If you’re worried about levels of fluoride in your drinking water, you may be considering a water filter. But do water filters remove fluoride?
There are a lot of different models out there, and they’ll give you different results. Researching them all can be very confusing – but we’re here to help! We’re going to take you through the different options and discuss their effectiveness.
Does Reverse osmosis system remove fluoride?
Reverse osmosis systems – also known as RO systems – do an excellent job of removing fluoride. In these filters, water passes through a semipermeable membrane which traps contaminants. It’s highly effective and will remove around 95 percent of fluoride from your water.
Most RO systems are under sink water filters. They need to be plumbed in, although this isn’t difficult to do. Use them with a separate tap so you filter only the water you need for drinking or preparing food.
Why not use it for all your water? Well, RO systems have one drawback, and that’s that they produce wastewater. And in most cases, that water will go straight down the drain – even though it’s fine for most uses.
That’s not good for the environment. And if you have a metered water supply, it won’t be good for your bills either!
If you’re renting or don’t want to plumb in a system, there are counter top water filters that use RO. These are smaller than under sink water filters, so you’ll need to change the cartridges more often. But they’re just as effective at removing fluoride.
This YouTube video from My Water Filter takes you through the features of both kinds of systems.
One thing to bear in mind with a reverse osmosis system is that it strips pretty much everything from the water. The result is water that is slightly acidic and lacks minerals.
It’s possible to remineralize and alkalize the water yourself. An easier solution, though, is to find an RO system that does it for you. There are plenty out there. Just check the specifications for those that include remineralizing and alkalizing media.
Does Gravity water filter remove fluoride?
There are some excellent gravity water filters that are also efficient at removing fluoride. These allow water to simply drain through a ceramic filter using – yes, you’ve guessed it – gravity!
They can be even more effective than RO systems when it comes to fluoride removal. Some models will reduce the fluoride content of your water by at least 97 percent.
They’re less expensive than RO systems too, although they’re not as effective at removing other contaminants.
And because they’re quite slow, they’re best for small households with lower levels of water use. If you can get by with between 5 and 9 liters of water per day, they could be a good choice.
Does Counter top water filter remove fluoride?
If you’re looking specifically for a fluoride water filter, there are also some great counter top water filters out there.
These can be quite bulky, though, particularly if they include other filter cartridges. (Some models include a separate carbon filter to remove different impurities.) You might need to be prepared to lose some room on your worktop.
They’re easy to install. Just remove the aerator from your faucet and screw in the connection in its place. There’s a lever to turn when you want to filter the water. That means you can use unfiltered water for general household jobs and prolong the life of your cartridges.
This kind of filter will reduce fluoride levels by between 90 and 95 percent. Check out this YouTube video to see how it works.
Just remember to flush the cartridge with water for about 10 minutes before you use it. That will wash away any fine debris and avoid it getting into your drinking water.
Does water filter pitcher remove fluoride?
When it comes to water filter pitchers, check out the design to see if it will remove fluoride. Many well-known brands of pitcher use only activated carbon to filter out impurities. That’s great for many contaminants – but it won’t touch fluoride.
Some pitchers do include filters for fluoride though – so check the specifications. They’re a good option for filtering small amounts of water at a time. And they have plenty of advantages over other styles of filter.
You can pop them in the fridge to chill. They won’t produce waste water like RO systems. And they won’t take up space like counter top water filters. They’re very cost-effective too.
Does Whole house water filter remove fluoride?
Like water filter pitchers, many whole house water filter systems rely on activated carbon for filtration. That means they’re ineffective when it comes to fluoride.
There are, though, whole house systems that use activated alumina media. These will remove fluoride, although not always to the same level as other filters. Check the specifications before you buy. We’ve seen models offering between 70 percent and 96 percent reduction in fluoride.
There is also the whole house reverse osmosis systems. These will, though, require an additional storage tank and pump.
Does distillation remove fluoride?
Although not strictly speaking a water filter, distillation is also an effective way to remove fluoride from water. You can distill water yourself without any special equipment – but the process is fiddly and slow. Investing in a water distiller will make your life much easier.
Look for options that don’t use plastic parts to avoid contamination of your water. Most will give you about two liters of water at a time – so they’re best suited to low-demand households. And remember that you’ll need to plug them in, so they will sit on your countertop.
Conclusion
That brings us to the end of our search to answer the question of whether water filters remove fluoride. The answer is a resounding yes! Or at least – many of them do.
There is a lot of variation, though, in how much fluoride different models will remove. Check the specifications before you buy. Any reputable manufacturer will set out the reductions you can expect.
And remember that while activated carbon filters are great for other impurities, they won’t work with fluoride. Any filter systems that use only this media won’t suit your purposes here.
We hope you’ve found this article helpful – please share it if you have. And we’d love to hear about your experience of using water filters to remove fluoride. Please add your comments and tell us what you’ve learned.
