruses, and other microbes. This is because the filtration systems used by these pitchers only block particles bigger than 0.5 microns in size. Bacteria and viruses are much smaller than this, so they cannot be filtered out with a water filter pitcher.

Asbestos And Microplastics: Water filter pitchers are not effective in removing asbestos or microplastics from drinking water due to the size of asbestos and microplastics. so they cannot be filtered out with these pitchers.

Maintaining Plastic Water Filters

• Hand-wash plastic water filters with warm water and rinse thoroughly before use.
• Do not clean with abrasive cleaners or scrubbers as this could damage the filter material.
• Replace your filter regularly, as recommended by the manufacturer.
• Do not immerse your water filter pitcher in hot water or allow it to freeze, which can damage materials and reduce the effectiveness of filtration.

Advantages Of Water Filter Pitchers

Enjoy A Cleaner And Fresher Water Experience: The primary benefit of using a water filter pitcher is the improved quality of your drinking water. Most pitchers come with carbon filters that can filter out chlorine, sediments, odors, bad taste, and other impurities from tap water, giving you clean and fresh-tasting drinking water.

Cost Savings: The cost of installing a whole-house filtration system can be expensive, so a water filter pitcher is an affordable way to get clean, filtered drinking water.

Convenience: Most water filter pitchers are designed with convenience in mind. They are easy to fill and the filters can be quickly replaced, making them a hassle-free way to ensure that you have access to clean and safe drinking water.

Pitchers come with features like LED indicators that let you know when it’s time to replace the filter or a handle for easy carrying. Most models fit easily into refrigerators, so you can enjoy cold, filtered water without having to install an expensive cooling system.

Certified To NSF Standards: Water filter pitchers contain filters that are certified to NSF standards. This means they have been tested and evaluated to meet specific performance requirements including the contaminants they reduce from your drinking water.

Portability: Water filter pitchers are highly portable and can be taken anywhere, making them ideal for camping trips, picnics, and other outdoor activities. They are also great for college dorms or small apartments since they don’t take up much space.

Environmental Benefits: Using a water filter pitcher is better for the environment than buying plastic bottled water, which can produce a lot of waste. You will be reducing the number of contaminants in your drinking water, which can have a positive impact on your health and the environment.

Disadvantages Of Water Filter Pitchers

Frequent Maintenance: Water filter pitchers require frequent maintenance. The filters need to be changed every two to three months, depending on the size and type of water pitcher you use. This can become costly over time, as replacement filters can run up to $7 to $10 for a single filter.

Slower Filtration Rate: Water filter pitchers typically take several minutes to complete a full cycle of filtration. This can be a bit inconvenient since you have to wait longer for clean filtered water. It also has limited space inside the pitcher of about 8 to 10 cups of water.

Inadequate Filtering Capacity: Water filter pitchers are not designed to remove all impurities from your water. They are limited in what they can filter out, so you may still be exposed to some contaminants like ammonia or microbiological impurities. Therefore, it is important to do your research and choose the right water pitcher for your needs.

Water Filter Pitcher Alternatives

• Reverse osmosis systems are one of the most effective ways to filter water, as they can remove more than 99% of contaminants.

  

• Under-sink filters attach directly to your home’s plumbing and provide a steady supply of clean water on demand.

  

• Countertop filters offer an economical way to quickly filter small amounts of water.

  

• Whole house systems filter all the water that enters your home, providing clean and safe drinking water throughout your entire household.

  

• UV filters use ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria and other microorganisms in the water, making them an ideal choice for well water supplies or areas with high levels of contamination.

  

Tips

• Always follow the instructions that come with your filter pitcher to ensure it is working correctly.
• Look for a water filter pitcher that is certified by an independent testing organization to meet NSF/ANSI standards for specific contaminants.
• Check with your local municipality to determine which contaminants are present in your tap water supply and choose a filter pitcher accordingly.

FAQs

Are Water Filter Pitchers Necessary?

Water filter pitchers are not necessary for everyone, but they can be useful for those who want to improve the taste and quality of their drinking water. If you have poor-tasting or contaminated water from your tap, then a filter pitcher is a good option to consider.

What Is The Best Water Filter Pitcher?

The best water filter pitcher will depend on your needs and budget. There are a variety of different water filter pitchers available, so it is important to consider what type of filtration you need, how much water you want to filter at once, and the features that are most important to you.

Is A Water Filter Pitcher Truly The Superior Choice Compared To Bottled Water?

Bottled water can be convenient, but it is often expensive and may not be recyclable. While a water filter pitcher is an economical way to filter large amounts of water quickly and easily.

Is It Safe To Rely On Plastic Water Filter Pitchers For Cleaner Drinking Water?

Yes, it is safe to use plastic water filter pitchers for cleaner drinking water as most plastic water filter pitchers are BPA-free.

Are Water Filter Pitchers Safe?

Water filter pitchers are considered to be safe for home use. They use a number of filtration techniques such as activated charcoal, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis to remove impurities from water.

Is It Possible To Purify Bacteria With Water Filter Pitchers?

Water filter pitchers are designed to remove many impurities from water, but it is not possible to purify bacteria with these devices.

Conclusion

Water filter pitchers are an effective way to get clean, filtered drinking water without breaking the bank or sacrificing convenience. If you are considering a water filter pitcher for your home, it is important to determine the model you choose. This will help ensure that you receive the highest quality of clean and safe drinking water.