Worried about the chlorine in your water? If so, you may be asking yourself if Brita filters can remove chlorine.
Fortunately, all Brita pitchers and faucet filters remove up to 99% of chlorine from tap water. Brita filters also reduce the level of chloramines, another disinfectant, but not as well. Not only do Brita filters make your water taste better, but they also remove other contaminants in your water like VOCs and lead. meaning you can drink with peace of mind. Find out more about how Brita filters work here.
When it comes to water filters, Brita is one of the most popular brands. But do Brita filters remove chlorine? And if so, how well? In this comprehensive blog post, we will answer that question and discuss everything you need to know about chlorine and Brita filters.
Read my comprehensive article about the topic do pitcher filters remove chlorine.
Table of Contents
Do Brita Filters Remove Chlorine from Water
Brita filters are very effective at removing chlorine from your water. The Brita website states:
All Brita® filters are designed to reduce chlorine taste and odor from your tap.
Brita website
The Water Quality Association (WQA) tested Brita’s Longlast+ filter at a concentration of 2 ppm and found that it removed an average of 97.4% of the chlorine. This independent, third-party certification agency verifies the claims made by manufacturers. They are a reliable and trustworthy source of information.
In addition to removing chlorine, Brita filters also reduce the level of lead, PFAS, and other contaminants.
Check out my YouTube video on how well Brita filters remove chlorine.
How do Brita filters work
Brita pitchers and faucet filters use activated carbon to remove chlorine from your tap water. Activated carbon is a type of charcoal that has been treated to have a large surface area. This increased surface area gives the activated carbon more sites to adsorb (or attach) molecules of chlorine.
When water passes through the activated carbon, the chlorine molecules attach to the surface of the carbon and are removed from the water. Brita filters are designed to remove up to 99% of chlorine from your tap water, making it taste and smell better.
Which Brita models remove chlorine from water?
The following Brita products and models reduce the taste and odor of chlorine in drinking water.
- Stream pitcher filters
- Standard filters
- Longlast+ Filters
- Brita bottles
- Faucet systems
Brita filters all remove chlorine from water. The activated carbon media they use is a proven technology for reducing concentrations of chlorine.
Brita Longlast Everyday Water Filter Pitcher
This Brita pitcher filter includes the Longlast filter element for maximum chlorine removal. It is NSF certified to reduce the level of chlorine taste and odor in drinking water. It also removes a long list of contaminants to provide clean, good tasting water.
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Do Brita filters remove chloramines?
Chloramines are difficult to remove from water. Activated carbon is able to reduce the level of this disinfectant, but it can’t remove 100%. The problem with pitcher filters is they don’t have a lot of contact time – the amount of time the water is in contact with the carbon – so they aren’t able to completely remove all of the contaminants.
Brita does not claim to remove chloramines from drinking water. This doesn’t mean that their filters don’t work, but it suggests that Brita isn’t confident it can remove all of this chemical.
Brita Simple filter removes chlorine
The Brita Simple filters are able to effectively remove chlorine from water. These filters use activated carbon which is very effective at reducing the level of chlorine in water.
The Brita website indicates that the Simple filters are made to reduce chlorine levels to improve the taste and quality of tap water.
Brita Longlast+ filter removes chlorine
Brita’s Longlast+ filters effectively remove chlorine from drinking water. These filters use a carbon block media that can reduce the chlorine concentration by 99%+.
On their website, Brita claims that the Longlast+ filter can remove 99% of chlorine from water.
Learn more about Brita filters and the contaminants they can remove from drinking water.
Test Your Drinking Water for Chlorine
Tap Score’s Home Test Kit for Total Chlorine in Drinking Water can help you measure the concentration of chlorine in your drinking water. This test kit includes everything you need to collect a water sample and send it off to Tap Score’s laboratory for certified analysis.
Knowing what’s in your water is the first step to keeping your family safe.
Chlorine in Drinking Water
The US EPA requires public water systems to disinfect their water with chlorine. Chlorine is a powerful disinfectant that kills bacteria and other pathogens, making your drinking water safe for consumption.
While chlorine is essential for ensuring the safety of our drinking water, it can also create unpleasant tastes and smells. In addition, some people worry that high levels of chlorine might be harmful to our health. Chlorine also creates disinfection byproducts (DBPs) when it reacts with organic matter in the water. These DBPs have been linked to cancer and other health problems.
Fortunately, you don’t have to choose between safe drinking water and water that tastes and smells good. Brita filters can remove chlorine from your tap water, giving you the best of both worlds.
