What do you think of Brita System
- Thread starter Swimfins
- Start date
The thing about those carbon filtration systems is that while they remove the icky-tasting chlorine, they also remove the bacteria-inhibiting chlorine. Now, bacteria aren't bad, per se, but they can grow like gangbusters in water.
My thesis research was counting bacteria in freshwater systems using epifluorescent microscopy. The engineering department used a carbon filtration system to remove "all" impurities from their DI water. I would use this water to dilute my samples. However, I first had to filter the stuff 3-4 times through a 0.2 um filter to remove the GIANT bacteria that grew on the carbon filters. I would take my filtered water and put it in the fridge for later use. Often within a few hours I'd have to filter it again.
So my point is, to make a long story longer.... I don't use my Brita filter anymore. Not only does the carbon make a great breeding ground for bacteria (think bioballs), but the water you put in the fridge now has no chlorine to inhibit bacterial growth.
This could simply be my paranoid opinion, because I looked at the stuff under a microscope.
Tony T.
My thesis research was counting bacteria in freshwater systems using epifluorescent microscopy. The engineering department used a carbon filtration system to remove "all" impurities from their DI water. I would use this water to dilute my samples. However, I first had to filter the stuff 3-4 times through a 0.2 um filter to remove the GIANT bacteria that grew on the carbon filters. I would take my filtered water and put it in the fridge for later use. Often within a few hours I'd have to filter it again.
So my point is, to make a long story longer.... I don't use my Brita filter anymore. Not only does the carbon make a great breeding ground for bacteria (think bioballs), but the water you put in the fridge now has no chlorine to inhibit bacterial growth.
This could simply be my paranoid opinion, because I looked at the stuff under a microscope.
Tony T.
I wouldn't give my Brita up for anything. Tyella may have some very valid points but I don't want to live in a bubble. My theory is, the key to keeping a healthy immunity level is to be exposed to germs, bacteria, etc... in small quantities. However I am no scientist. Back to the Brita, It seems to work very well for removing the taste of unwanted minerals in my water.
We use a Pur system hooked straight up to our faucet. That freed up the space on our counter and in our fridge where we used to keep the Brita pitcher. And I agree with Boohoo--not sure if there are health benefits, but there are definitely aesthetic ones. And anything that makes me more likely to drink water is a good thing.
The Brita works great if you go through a lot of water but if you let it sit in the pitcher for days...not so good. It probably has a lot to do with the bacteria as tyrella mentioned.
Of course, if you go through a lot of water you may be better served by a water cooler from your local spring water company.
T
Of course, if you go through a lot of water you may be better served by a water cooler from your local spring water company.
T
Have you ever cultured the food or milk that shares your fridge with the Brita? I guarantee you it contains a lot more microorganisms than the Brita filter or the water in the pitcher do.
Aside from the fact that there isn't much in the way of nutrients in tap water to feed pathogens, the fridge usually does a decent job of slowing the growth of nasties. As long as Britas have been in use, I would expect a lot more evidence of their danger, if in fact they are...
Jim
Aside from the fact that there isn't much in the way of nutrients in tap water to feed pathogens, the fridge usually does a decent job of slowing the growth of nasties. As long as Britas have been in use, I would expect a lot more evidence of their danger, if in fact they are...
Jim
When I lived in an apartment that had terrible tasting water I used a brita. But I drink litres of water daily, ditto my roomate, so the jug was pretty much refilled every day.
I agree with tyella about the bacteria, we knew all about it back then. Frankly, I'm skeptical about any water purification claiming to improve the quality of our water, since we have very high quality tap water, research has shown that, quality-wise, there's no difference between tap and bottled water. However, there are regions where the water from the taps tastes aweful. It's safe to drink, but you wouldn't want to. Under these circumstances I think that filters are great.
If one were to use a water filter because of this, I'd go with the type that attaches to the nozzle. You only filter your drinking water and your drinking water doesn't sit in the fridge for days if you don't drink it.
Didn't they have flow cytometry tyella?
edit: all this talk about bacteria really is moot. As tyella sais, they're not bad, per se. But it is good to remember that chlorine is in the water for a reason.
I agree with tyella about the bacteria, we knew all about it back then. Frankly, I'm skeptical about any water purification claiming to improve the quality of our water, since we have very high quality tap water, research has shown that, quality-wise, there's no difference between tap and bottled water. However, there are regions where the water from the taps tastes aweful. It's safe to drink, but you wouldn't want to. Under these circumstances I think that filters are great.
If one were to use a water filter because of this, I'd go with the type that attaches to the nozzle. You only filter your drinking water and your drinking water doesn't sit in the fridge for days if you don't drink it.
Didn't they have flow cytometry tyella?
edit: all this talk about bacteria really is moot. As tyella sais, they're not bad, per se. But it is good to remember that chlorine is in the water for a reason.
I think I'm going to just pick up ome Labrador and use my hand pump that I had when I was on a well system a few years ago. The tap water smells a little funky in summertime and it puts me off drinking it. I don't drink enough of the brita water so, yes it sits for days and then I forget when I last changed the carbon. So this puts me off even more......
Thanks for the input. Tyella: Bioballs? Pffffffftttttttttt choke.
Thanks for the input. Tyella: Bioballs? Pffffffftttttttttt choke.
I also use the Pur filter that goes on the faucet. Coming from farther north at my home where our drinking water is more or less an unfiltered, unaltered natural underground spring to here where we're on disgusting city water, I can't drink the water without it.
I say any thing you can do with your water from the tap right befor you drink it that makes it palatable is better for you just because you are more likely to drink more of it.
Is this brita thing to slow to filter as needed? or is it just that you want colder water to drink. I don't like refrigerated water just because of the temperature thing, takes energy to warm that up and I don't have endless stores of that.
Is this brita thing to slow to filter as needed? or is it just that you want colder water to drink. I don't like refrigerated water just because of the temperature thing, takes energy to warm that up and I don't have endless stores of that.