Taste
Why filtered water still tastes like chlorine
The usual reason is chloramine. Many water systems use it instead of chlorine, and filters built for chlorine reduce it poorly.
Check three things
- Your disinfectant. Look at your utility’s annual report, or start here for the Bay Area.
- Your filter’s claim. Look up the exact model in NSF’s listings for a chloramine claim.
- The filter’s age. An old cartridge stops working on either one.
What fixes it
Catalytic carbon, under the sink or for the whole house, or reverse osmosis at the kitchen tap. What each one costs.
Sources: Brita performance data, EPA.
These are published ranges and general guidance, not quotes. In the Bay Area, Soft Patagonian offers free water tests.
Quick answers
Does a Brita filter remove chloramine?
Brita's published data sheets show chlorine reduction under NSF/ANSI 42, but the ones we checked do not list a chloramine claim. A chlorine claim does not automatically cover chloramine.
How do I remove chloramine for a fish tank?
Use an aquarium water conditioner labeled for chloramine. The EPA notes chloramine does not fade quickly on standing and does not boil off.