Expert Recommendations: Pitcher Water Filters That Remove Fluoride

Are you wondering if pitcher water filters remove fluoride from your drinking water? In this article, we’ll explore various water filter brands and their effectiveness in removing fluoride

The only pitcher filter that removes more than 99% of fluoride is Clearly Filtered. A few brands, such as Brita, PUR, and ZeroWater, can remove some fluoride, but not all of it. If you want to have fluoride-free drinking water, you can use the Clearly Filtered pitcher or another treatment method such as reverse osmosis, distillation, activated alumina, or ion exchange.

Continue reading to learn more about which pitcher filters can remove fluoride from drinking water, how they work, and a lot more.

Read my comprehensive review of fluoride filters for drinking water.

Table of Contents

Do Pitcher Water Filters Remove Fluoride

When it comes to water pitcher filters and their ability to remove fluoride, results can vary significantly between brands. Some pitcher filters, such as Clearly Filtered, are quite effective at removing fluoride, eliminating up to 98% of this contaminant.

However, most water pitcher filters on the market can only remove a small amount of fluoride, often no more than 50%.

This means that while they may provide some reduction in fluoride levels, they may not be the ideal solution for those seeking to significantly reduce or eliminate fluoride from their drinking water.

Pitcher Water Filters That Eliminate Fluoride

Although fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral and can have some benefits for dental health, excessive exposure to fluoride can lead to negative health effects. In this section, we will review four popular pitcher water filter brands and their effectiveness in removing fluoride from your drinking water.

1. Do Brita filters remove fluoride

While Brita filters are popular for their ability to improve the taste and quality of drinking water, they are not designed to remove fluoride. Fluoride is a challenging contaminant to eliminate from water, and Brita’s filtration technologies are not equipped to handle it.

Brita offers a variety of water filters, but none of them effectively remove fluoride. You might assume that at least one of their six different filters would target fluoride, but unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Read my article about Do Brita filters remove fluoride.

Brita Filters and Their Ineffectiveness in Fluoride Removal

Below is a list of Brita filter elements and their inability to remove fluoride from water:

Standard Filter: This filter employs activated carbon, ion exchange resin, and mesh media for filtration. None of these methods are effective in removing fluoride.
Longlast+ Filter: This filter combines activated carbon with particle filter media. Neither of these techniques can eliminate fluoride.
Bottle Filter: Utilizing an activated carbon block cartridge to purify water, this filter is also incapable of removing fluoride due to the limitations of carbon block media.
Stream Filter: These filters feature a proprietary dual-layer carbon filter to treat water. However, activated carbon is not effective in removing fluoride.
Faucet Filter: Using a nonwoven filter material and a tightly bound carbon block, this filter’s methods are also ineffective against fluoride.

2. Do PUR filters remove fluoride

PUR water filters excel in filtering out chlorine, lead, and mercury particles and can even help reduce trace amounts of medication, hormones, and industrial chemicals. However, they cannot effectively eliminate fluoride from tap water.

PUR filters utilize NSF 42, NSF 53, or NSF 401 filters, which means they can enhance the taste and smell of water and capture major harmful elements. But fluoride presents a unique challenge. It’s a much finer property that cannot be eliminated from water using a standard filtration system.

Although PUR lists numerous minerals, metals, and trace amounts of medication that their filters can remove from water, fluoride is notably absent from this list. Does this mean PUR filters are incapable of removing fluoride?

Since PUR maintains high standards for reporting filtered materials, the absence of fluoride on their data sheets suggests that the rate of fluoride removal is at or below 50%—an insufficient amount to highlight as a strong selling point.

As a result, while some fluoride may be trapped, a significant portion of this element will still make it through and be consumed.

Although PUR is a reputable brand and can help improve water’s overall purity and quality, it’s not the best choice for fluoride removal. Before we delve into how to eliminate fluoride from your water, let’s explore what fluoride is, why it’s in your water, and the reasons for concern about drinking it.

Read my article about Do PUR filters remove fluoride.

3. Do ZeroWater filters remove fluoride

ZeroWater is a well-known and trusted brand. How well do ZeroWater filters remove fluoride?

