Is a Gravity-Based Water Purifier Safe to Use?

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Among the various options for filtering water that are available on the market, gravity-based water filters feature one of the simplest and most intuitive designs.

This, combined with their low cost, has made them popular on the consumer market in recent years.

People use gravity-based filters on the go, as well as in their homes.

But, is a gravity-based water purifier safe to use?

Key Takeaways

  • Gravity water purifiers are safe to use, and an effective method to purify your drinking water.
  • They require some maintenance to keep them in a good operating condition – think cleaning.

Is a Gravity-Based Water Purifier Safe to Use?

So, are gravity water filters safe?

Generally speaking, yes, gravity-based water purifiers are safe. They can remove various types of water contaminants, and their design offers some inherent advantages over other methods of filtration. Most notably, water is filtered very slowly which gives the filter more time to do its job – think contact with filter media.

How safe a gravity-based water purifier is for you specifically depends on the kinds of contaminants you need to remove. While a gravity filter can get rid of many different water pollutants, it’s not very effective against others.

To ensure that the gravity water purifier you’re choosing is safe for your specific circumstances, you should have your water tested to find out what kinds of contaminants you’re dealing with. Then, you can narrow down your search to a model that uses an appropriate combination of filtering methods.

If you just want something that’s as thorough as possible and covers most bases, you can look into Berkey gravity water filters for example. They use filter candles with a core made from carbon, ion exchange, and other filter media. Microscopic pores allows them to remove a variety of contaminants, including:

  • Viruses
  • Pathogenic bacteria
  • Cysts
  • Chlorine and chloramine
  • Various metals including lead and chromium
  • Pharmaceutical contaminants
  • Pesticides
  • Arsenic
  • Rust

Besides, in order to keep your gravity water filter in good shape, you should clean its tanks on a regular basis. Every other week is a good starting point. Just take the thing apart and clean with dishwater. The filters themselves may need cleaning and re-priming every few weeks, depending on the quality of the feed water.

How Effective Are Gravity-Based Water Purifiers?

The effectiveness of gravity-based water purifiers depends mainly on the type of filtration used in the design. For example, carbon filters can remove many unpleasant and unhealthy chemicals, while also improving the taste and odor of the water. Ion exchange filters, on the other hand, work well against heavy metals and other ions. You can also use a ceramic filter to address many types of floating particles, including bacteria and cysts.

Removing Bacteria

If you’re specifically interested in removing bacteria from your water, you should look for a gravity filter with NSF Standard 244 testing/certification. Depending on the specific filter type used internally, these filters can sometimes remove bacteria with an effectiveness of over 99.999%.

You shouldn’t automatically assume that a gravity-based water purifier can remove bacteria, though. That’s why it’s important to look at the model’s specifications and know what you need in advance.

gravity bag water filter

What Is a Gravity Water Filter and How Does It Work?

A gravity water filter is a simple contraption. The basic design utilizes two chambers connected vertically. The top chamber is where you fill the filter with water, and the bottom chamber collects the filtered water. Between the two chambers, you’ll find one or more filters that purify water as it runs down through them. Since water naturally flows down due to gravity, there’s no need to use electricity or additional water pressure to keep the filter working.

Type 1: Countertop Gravity Water Filters

Countertop gravity water filters, as their name implies, are designed to be used indoors without being moved too much. While it’s not impossible to pack one up and take it with you on a camping trip, the bulky design of these filters makes them rather unsuitable for that. They can take up a lot more space than a portable variant, without providing any additional benefits.

Type 2: Gravity Filter Bladders/Bags

Gravity filter bags are perfect for outdoor activities. They are flexible and can be rolled up for easy transportation. To use a gravity filter bladder, you just need to find a high enough spot to hang it from. These filters tend to focus on removing microorganisms and other contaminants commonly found in outdoor water sources.

Gravity Water Filter Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Readily available drinking water wherever you are, including on a camping trip and without access to electricity. You don’t need to worry about the power going out or a pressure issue causing the system to fail.
  • Improved taste and smell of water. Because gravity-based water purifiers remove various contaminants that specifically affect the taste and smell of water, you should see an immediate improvement in those qualities.
  • Perfect for emergency situations. Even if you don’t use a gravity water filter regularly, it’s still a good idea to keep one available in case you need to go through an emergency situation like a prolonged power outage.
  • Cheap, easy to install and maintain. Gravity-based water purifiers are among the simplest water purification units on the market, making them perfect for users who don’t want to deal with a lot of hassle in their setup and maintenance. And they don’t break the bank either.
  • Good for the Environment. Using a gravity-fed water filter means that you don’t have to purchase bottled water which contributes to waste and other environmental issues.

Cons

  • Slow filtration means you’ll have to wait until water is available. This can be alleviated to some extent by purchasing a model with a larger storage tank or using more than one filter element in parallel. However, this comes with some drawbacks of its own. In particular, water that’s been sitting in a tank for too long may start to develop a stale taste.
  • Needs to be refilled manually. It’s not technically feasible to create a setup where your filter is refilled automatically, at least not without the use of complex auto-shutoff mechanisms, which defeats the whole purpose of having a simple design. This means that you’ll have to pay attention to keeping your filter full.

If you have any thoughts about the question, is a gravity-based water purifier safe, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below!

About the Author Alexandra Uta

Alex is a content writer with an affinity for research and a methodical attention to detail. Since 2020, she has fully immersed herself into the home water treatment industry only to become an expert herself. Alex has been using water filters and similar products for years which has gained her lots of hands-on experience.
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