Sometimes there appears to be black dust in the filtered water when I install a new Filter. What is this?

Although the cartridges are packed wet they can occasionally dry out during storage and transportation. Abrasion may occur and a fine carbon dust can form which is washed out during the first two fills. This water is safe but unatractive, therefore we recommend that the water from the first two fills be discarded or used to water flowers and plants etc.

Is BRITA filtered water suitable for steam irons?

BRITA water is preferable to tap water for use in steam irons. However most steam irons (with an aluminium base) recommend de-mineralised water for optimum performance. Filtered water is ideal for irons with a chrome plated steel base. Customers in doubt about the type of iron they have should consult their instruction manual or contact the appliance manufacturer.

How often should I replace the Filter?

The capacity of the BRITA "Classic" Filter is up to 150 litres* (*depending on local water conditions). This represents about 75 jugs. If you use only one jug per day, change every two months, and it you use two jugs per day then change every month.

I have been away for a few weeks ... can I still use my existing BRITA Filter?

Yes, assuming it has been in contact with the BRITA Water and is not entirely used up ... just proceed as you would when installing a new Filter.

Remove the Filter from the System and soak it in water for about 15 minutes ... pour out the old water, wash all the parts (but not the Filter itself) with any regular liquid detergent, re-assemble and fill the funnel. Discard the first jug of filtered water, then you can refill and use for the remaining capacity of your Filter.

What should I do with my Filter if I go on holiday?

If the cartridge is not exhausted you can store it in a plastic bag in the fridge to keep it in the best condition.

How does bottled water compare to BRITA filtered water?

Some brands of bottled waters are more expensive litre for litre than petrol and in quality terms are subject to less rigorous testing than tap water. BRITA filtered water is an excellent alternative to bottled waters and it generally costs up to one-tenth of the cost of bottled water while sacrificing nothing in taste and quality.

My child broke the Filter Cartridge with a hammer and ate some of the contents ... is this dangerous?

All materials used in a Brita Cartridge are non-toxic, top foodgrade quality and are in no way dangerous. We do specify "KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN" as a common sense approach ... after all, who wants to eat carbon and beads?

I have heard that BRITA filtered water improves the health of potted plants and extends the life of cut flowers: Is this true?

Yes, plants and flowers need water to survive but the temporary hardness in the water can interfere by causing blockage of the plant cells responsible for providing the plant with an adequate supply of water.. A BRITA filter reduces temporary hardness with the result that potted plants are healthier and cut flowers live longer.

If the Brita Water remains in contact with the Filter Cartridge for long periods, can't the retained contaminants in the Brita Filter Cartridge remix with the Water?

No ... this cannot happen ... the key step in preventing such an occurrence is a process called INNER EXCHANGE. First the contaminants adsorb (stick to the surface of the materials) and then, over the next few hours, these contaminants permanently absorb through INNER EXCHANGE into the interior of the beads thus preventing any release from the surface back into the water.

How does Brita keep the Cartridge safe from bacteria?

Silver has long been known for its bactericidal properties and the activated carbon used in the Brita Cartridge has a special silver treatment (called "bacteriostatic") so that the growth of bacteria in the Filter Cartridge is safely inhibited during the entire period of use, and, as long as the water in the jug stays in contact with the Cartridge, it remains hygienically safe! However, after 48 hours of non-use, it's just good common sense to replace "flat" water.

Does BRITA reduce / remove aluminium?

Aluminium is the third most common element in nature and may appear in tap water on many compound forms which vary in different regions. The main aluminium compound found in tap water is Aluminium Sulfate (ALUM), which can be added at the Water Treatment Facility during the chlorination process. Alum is a positively charged ion, so it has the potential for reduction by BRITA. The city of Toronto did a completely independent evaluation of the BRITA System (not commissioned by us) for aluminium reduction and showed reduction rates of up to 67%.

Why is chlorine added to tap water?

Treatment Plants add chlorine at P.O.E. (Point of Entry) to remove germs and ensure they don't re-appear while the water travels many miles through the pipes to your tap (P.O.U. ...Point of Use). While the amount of chlorine added is regulated and not considered dangerous, it does impair taste and odour plus there is a definite chance that it can combine with organic compounds to produce chlorinated hydrocarbons that may lead to health related problems. The activated carbon in the Filter will reduce the chlorine by up to 99%.

Does BRITA reduce / remove fluoride ?

The BRITA Water Filter System does not remove fluoride from tap water. Fluoride is a negatively charged ion and does not react with the components of the BRITA Filter Cartridge.

What is the maximum amount of water I can filter daily?

Up to 6 litres can be filtered daily by the BRITA Cartridge without any reduction in efficiency ... the Ion Exchange Beads will then have sufficient time to properly handle the adsorption / absorption cycle and still provide optimum results. More than 6 litres daily may slightly decrease the Cartridge's ability to remove impurities.

What is the reason for the film on "tap water tea" and what causes the unsightly rings and stains inside the cup?

These are the result of carbonate hardness in water which turns into chalk when water is boiled. This chalk absorbs tea extracts that change the colour, cause the unsightly appearance and produce a bitter taste. All this disappears when the Brita Cartridge decarbonises the water ... the tea is clear, the flavour develops fully and the rings and stains inside the cup do not appear.

What is special about the BRITA Carbon?

It's activated carbon which is made by soaking organic material (usually coconut shells) in special solutions and super heating it without oxygen to produce a greater surface with lots of pores ... example: 1oz. of granular activated carbon equals 186,500 square feet of surface ( approximately 4 acres) ... this is why it is the ideal filtering substance best suited to take up the maximum of organic molecules. Activated carbon is used extensively in the food and medical applications. BRITA uses only the best, highest quality, food grade carbon made from coconut shells and gives it a special treatment to inhibit bacteria growth in the cartridge.

Picture water resistant beads that act like magnets. Like any magnet, they are made up of particles that attract other particles according to their magnetic charge. In the case of BRITA's Ion Exchange Beads, the magnetic particles are called ions and the negatively charged ions in the beads are surrounded by positively charged ions of hydrogen. The negative ions attract positive ions from the water, like a magnet. The ions being pulled are those you don't want like lead, copper, calcium, and magnesium which are exchanged for hydrogen, a natural component of water.

I have noticed some black particles in the funnel, what are these?

The black particles are tiny granules of food grade carbon that are used in the cartridge. Our carbon comes from natural sources, usually coconut shell, and can sometimes vary in shape and size. Some pieces can occasionally be unusually small and may escape into the funnel through the cartridge cap. These particles are food grade and the small amount that escape in no way affect the performance of the cartridge.

An effective means of minimising this is to re-soak the cartridge as you would with a new cartridge.