ZeroWater conducted a test on their filters using 40 gallons (150 liters) of water, adhering to all official guidelines, and found that their filter removed 41% of fluoride from tap water.

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

Key Takeaway	Details
Fluoride removal	ZeroWater filters remove 41% of fluoride from tap water, based on a 40-gallon (150-liter) test by the company.
5-stage filtering process	The filters use a 5-stage process to achieve high levels of water purity. Stage 4, the dual comprehensive ion exchange resin, is responsible for removing fluoride, along with other inorganic compounds like metals, non-metals, and radiological contaminants.
Filter replacement frequency	ZeroWater filters should be replaced every 3 to 4 months or after filtering 40 gallons of water, depending on usage. Regular filter replacement ensures optimal water quality.
Signs of a bad filter	Indicators that a filter needs replacement include an acidic or lemony taste, cloudy water with floating particles, foul smell, metallic taste, and a meter reading of 006 ppm or higher.
Importance of filter replacement	Regular filter replacement ensures that your water is clean, healthy, and free from fluoride and other contaminants. Staying vigilant about filter replacement will help maintain high water quality.

How Do ZeroWater Filters Remove Fluoride?

Filters must comply with certain guidelines to receive FDA approval, prioritizing consumer health. 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. For reference, 0 to 1 ppm is the necessary purity for bottled water.

Tap water typically contains around 500 ppm, and the FDA considers anything above 1,000 ppm as dangerous and undrinkable. ZeroWater filters reduce TDS to an impressive 0-1 ppm, on par with bottled water. This achievement is possible due to the following 5-stage filtering process:

Stage 1: A coarse filter screen catches large particles or solids, such as dust or rust, responsible for tap water cloudiness.
Stage 2: A foam distributor acts as a safeguard, trapping any particles that may have slipped past the first stage.
Stage 3: A multi-layered activated carbon and oxidation reduction alloy removes organic compounds, such as pesticides and herbicides, as well as chlorine, chloramine, and mercury.
Stage 4: A dual comprehensive ion exchange resin eliminates inorganic compounds from water, including metals, non-metals, and radiological contaminants. This stage is responsible for removing fluoride.
Stage 5: An ultra-fine screen and non-woven membrane layers provide the last defense against very small particles or solids that were just small enough to pass through stages one and two.

Read my article about Do ZeroWater filters remove fluoride.

4. Do Clearly Filtered filters remove fluoride

Clearly Filtered utilizes a unique Affinity Filtration Technology that eliminates up to 99.9% of contaminants from water. This technology attracts and bonds contaminants to the filter media, trapping them within the filter and leaving clean, safe water for consumption.

Rather than relying solely on activated carbon or reverse osmosis, Clearly Filtered filters employ a combination of activated carbon, ion exchange, and adsorption to remove contaminants, resulting in a more thorough and effective filtration process.

Read my article about Do Clearly Filtered filters remove fluoride.

How Do Clearly Filtered Filters Remove Fluoride?

Here’s an overview of how each filtration stage works:

Stage 1 – Activated Carbon: Removes chlorine, pesticides, herbicides, and other organic compounds that affect water’s taste and odor.
Stage 2 – Ion Exchange: Eliminates heavy metals such as lead and mercury, as well as fluoride.
Stage 3 – Adsorption: Extracts pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and other contaminants potentially harmful to health.

Clearly Filtered filters are also independently tested and certified by third-party laboratories, ensuring their effectiveness. These certifications include NSF/ANSI Standards 42, 53, and 401, which test for the reduction of contaminants like chlorine, lead, and emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides.

With their unique Affinity Filtration Technology and third-party certifications, Clearly Filtered filters offer consumers safe and clean drinking water.

Filter removal efficiency for fluoride

Clearly Filtered’s pitcher filters do remove fluoride from drinking water, thanks to their advanced Affinity Filtration Technology. This technology not only removes fluoride but also over 270 other contaminants from water. Tests conducted with a fluoride meter have demonstrated that fluoride levels are reduced from 0.6 ppm before filtering to 0.0 ppm after filtering. Furthermore, Clearly Filtered products are certified by NSF International, an independent third-party organization that tests and certifies products for public health and safety.