Why is chlorine in our drinking water
Chlorine is a very effective disinfectant that is used to prevent waterborne diseases. Since disinfection has been introduced into the water supply, there has been a dramatic decrease in illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery.
In order to ensure the treated water is safe, water utilities add an additional amount of chlorine, known as a residual concentration, to continue to disinfect the water as it flows through the distribution system to your tap.
How much chlorine is in my water
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a safe chlorine level of up to 4 parts per million (ppm) in drinking water. The level of chlorine in your drinking water depends on a number of factors, including the type of treatment process used and the amount of organic matter in the water. By the time the water reaches your home, the levels are typically in the range of 0.02 to 0.04 ppm
While the levels of chlorine in our drinking water are well within safe limits, some people can still taste and smell the chlorine in their tap water. The average person can smell chlorine at concentrations as low as 0.6 ppm.
If you are one of these people, a Brita filter can help remove the chlorine from your tap water, making it taste and smell better.
Issues with chlorine in drinking water
Chlorine is safe to drink as long as the concentration is less than 4 ppm. However, some people are still concerned about the effects of chlorine on their health.
These concerns are largely due to the fact that chlorine can react with organic matter in water to form disinfection byproducts (DBPs). These DBPs, such as trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), have been linked to cancer and other health problems.
The EPA has set maximum levels for these DBPs in drinking water, but some people are still concerned about the potential risks.
NSF and WQA Certification
Third party testing and certification of water filters is important. It allows you to be sure that the claims a manufacturer is making about their product are true.
Brita filters have been independently certified by NSF International and the WQA to reduce chlorine, lead, VOCs, and other impurities in your water.
The WQA tested and certified the Brita Longlast+ Filter for reduction of chlorine and other contaminants. The following Brita models are WQA certified to NSF Standard 42 for chlorine reduction and NSF Standard 53 for health effects related to lead, mercury, cadmium, benzene, and asbestos:
- OB01
- OB11
- OB24
- OB46 (Everyday)
- OB48
- OB51
- OB21
- OB32(Amalfi)
- OB36(Color Series)
- OB41
- OB43(Capri)
- OB44 (Mini Plus)
- OB47
- OB50
- OB53
The Importance of Filter Maintenance for Chlorine Removal
Brita filters are able to remove chlorine and other undesirable contaminants from your drinking water. However, the filters must be changed regularly in order to maintain their performance.
For best results, it is recommended that you change your Brita filter after it processes 120 gallons of water. This works out to every 6 months for the average family. Britia also recommends that you only process 2 gallons of water per day.
You may need to change your filter more frequently if you have hard water or if the chlorine concentration is high.
It’s also important to clean your Brita pitcher or dispenser regularly. A simple cleaning with white vinegar and water can help remove any build-up of contaminants that may be present.
By following these simple tips, you can be sure that your Brita filter is working effectively to remove chlorine from your drinking water.
Other Brands of Pitcher Filters that Remove Chlorine
There are a lot of other brands of pitcher water filters besides Brita. Most of these other brands are also effective at removing chlorine from drinking water. As long as the filter uses activated carbon, it should be able to reduce chlorine levels.
Do PUR filters remove chlorine?
PUR water filters are effective at removing chlorine from water. The PUR Advanced filter is certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for chlorine reduction.
PUR CR1100CV Classic Water Filter Pitcher
The PUR pitcher filter makes 11 cups of water and can remove 99%+ of the chlorine in your water. It also removes a lot of other impurities, giving you clean, safe water.
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Do ZeroWater filters remove chlorine?
ZeroWater pitcher filters are effective at removing chlorine and other impurities from water. Their filters are NSF certified for chlorine removal – it removed 99% of the chlorine during test. The ZeroWater filter has also been independently certified by the NSF to reduce lead, chromium-six, mercury, and other contaminants.
Do Seychelle filters remove chlorine?
Yes, Seychelle pitcher filters are effective at removing chlorine from water. The Seychelle Standard Filter is certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for the reduction of chlorine taste and odor.
Do Epic pitcher filters remove chlorine?
Epic pitcher filters are effective at removing chlorine from water. The Epic Pure Filter is certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for the reduction of chlorine taste and odor.
Do Clearly Filtered filters remove chlorine?
Clearly Filtered pitcher filters are effective at removing chlorine from water. The Clearly Filtered Basic Filter is independently tested to the NSF standards for the reduction of chlorine taste and odor.
Clearly Filtered Pitcher Filter System
The Clearly Filtered pitcher has been proven to be very efficient at removing chlorine. Not only does it have a high capacity, but with its durability and quick-change filters you can process enough water for your family before having any problems.
