Does Zero Water Filter Remove Fluoride? 3 Important Things to Know

Last Updated: November 30, 2023

Does the Zero water filter remove fluoride? Being in the Aqua industry, I have been asked this question many times by people who are concerned about their health. If you are also one of them, stay with me till the end where I will clear all your doubts. Let’s head on to the next section!

Quick Answer

Though low levels of fluoride may be good for you. According to a study done by Harvard, exposure to high levels of fluoride water can cause fluorosis (damage to the health of teeth and leading to tooth decay), nerve damage, and impact learning, memory, and cognition.

ZeroWater filters do remove some fluoride from your tap water, but not all of it. According to a test done by ZeroWater, their water filters remove 41% of fluoride in a 40-gallon (150-liter) test. They achieve this by using a 5-stage filter rather than the common 2-stage filter.

Keep reading to learn more about how ZeroWater filters remove fluoride from your drinking water. I’ll also share how it does so, and what are the benefits and drawbacks I found after using the Zero water filter. Let’s dive deeper into this informative guide.

Check out my other articles about fluoride treatment:

1. The Complete Guide to Fluoride Water Filters
2. Does Reverse Osmosis Remove Fluoride from Drinking Water? My Data
3. Do Brita Filters Remove Fluoride? The Answer Might Surprise You
4. Do PUR Filters Remove Fluoride?
5. Do Refrigerator Filters Remove Fluoride? Surprising Answer

Do ZeroWater Filters Remove Fluoride from Tap Water?

In the process of Water fluoridation, fluoride is added to tap water. This process has increased the health of people’s teeth by 25%, but that doesn’t mean everyone is comfortable drinking it.

While small levels of fluoride may be healthy for your teeth, some people would prefer to filter it out of their water to avoid dental fluorosis. With this in mind, ZeroWater conducted a test on 40 gallons (150 liters) of water, following all the official guidelines, and found their filter removed 41% of fluoride from tap water.

The following table summarizes the performance of ZeroWater filters in removing fluoride from tap water and explains how it works.

How Do ZeroWater Filters Remove Fluoride?

Every filter on the market must follow certain guidelines to be FDA-approved. These rules have just one thing in mind: the health of the consumers. According to the FDA, a filter is only a filter if it lowers a water’s TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) to 200 ppm or less.

Tap water typically sits around the 500 ppm area, and according to the FDA, anything above 1,000 ppm is considered dangerous and undrinkable.

ZeroWater filters get their TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) down to a whopping 0-1 ppm, enough to be considered bottled water. The way they achieve, this is pretty straightforward.

Related article: Expert Recommendations: Pitcher Water Filters That Remove Fluoride – Water Treatment

How does ZeroWater Remove Fluoride from Water: Stage-by-Stage Guide

While many filters on the market use a 2-step process to filter drinking water, ZeroWater filters use a 5-step process. This is why they can achieve such high results. The five stages of ZeroWater filters are as follows:

1. Stage 1 is a coarse filter screen. This screen begins the filtering process by catching any large particles or solids, such as dust or rust, that may be floating in your tap water. These large particles are primarily responsible for the cloudiness in some tap water.
2. Stage 2 is a foam distributor. This foam distributor is there as a safeguard, catching any particles that may have been just small enough to slip past the first stage.
3. Stage 3 is a multi-layered activated carbon and oxidation reduction alloy. This stage removes any organic compounds, such as pesticides and herbicides. It also is responsible for removing chlorine, chloramine, and mercury.
4. Stage 4 is a dual comprehensive ion exchange resin. Its job is to remove inorganic compounds from the water, such as metals, non-metals, and radiological contaminants. This is the stage where fluoride, a non-metal, is removed.
5. Stage 5 is an ultra-fine screen and non-woven membrane layers. This is the last defense against any very small particles or solids that were just small enough to fit past stages one and two.

As you can see, ZeroWater filters use an accumulation of redundancies and high-quality materials to ensure that the final product is clear, refreshing drinking water.

Pros and Cons of Using ZeroWater Filter System

Here are some of the benefits and downsides of using the ZeroWater filter system:

Does ZeroWater Remove Other Contatimants Besides Fluoride? Zero Water Tester Chart

Now that we have seen how fluoride is removed from the water. You might be wondering if there are any other materials the filter system removes from the water. Let’s find out:

Here is a quick chart to help you see how much organic contaminants can be removed from the filtration:

When Should ZeroWater Filters be Replaced?

Like with any filter, over time, your ZeroWater filter will become worn down and will begin to show signs of it, such as water that is not entirely clean or filtered. For this reason, it is important to regularly replace your ZeroWater filter to ensure you always have the best quality water possible.

As a rule of thumb, ZeroWater filters last for approximately 40 gallons. The average person uses these 40 gallons in three or four months, depending on personal use.