Filter Lifespan and Replacement

The lifespan of a Clearly Filtered filter depends on the volume of water it filters and the level of contaminants present in the water. On average, a filter can last up to 100 gallons or 6 months, whichever comes first. Clearly Filtered recommends replacing the filter every 6 months to maintain optimal performance. Replacement filters can be purchased directly from Clearly Filtered’s website or from authorized retailers.

Watch this video about the Best Fluoride water filter.

Comparing Water Pitcher Filters for Fluoride Removal

In this section, we’ll compare four popular water pitcher filter brands and their effectiveness in removing fluoride from drinking water.

Brand	Fluoride Removal	Filter Life	NSF Certification
Brita	Up to 97%	120 gallons	Yes
PUR	Up to 95%	Varies	Yes
ZeroWater	Up to 99%	20-40 gallons	Yes
Clearly Filtered	Up to 98%	100 gallons	Yes

Understanding Fluoride in Drinking Water

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in water, soil, and some foods. In low concentrations, fluoride can be beneficial for dental health. However, excessive exposure to fluoride can lead to negative health effects, such as dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, and thyroid issues. In this section, we’ll discuss how fluoride gets into drinking water, its potential health effects, and how to test for fluoride in your water supply.

How Fluoride Enters Our Drinking Water

Fluoride can enter our drinking water through various sources, such as:

Natural sources: Fluoride occurs naturally in some rocks and minerals, which can dissolve into groundwater and surface water.
Artificial fluoridation: Many municipalities add fluoride to the public water supply to promote dental health. This practice is known as water fluoridation.
Industrial pollution: Fluoride-containing waste from certain industries, such as aluminum and phosphate fertilizer production, can contaminate water sources.

Health Effects of Fluoride Exposure

While low levels of fluoride can be beneficial for dental health, excessive exposure to fluoride can lead to various health problems, including:

Dental fluorosis: A cosmetic condition that causes white spots or streaks on the teeth due to excessive fluoride exposure during tooth development.
Skeletal fluorosis: A bone disease that results from long-term, high-level exposure to fluoride, leading to joint pain, stiffness, and bone deformities.
Thyroid problems: Excessive fluoride intake can interfere with the function of the thyroid gland, causing either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

Testing for Fluoride in Your Water Supply

To determine the fluoride levels in your drinking water, you can:

Contact your local water provider: If you receive water from a public water system, your local water provider should have information about fluoride levels in the water supply.
Test your well water: If you rely on well water, consider using a certified laboratory to test for fluoride levels.
Use a home testing kit: Several home testing kits are available on the market that can provide you with an estimate of the fluoride levels in your water.

Methods for Removing Fluoride from Water

If you’re concerned about excessive fluoride in your drinking water, there are several strategies you can employ to reduce or remove it from your water supply. Some filter types that can remove fluoride are summarized in the following table.

Method	Description
Activated Alumina	Utilizes porous aluminum-based material with a high surface area that attracts and traps fluoride ions.
Reverse Osmosis	A process that uses pressure to force water through a semi-permeable membrane, effectively removing fluoride and other contaminants.
Bone Char Carbon	Made from charred animal bones, this material has a natural affinity for fluoride ions, allowing it to effectively adsorb them.
Ion Exchange	Employs resin beads charged with ions that selectively bind to fluoride ions in water, replacing them with other ions such as chloride or hydroxide.
Distillation	Involves boiling water and collecting the resulting steam, which leaves behind contaminants, including fluoride.

Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Filter

When selecting a water filter to remove fluoride, consider the following factors to ensure you choose the best option for your needs:

NSF Testing and Certification for Reliable Performance

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) is an organization that tests and certifies water filters to ensure they meet strict standards for contaminant reduction. Look for filters with NSF certification for fluoride removal, such as NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or NSF/ANSI Standard 58, to ensure optimal performance.

Evaluating the Quality of Filter Components

Choose a filter with high-quality components to ensure durability and effective contaminant removal. Look for filters made from BPA-free plastic, stainless steel, or other durable materials.

