Do Water Filter Jugs Work?

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Are you concerned about the quality of your tap water? You may have heard about water filter jugs, but do they really work? In this article, we’ll address whether water filter jugs are an effective solution to purify your drinking water.

We’ll look at what water filter jugs are, how they work, and the advantages and disadvantages associated with them. We’ll also discuss how effective they are in terms of removing certain contaminants from your drinking water.

Key Takeaway
  • Water filter jugs work by passing the water through a filter. The best filters remove chlorine, lead, and other contaminants from the water.
  • The advantages of water filter jugs include affordability, convenience, and portability.
  • Some downsides are the need to change the filter regularly and that most filters cannot remove all the contaminants in the water

Should You Own a Water Filter Jug?

If you’re looking for a way to ensure your drinking water is free from contaminants, a water filter pitcher or jug may be the perfect solution. Water filter jugs are less expensive, extremely convenient, and easy to use, making them ideal for ensuring their drinking water is safe. You can find here the details of the water filter that removes the most contaminants from your drinking water. 

Not only do they provide clean and fresh-tasting water, but they can also help reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills by eliminating the need for single-use plastic bottles. 

Using a water filter jug over other filtration systems has several advantages. For instance, these jugs are relatively inexpensive compared to other filtration systems available today.

In addition, when it comes to buying pitcher filters, there are many water filter pitcher brands in the market today. So, it is advisable to test water filter pitchers before purchasing one. 

brita pitcher and zero water compared

Do Water Filter Jugs Work?

Water filter jugs are an increasingly popular way to purify tap water, but how effective are they?

Water filter jugs pass the contaminated tap water through a filter media that removes impurities such as chlorine, lead, dirt particles, and other potentially harmful substances. 

Most water filter pitchers (Brita Filter or ZeroWater Filter) remove more specific elements such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from the tap water. The result is a clean, safe, tasty glass of filtered drinking water purified of all contaminants. 

The effectiveness of your jug’s filter performance depends on the type and quality of the filter used.

Water Filter Jug Advantages and Disadvantages

Water filter jugs or pitchers such as Zero Water and Brita Water Pitchers are a popular choices for households looking to improve their tap water quality. They are relatively easy to use, can be refilled with tap water, and provide an eco-friendly solution for reducing plastic waste. 

However, while water filter jugs offer many benefits, consumers should consider some disadvantages before purchasing one. Let’s have a look:

Water Filter Jug Advantages

Here are some advantages of water filter jug:

Cost-effective Solution to Water Filtration Problems

Water filter jugs pass the water through the filter, usually carbon-based filters or ion exchange resin, which removes impurities and contaminants from the water to improve its taste and smell. Compared to other filtration solutions, water filter jugs provide a cost-effective and easy way to purify your drinking water.

Using a jug-style filter is incredibly simple, requiring no plumbing installation or expert knowledge of filtration systems. The filters are also easy to replace and can be found in most major grocery stores or home improvement centers. Additionally, these filters require no electricity, making them the perfect solution for those living in rural areas without access to electric power sources.

Remarkable Filtration Performance

Water filter pitcher or jug offers a remarkable filtration performance that rivals expensive whole-house systems, but without the installation hassle. In addition to removing common contaminants found in tap water such as chlorine, lead, and mercury, a few water filter jugs can also reduce microplastics and even pathogens lurking in your water. 

The most advanced water filter jug models employ multi-stage filtration technology for enhanced efficacy. In this process, the tap water passes through several filters that simultaneously target multiple types of pollutants. 

The result is a product that removes up to 99% of all known contaminants from your drinking water. Other water filter jugs preserve beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium for improved taste and nutrition.

water filter jug and a brita water filter pitcher

Environment-friendly Alternative to Single-Use Bottled Water

If you are using the best water filter pitcher, it should also be environmentally friendly. That’s why water filter jugs are becoming an increasingly popular alternative to single-use bottled water due to their many environmental benefits. Consumers can enjoy fresh and clean drinking water without plastic bottles with a water filter jug. 

This reduces unnecessary waste created from the production of single-use plastic containers. The convenience and affordability of these devices make them an ideal choice for those who want to do their part in reducing plastic pollution while enjoying quality drinking water.