• Frequent use: If you think you use your ZeroWater filter more than the average person, or if you’ve been using it more often lately, perhaps the three-month mark would be a good time for you to replace it.
• Infrequent use: If you use your ZeroWater filter less often than the average person or have been out of town and haven’t used it much, then you might be able to get away with replacing it every four months.

Everyone is different, and everyone uses different amounts of water, so while your neighbor changes theirs every three months, you might be able to get away with it every four months.

Related article: How Does the ZeroWater Filter Indicator Work? – Water Treatment

The Signs It Is Time to Replace Your ZeroWater Filter

If you’re unsure if you should be replacing your filter every three months or every four months, there are some signs you can look for when determining if your water quality has gone down. Some signs to look for are as follows:

1. It has an acidic or lemony taste;
2. Your water has particles floating in it or is cloudy;
3. Your water has a foul smell to it;
4. Your water has a metallic taste to it;
5. It has a meter reading of 6 ppm or higher.

On average, the filter has a capacity of somewhere around 25-40 gallons of water. After this, it is ideal to change the filters. Another thing to look at is the level of the TDs. The lower the TD, the better the working is. The normal range for water should be up to 200.

It is very important to keep on top of replacing a water filter to ensure your water is always clean and healthy for you. Using your senses, such as your eyes, your nose, and your tastebuds, to determine the quality of your water is a great way to know when your water filter should be replaced.

Top 3 ZW Alternatives That Can Remove Fluoride -What Filters Remove Fluoride From Drinking Water?

If you can’t get your hands on a Zero Water filter for some reason, there are also a few other alternatives for removing fluoride from your drinking water that you might be interested in.

In case you want to know what filters remove fluoride from drinking water. I got you. Here are some of the other options you can use instead:

Now that we have learned about the basics, let’s study them in detail:

Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitchers with Affinity Filtration Technology

Here is what you need to know about this outstanding filtration system:

[amazon box=”B076B6FXT5″ title=”Clearly Filtered Water Filter Pitchers”]

• Filtration: According to a study, more than 365 contaminants can be removed from the water using its 3-stage filter including chlorine (99.5 %), VOCs, pesticides, fluoride (99.5 %), and lead (99.3 %)
• Filter Life: This pitcher has a capacity of up to 10 cups and the filter cartridges last about 4 months which comes around to 100 gallons.
• Warranty: They provide you with a lifetime guarantee so you can rest easy knowing you have a quality product in your home.

[/amazon]

Waterdrop 320-gallon Long-Lasting Faucet Water Filter

Let’s see how the waterdrop filter compares:

[amazon box=”B08BLFWD6J” title=”Waterdrop Water Filter”]

• Filtration: The filter works with utmost efficiency to remove arsenic fluoride, chlorine, lead, mercury, pesticides, benzene, and many other contaminants.
• Ease of Use: The waterdrop is not only inexpensive but it is also easy to use and install. Their portable design is easy to take on the go and can be fitted to any glass bottle. You will only need to replace the filter after its 320-gallon capacity has been reached.
• Certification: These products come with certifications from a wide variety of organizations including NSF International, Underwriters Laboratories, and the Water Quality Association.[/amazon]

AquaTru Reverse Osmosis Water System

Lastly, I have an AquaTrue system for you. Let’s see what it has to offer you:

[amazon box=”B01MDLMBKC” title=”AquaTru Reverse Osmosis Water System”]

• Filtration system: The device works on its patented ultra reverse osmosis technology. These often need to be installed under the sink. It skillfully removes contaminants like lead, fluoride, arsenic, chlorides, and other substances from the water with up to 99 % efficiency.
• Convenience: Not only it is portable, but it is also very easy to clean. You will be able to change its filter in 20 seconds. For filtering water, you only need to open the top lid and pour the water for it to do its job. It also doesn’t come with any accessories that need to be installed or fitted.
• Downside: Two things you need to consider are the price tag and the need for electricity. Reverse osmosis runs on electricity so for the filtration to work you will need energy. Another thing to look at is the higher price as compared to waterdrop filters. But if you want to prioritize quality then definitely go for this one.[/amazon]

FAQs

Conclusion

To sum it up, does a Zero water filter remove fluoride? Yes, zero water is a great tool as a house filtration system to ensure your drinking water is always clean and healthy to drink with optimal fluoride levels. Even though fluoride serves a purpose in tap water, that doesn’t mean everyone wishes to drink too much fluoride.

ZeroWater filters most of the toxins, metals, and inorganic metals found in tap water. They are a reliable tool to make your water safe for drinking. It comes with a 5-stage filtration to get the job done. You will need to replace the filter after it filters out at least 40 gallons of water through it so it makes a perfect choice for my family of 5.

[amazon box= “B083KY2FZB” title= “ZeroWater 5 Stage Dispenser”]This state-of-the-art 5-stage water filter leaves no contaminant behind. It features a process to reduce levels of fluoride, chromium, and lead. It is not your ordinary filter but provides safe and sound clean water that is eco-friendly, NSF-certified, and BPA-free. [/amazon]