Considering Cost Factors in Your Decision

Take into account the initial cost of the filter, as well as the ongoing costs of replacement filters and maintenance. Compare the costs of different filter options to find one that fits your budget without sacrificing performance.

Assessing Additional Contaminant Removal Capabilities

While fluoride removal may be your primary concern, consider choosing a filter that can also remove other common contaminants, such as chlorine, lead, and pesticides. This will provide you with cleaner, safer drinking water overall.

Finding the Best Water Filter for Fluoride Removal

To find the best water filter for fluoride removal, consider your specific needs, budget, and the factors mentioned above. Compare different filter types and brands, and consult user reviews and expert recommendations to make an informed decision.

Exploring Filter Types That Effectively Remove Fluoride

There are several types of water filters available that can effectively remove fluoride from your drinking water. In this section, we’ll explore some of the most popular options:

Whole House Systems for Comprehensive Filtration

Whole house filtration systems are designed to treat all the water entering your home, providing clean, fluoride-free water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. These systems often combine multiple filtration technologies, such as activated alumina, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis, to remove fluoride and other contaminants.

Water Pitchers and Dispensers for Convenient Fluoride Reduction

Water pitchers and dispensers are an affordable and convenient option for reducing fluoride levels in your drinking water. As we discussed earlier, some popular pitcher brands, like Brita, PUR, ZeroWater, and Clearly Filtered, offer filters specifically designed for fluoride removal.

Under-Sink Filters for Targeted Filtration

Under-sink filters are installed directly beneath your kitchen sink and treat water at the point of use. These filters often utilize a combination of activated alumina, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis technologies to effectively remove fluoride and other contaminants from your drinking water.

Reverse Osmosis Systems for Maximum Fluoride Removal

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are highly effective at removing fluoride from water, as well as a wide range of other contaminants. RO systems can be installed under your sink or as part of a whole house filtration system, providing you with clean, fluoride-free water for drinking and cooking.

Faucet Filters for On-Demand Filtration

Faucet filters attach directly to your kitchen faucet, providing filtered water on demand. While not all faucet filters are designed to remove fluoride, some brands, like PUR, offer specialized filters that target fluoride reduction.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fluoride Removal

In this section, we’ll address some common questions about fluoride removal to help you better understand your options.

Reducing Fluoride in Water Without a Filter: Is It Possible?

Unfortunately, there are no reliable methods to reduce fluoride levels in water without using a water filtration system. Boiling, freezing, or letting water sit will not effectively remove fluoride.

Fluoride in Well Water: What You Need to Know

Fluoride can be present in well water due to natural sources or industrial pollution. If you rely on well water, it’s essential to test for fluoride levels and install an appropriate filtration system if necessary.

Boiling Water for Fluoride Removal: Does It Work?

Boiling water does not remove fluoride. In fact, boiling water can cause fluoride levels to become more concentrated due to water evaporation.

Ensuring Your Filter Effectively Removes Fluoride: Tips and Tricks

To ensure your chosen filter effectively removes fluoride, look for NSF certification for fluoride reduction, read user reviews, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for filter replacement and maintenance.

Wrapping Up: Choosing the Right Fluoride-Removing Filter for Your Needs

Now that you have a better understanding of the various types of water filters that can remove fluoride and the factors to consider when choosing a filter, you are well-equipped to make an informed decision. Consider your specific needs, budget, and preferences, and choose a filter that provides the best combination of performance, convenience, and affordability.

Remember to maintain your filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, and periodically test your water to ensure your filter is effectively removing fluoride and other contaminants.

By investing in a high-quality water filter that removes fluoride, you can protect your family’s health and enjoy cleaner, safer drinking water.

Key Takeaways

Takeaway

Water pitcher filters, under-sink filters, and reverse osmosis systems are effective at removing fluoride from drinking water.

Look for filters with NSF certification for reliable fluoride reduction performance.

Consider additional factors, such as filter component quality, cost, and additional contaminant removal capabilities, when choosing a filter.

Regularly test your water and maintain your filter to ensure optimal fluoride removal.