How Do Brita Water Filters Work?

Admitting Water

Brita makes two basic kinds of filters. One is for direct attachment to a faucet, and the other is for a pitcher or small tank. These are designed to admit only a small amount of water and never more than the filter can handle at a given time.

Activated Carbon

Brita filters all use activated carbon, or processed charcoal. Carbon works for filtration because it is an atom that easily bonds with a wide variety of other substances. Charcoal is porous and tends to have a heavily pitted surface, creating a vast actual surface area for a relatively small amount of the substance. Carbon cannot remove salts, minerals or microorganisms such as parasites and harmful bacteria from water. What it can do is remove organic compounds, chlorine and sediment.

Releasing Water

After the water has passed through the activated carbon, it is then released. In the case of a faucet filer, water pressure drives it out. With pitcher and tank filters, simple gravity does the job.

Resources

• Brita