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What Other Treatment Methods Can Remove Chlorine
Chlorine is a common contaminant in drinking water. There are several treatment methods that effectively remove chlorine from water.
Activated carbon filters remove chlorine
Activated carbon filters are effective at removing chlorine from water. The carbon in the filter binds with the chlorine molecules and removes them from the water.
Activated carbon is a special type of charcoal that has thousands of pores on its surface. These pores are what allow the carbon to bind with chlorine and other contaminants. As water passes through the carbon media, chlorine adsorbs (binds) to the carbon surface and is removed from the water. This process purifies the water and removes the chlorine taste and odor.
Reverse osmosis filters remove chlorine
Reverse osmosis (RO) is a water purification process that uses pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane. The pores in the membrane are small enough to remove chlorine and other contaminants from the water.
RO is one of the most effective ways to remove chlorine from water. It is often used in commercial and industrial settings where water purification is critical.
Express Water RO5DX Reverse Osmosis Filter
The Express Water reverse osmosis filter system uses 5 filter stages to filter your water. This unit is NSF certified to remove contaminants that impact your health from drinking water. I have this filter in my kitchen, and it works very well.
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Water distillers remove chlorine
Distillation is an effective method for removing chlorine from water. This treatment method uses heat to evaporate water and then condenses the steam back into pure water. The impurities, including chlorine, are left behind in the distillation chamber. The condensed water is free of contaminants like chlorine and can be used for drinking or other purposes.
This method is very effective at removing chlorine from water, but it typically only able to treat a small batch of water at a time. It works fine for making drinking water in your kitchen but isn’t effective for large scale water purification.
VIVOHOME Brushed 304 Stainless Steel Water Distiller
The Vivo countertop water distiller makes 4 liters of filtered water at a time. I like the brushed stainless steel finish because it looks great sitting in your kitchen. If you can’t install a treatment system under your sink, this is a great option.
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Big Berkey filter removes chlorine
The Big Berkey water filter is an effective way to remove chlorine from your drinking water. This filter uses a process called adsorption to bind the chlorine molecules to the surface of the filter media. As water passes through the filter, the chlorine is removed, and the water is purified.
The Big Berkey filters are certified by NSF International to reduce chlorine, lead, and other heavy metals from your drinking water.
Imperial Berkey Gravity-Fed Water Filter
This Berkey filter can make enough water for 4 to 8 people. If you order the unit with two Black Berkey Elements, it can make about 6,000 gallons of clean water before you have to replace the filters.
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Testing the Chlorine Concentration in Your Water
If you’re curious about the concentration of chlorine in your water, there are several methods for testing.
You can use a chlorine test strip to get an approximate measurement of the chlorine levels in your water. These strips are easy to use and give you a quick reading of the chlorine levels.
Another option is using a reagent test kit, which is a more accurate way to test for chlorine. This method uses a chemical reaction to measure the concentration of chlorine in your water.
FAQs
Do refrigerator water filters remove chlorine?
Most refrigerator filters are effective at removing chlorine from water used for drinking and ice. Make certain the filter uses activated carbon to get the best results. Some refrigerator filters only remove sediment and can’t remove chlorine.
Is chlorine in drinking water bad for me?
Chlorine is added to drinking water as a disinfectant to kill bacteria and other contaminants. The levels of chlorine in drinking water are safe for most people. However, some people may be sensitive to chlorine and may experience skin irritation or gastrointestinal issues when exposed to chlorinated water.
What is the best way to remove chlorine from my water?
There are several ways to remove chlorine from water, including activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis filters, and distillation. Some methods are more effective than others, but the best way to remove chlorine depends on your needs and preferences.
Do Brita filters remove fluoride from drinking water?
Brita pitcher filters do not remove fluoride from water.
Do Brita filters remove lead from drinking water?
Some Brita pitcher filters are able to remove lead to below the drinking water standard. Read my article on Brita pitcher filters and lead removal for more information.
Do Brita filters remove PFAS from drinking water?
Some Brita filters can remove PFAS from your water. The activated carbon in the filter is able to reduce the level of these forever chemicals.
Conclusions
So, do Brita filters remove chlorine from water? The answer is a resounding yes. Brita pitchers and faucet filters are effective at removing chlorine as well as chloramines – two common disinfectants used in water treatment. If you’re looking for an affordable and easy way to reduce the amount of chlorine in your drinking water, a Brita filter is a great option. And don’t forget that regularly changing the filter in your Brita pitcher is important to ensure that you and your family are drinking safe, healthy water.