Filters
One way you can deal with the unexpected problem of lead ions in water is to use a filter. This consumer report will present to you the advantages and disadvantages of three easily obtained and commonly used filters and recommend to you the one we feel is best suited for the job of filtering out lead ions.
On April 23rd, 2013, a laboratory experiment was conducted at a Global Communications Incorporations Lab to test and compare the effectiveness of three common filtration methods: the coffee filter, the Brita filter, and the homemade pop bottle/water bottle filter at removing lead ions. In this experiment, a controlled sample of water with a controlled concentration of lead ions was filtered using the three types of filters. And through chemical lab procedures, the amount of ions left in each water sample and the amount of water lost from each sample were determined. Here are our findings:
Data Concerning the Filters’ Abilities to Filter out Ions
The raw data above requires a little chemistry knowledge to understand. The way we tested to see how many ions were left in the water after the three filtration processes was to add a precipitating solution and calculate the mass/volume percentage concentrations of the precipitates. Thus, the lower the concentration in the graph above, the better job the filter did at removing ions. Below is a simpler graph that was created using the data on the chart above for those without much chemistry knowledge.
*The above data was calculated by multiplying the percent composition of Pb2+ in Pb(OH)2, the precipitate, by the individual masses of the precipitates, dividing the newly calculated mass by the mass of the lead ions in the controlled precipitate, multiplying this new number by 100%, and finally subtracting the number from 100% because it is the ions that were filtered out we're trying to graph, not the ions left.
Data Concerning the Amount of Water Wasted during Each Filter’s Filtration Process:
Data Concerning the Amount of Water Wasted during Each Filter’s Filtration Process:
What can we infer from this data?
Coffee Filters
Our laboratory results show us that coffee filters waste almost no water at all, which is definitely a plus for any filter, but unfortunately, it filters out less than 10% of lead ions, which is relatively not very effective and expected as well, as they are made to filter out particles much larger than ions.10 |
Brita Filters
Brita filters also preserve almost 98% of the water going through them, and even filters out over 55% of lead ions in water. Compared to the other two filters, the Brita definitely has the greatest ability to filter out lead ions. This is very interesting because according to Brita®'s website, the carbon and ion exchange resin in pitcher filters are not made especially for filtering out lead ions.19 Nevertheless, our experimental data prove that they certainly are competent lead ion filters as well. |
Pop Bottle Filter
Surprisingly, this primitive homemade filter can filter out even more lead ions than the coffee filters. But this homemade filter is nowhere near an adequate filter for practical home use, as almost 50% of the water going through the filter may be lost. |
Only looking at these data (that is, if we only take water loss and ion removal into account), then the Brita filter is clearly superior. It ties the coffee filter in wasting only 2.5% of the water and it is by far the best in filtering out lead ions. However, when choosing a filter, many other factors (e.g. environmental impact, cost, practicality or convenience, etc.) should be taken into account. Keep on reading for further analyses of these three products!
Coffee Filters
Disposable Coffee Filter
These little filters are really simply designed filters – almost like common filter paper. They are easily accessible (found at any major retailer like Metro or Walmart), inexpensive (around 100 of them can be bought for $3.00 at Walmart)12, and they are not difficult to use either but requires something to sit on (like a funnel). However, to use this to filter your water every single day is definitely not practical because they simply aren’t made for filtering out lead ions but larger dirt particles.10 (In fact, they’re not even as good as the homemade filter.) And they are definitely not as durable as the Brita filter or the pop bottle filter as well (at least the disposable ones aren't - this investigation focused on the disposable type of coffee filters, not the reusable type).
From an environmental perspective, coffee filters wouldn't be rated high either. If you had to use them continuously to filter out water, you would be creating lots of waste – especially since we're talking about the disposable type. This is one more reason why (disposable) coffee filters should not be relied on for filtering out lead ions on a daily basis. For the purpose of lead filtration on a daily basis, we deem them worthless.
