How Do Tap Water Filters Work, And What Do They Do To Your Drinking Water?
Key takeaways
- The Flowpure stainless steel tap filter blocks sediment, rust and visible particles, and its carbon layer removes chlorine and unpleasant tastes and odours.
- The Flowpure stainless steel tap filter is not a water softener.
- The Drinking Water Inspectorate says to change activated carbon cartridges as the manufacturer instructs.
A tap water filter works by passing your drinking water through layers that block solid particles and treat selected substances, and the Flowpure stainless steel tap filter does this with micropore and mesh stages followed by a carbon layer. The result is water that tastes and smells cleaner, with less chlorine and fewer visible particles such as sediment and rust in your glass.
Contents - How Does A Tap Filter Work On Your Drinking Water? - Why Does Tap Water Taste Of Chlorine In England And Wales? - Is Filtering The Same As Softening? - Why Is The Stainless Steel Filter A Practical Choice? - How Do You Keep A Tap Filter Working Well?
How Does A Tap Filter Work On Your Drinking Water?
A tap filter works in stages, and each stage has its own job. In the Flowpure stainless steel tap filter, the micropore and mesh stages block sediment, rust and visible particles, and the 0.1 micron specification describes the size of that barrier rather than a measured result for every substance. The carbon layer then removes chlorine, volatile organic compounds and unpleasant tastes and odours. In my opinion, a filter with clearly separated jobs is easier to trust than one with a long list of promises.
Why Does Tap Water Taste Of Chlorine In England And Wales?
Tap water tastes of chlorine because supplies carry a small residual of disinfectant. The Drinking Water Inspectorate, the public body for England and Wales, says companies typically keep residual disinfectant, measured as free or combined chlorine, at 0.5 mg/l or less. Its review of 2025 drinking water quality in England adds that chlorinous tastes can arise from elevated or poorly controlled dosing, long water residence times or changes in demand. Ofwat found that taste related reasons, including a dislike of tap water, were the most common reasons people gave for buying bottled water.
The carbon layer in the Flowpure stainless steel tap filter reduces chlorine and the taste and smell it leaves, so the glass you pour at the kitchen tap can taste cleaner. Water can be safe to drink and still not taste clean to you, and filtering at the tap gives you a simple way to improve the taste of every glass and kettle.
Is Filtering The Same As Softening?
Filtering and softening are separate jobs, and the Flowpure stainless steel tap filter is a filter, not a water softener. The Drinking Water Inspectorate says softeners exchange calcium and magnesium for sodium, advises keeping an unsoftened supply to the kitchen tap for drinking and cooking, and says softened water should not be used to make up baby feeds. In a hard water home in England and Wales, I would want both jobs thought about, with the filter looking after the taste of the water you pour.
The Drinking Water Inspectorate also says jug filters are not connected to the water supply, while reverse osmosis has a waste stream equal to 20 to 30 per cent of the incoming flow and should be considered only for specialist domestic purposes. For everyday drinking water in England and Wales, I prefer filtering at the tap, where the Flowpure stainless steel tap filter treats the water you actually pour.
Why Is The Stainless Steel Filter A Practical Choice?
The Flowpure stainless steel tap filter has a 304 stainless steel body, comes with five thread adapters and uses a cartridge rated for about 1,200 litres or up to three months. It blocks sediment, rust and visible particles, removes chlorine and VOCs, and also targets lead and trace metals. If lead is a worry, test first and ask your water company about testing support before relying on any filter.
Product Card: Flowpure Stainless Steel Tap Filter - 304 stainless steel body - Five thread adapters - 0.1 micron filtration - About 1,200 litres or up to three months per cartridge
Check your outlet and the adapter against the fitting instructions before you start, and use a qualified plumber. The Drinking Water Inspectorate says water treatment devices should be installed by a qualified plumber and must comply with regulation 4 of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999. Five adapters give you several options to match your tap, and checking the actual outlet settles the question.
How Do You Keep A Tap Filter Working Well?
Keep a written record of the fitting date, the litres used and the three month limit, and change the cartridge when either is reached. The Drinking Water Inspectorate says that if you buy an activated carbon filter you should change the cartridge as the manufacturer instructs, and that neglecting cleaning and cartridge changes will cause a build up of deposits. I would budget for replacement cartridges from the start, because cartridge care is part of owning the filter. Done that way, I think the Flowpure stainless steel tap filter deserves a place at your kitchen tap.
Hot takes from Hannah Reid
- Opinion: I think a filter with clearly separated jobs is easier to trust than a long list of promises.
- Opinion: I prefer filtering at the tap, where the Flowpure stainless steel tap filter treats the water you pour.
Pros
- 304 stainless steel body.
- Five thread adapters supplied.
- Reduces chlorine and improves the taste and smell of drinking water.
Frequently asked questions
Does A Tap Filter Improve Chlorine Taste?
Yes, the carbon layer in the Flowpure stainless steel tap filter reduces chlorine and the taste and smell it leaves, so your drinking water can taste cleaner.
Does The Flowpure Stainless Steel Tap Filter Soften Water?
The Flowpure stainless steel tap filter is not a water softener. The Drinking Water Inspectorate says softeners exchange calcium and magnesium for sodium.
When Should The Cartridge Be Replaced?
Replace the Flowpure stainless steel tap filter cartridge at about 1,200 litres or up to three months, and keep a written fitting date to track both limits.
What Should I Do If I Am Concerned About Lead?
Test first and ask your water company about testing support. The Flowpure stainless steel tap filter targets lead and trace metals, and testing shows where you stand.