Most water filters such as Brita Filters or ZeroWater Filters use special filtering systems that remove impurities such as chlorine and lead, allowing users to enjoy safe and healthy drinking water without any bad taste and odor. This eliminates the need for expensive bottled water, which can be costly and damaging to the environment due to its reliance on packaging materials made from oil-based plastics.

Portability and Convenience

Water filter jugs offer a portable, lightweight solution that is easy to set up, use and maintain. You can even carry a water filter jug with you to any of your outdoor activities. So if you want to go camping, a water filter jug will provide clean drinking water for you and those with you. 

Generally, they come with an upper reservoir where you pour your source water. At the bottom of the reservoir is the filter that removes the impurities of the water. The filtered water then flows to the pitcher or tank.

Due to its compact design, most water filter jugs can only hold an average of 10 cups. This means you have to pour tap water into the reservoir more frequently. So plan and decide on the best water filter jug that will help meet your needs.

Many water filter jugs are now built with filter indicators so you dont have to figure out when to replace their filters. Generally, filters should be replaced every two months. However, you might have to change the filter a little sooner, depending on the tap water quality or water usage. 

brita pitcher and zero water filter

Water Filter Jug Disadvantages

However, filter jugs do have a few disadvantages:

Limited Capacity

One of the main downsides of these types of water filtration systems is that they have limited capacity. The jugs can only hold so much water, which means you need to refill them regularly to keep your drinking supply topped up. This can be inconvenient and time-consuming, especially in a large household. 

Works Well with Pre-filtered or Pre-treated Water

Water filter jugs only work well with pre-filtered or pre-treated water. This means that if the source of the water has not already been treated or filtered, then it will not be effectively filtered by the jug. 

Unfiltered water may contain sediment, dirt particles, and other contaminants which can clog up the jug’s filtration system. If this happens, it reduces the filter’s efficiency and could lead to contaminated drinking water. 

To ensure optimum performance from a jug filter system it is important to ensure that your source of raw tapwater is pre-treated or pre-filtered before using it in your filter jug. Additionally, even with pre-filtered or pre-treated water, some water filter jugs are not designed to remove pathogens like bacteria and viruses. 

While municipal water is usually treated, water from private wells is not. So, homeowners should consider testing their well water for contaminants and employ necessary pre-treatment methods. 

Frequent Filter Replacements 

Another disadvantage of using a water filter jug is that you must regularly replace carbon filters to perform properly. Typically, a filter must be changed every two months or after filtering about 150 liters (40 gallons). 

This means that users must track its use and ensure they have replacement filters available when necessary. If not done on time, this can lead to poor-tasting or smelling water and an increased risk of contamination. 

Furthermore, replacement filters may come at an added cost depending on the type of water filter jug used.

brita and zero water replacement filters

Frequently Asked Questions

Are water filter jugs better than bottled water?

Water filter pitchers or jugs are a great alternative to store-bought bottled water. They provide a more cost-effective and eco-friendly way to access clean drinking water eliminating the cost and the environmental impact of purchasing bottled water. 
Water bottles are made up of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) a type of plastic derived from crude oil. To meet the demands of the consumers, millions of barrels of crude oil have to be sourced.  
Furthermore, during the water bottling process, millions of tons of carbon dioxide, a type of greenhouse gas are released into the atmosphere every year. It does not only stops there. Since plastic bottles are non-biodegradable, they pile up in landfills, and some end up in seas and oceans— posing a threat to marine life.
You don’t have to worry about plastic waste and its negative environmental impact with a refillable water pitcher filter or jug.

Is the water filter jug worth it?

Yes, it is. The primary benefit of using a water filter jug is that it allows you to access safe drinking water without buying bottled water. Like standard water filtration systems, water filter jugs can also remove impurities like chlorine, lead, and other contaminants, meaning you can feel confident your family is drinking clean water. 
Additionally, some models of water filters come with a filter indicator that will let you know when it’s time to change the filter so that you’re always getting fresh-tasting water. 

Conclusion

Water filter jugs are an effective and affordable way to reduce the number of contaminants found in drinking water. They are easy to use and maintain, making them ideal for households that want to keep their drinking water safe. 

Additionally, water filter jugs remove bad tastes and odors, improving the aesthetics of your drinking water. While they may not completely eliminate all contaminants from the water, they do reduce the majority of pollutants that could be harmful to your health.

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