From an environmental perspective, coffee filters wouldn't be rated high either. If you had to use them continuously to filter out water, you would be creating lots of waste – especially since we're talking about the disposable type. This is one more reason why (disposable) coffee filters should not be relied on for filtering out lead ions on a daily basis. For the purpose of lead filtration on a daily basis, we deem them worthless.
Pop Bottle Filters
Pop Bottle Filter
This homemade filter worked much better than expected. It filtered out 13% more lead ions than the coffee filter for a total of around 19% of the lead ions. However, using this filter daily is not really worth it because almost ½ the water going through filtration was wasted (absorbed) and the filtration process is extremely slow. Besides, the rocks and sand in the filter, although reasonably effective at removing lead ions, may release other undesirable ions into the water (because of the rocks and sand that may erode).11 Even if it is very environmentally friendly (one pop bottle filter can last for a long time), is super easy to use (all you have to do is pour water through) and costs very little (all you need is a cloth, a water bottle, some sand, and rocks), like the coffee filter, it is ultimately not the product you’re looking for if you want to filter out lead ions. These kinds of filters are only great for emergencies when you’re camping or a similar situation as, again, they are very primitive and are probably more effective at filtering out larger particles such as dirt like the coffee filter. Pop bottle filters are worth it during emergencies, but unfortunately, worthless for a long-term system of lead filtration.
Click here for instructions on making a pop bottle filter.
Click here for instructions on making a pop bottle filter.
Brita Filters
Brita Filter (Pitcher)
Brita filters dominate in removing lead ions (removing 55%) and minimizing water loss (2.5%); it is also as easy to use as a pop bottle filter (all you need to do is pour the water through), eco-friendly (one pitcher will last for a very long time14), and are not too expensive, probably not costing more than coffee filters in the long run. Brita pitchers (note that our experiment dealt with pitchers and not the faucets, dispensers, or bottles) are typically ~$30 (ranging from $11.99 to $47.99 depending on the size).8 The only disadvantages we’ve discovered are that: the filter must be replaced every 2 months14, the filtering process can be quite slow, and mould can form and collect over time, possibly causing clogs.15
Here is a quick numerical summary of the merits of each water filtration method:
Surprisingly, the coffee filter and the pop bottle filter almost tied for the same merit score. But obviously, not all of their individual scores were the same, meaning that they both had their own advantages and disadvantages. The coffee filter, for example, conserves more water and is a faster filter while the pop bottle has a greater ability to remove lead ions and is more environmentally friendly. (It is important to note, however, that all three filter systems can be considered environmentally friendly because they reduce the need of buying bottled water, but we consider the pop bottle filter and even the Brita filter more ecofriendly than the coffee filter because they are reusable.) The Brita filter, apart from the aforementioned benefits, acquired so many extra points because it has much more features: not only to filter out lead ions, but to make water better tasting/smelling (through the removal of other ions such as chlorine), and even better “looking”18. By now, it should be quite clear that out of these three filters, we strongly recommend households to use the Brita. It will barely take up any space in your kitchen, it is not an expensive equipment, and it has a great ability to filter out lead ions. It is easy to use, you can carry it anywhere and each pitcher is guaranteed by Brita® to last a long time.14 As long as you make sure you change the filter every 40 gallons or every two months, the only real disadvantage of this filter is that it’s slow and possibly small compared to other filters (but it is the largest out of these three). Nevertheless, it makes up for these slight disadvantages with countless other merits. Out of these three investigated filters, Brita will definitely do the best job in the long run. This consumer report deems Brita filters to be worth it.
To Buy a Brita filter now, click here to order online or locate a Brita store near you!
To Buy a Brita filter now, click here to order online or locate a Brita store near you!
However, to ensure safe drinking water, we highly recommend you to take the lead test first (link available on Lead: An Unexpected Problem) instead of solely relying a Brita Pitcher, because if after removing 55% of the lead ions in your water, the concentration is still more than 10 ppb, then the Brita filter alone will not be sufficient (you may ask the health station doing the lead test to do the calculation for you). If the Brita pitcher certainly isn't enough, then visit our bonus section (click the black button directly below) to find out how to register for a lead pipe replacement (the Lead Water Service Replacement Program).