4 ms·

When we purchased our home in Minneapolis, I did the free at home water test for peace of mind. The whole thing was quite easy: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/g

When we purchased our home in Minneapolis, I did the free at home water test for peace of mind. The whole thing was quite easy: https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiatives/lead-testing/ https://www.minneapolismn.gov/government/programs-initiative...

jeffbee 2y ago
Given the costs and benefits involved, under what circumstances would you not simply run all of your drinking water through a Brita filter? They are inexpensive, solve problems aside from lead, and solve lead problems that emerged after your test (like what happened in Flint).
- b112 2y ago
  Brita filters solve lead problems? Carbon alone doesn't do it, Brita filters are basically just for taste and large particulate matter.* Brita filters don't typically remove bacteria, viruses, or anything truly worrisome from water. If your water is unsafe to drink before a Brita jug, it's unsafe after too. If you want to remove lead, a little brita filter jug won't do it. You need reverse osmosis, or maybe a fancy super-large, regularly renewed, incredibly expensive filter. * see followup posts
  - zdragnar 2y ago
    They do make them and they are readily available: https://www.brita.com/products/tahoe-water-pitcher-elite-filter/ https://www.brita.com/products/tahoe-water-pitcher-elite-fil...
    - b112 2y ago
      I've never seen this model before, it seems new to me. I'm quite skeptical of its performance. I can't seem to find anything other than their documentation, stating the veracity of their claims. I wish I could.
      - jeffbee 2y ago
        https://www.brita.com/assets/23601607167498ba405a22f7692b3b86.pdf https://www.brita.com/assets/23601607167498ba405a22f7692b3b8... It would be nice if you updated your original remark. I rarely see such a combination of total confidence and complete incorrectness, and you're giving advice on a health matter.
        b112 2y ago
        Thanks just found that, but again that's their documentation. What were their testing conditions like? Well anyhow, it does seem like there are filters with lead removal, so fair enough.
        willcipriano 2y ago
        NSF standards and testing procedures are typically something you have to pay for, the procedure can be purchased here: https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/nsf/nsfansi532023?source=blog https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/nsf/nsfansi532023?source...
        kjellsbells 2y ago
        Also NSF certification for the NSF53 standard here: https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?Standard=053&Company=06710& https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?Standard=05...
        biorach 2y ago
        in fairness I think the burden of proof is on whoever is claiming the brita lead filter is safe
        parl_match 2y ago
        > It would be nice if you updated your original remark. I rarely see such a combination of total confidence and complete incorrectness, and you're giving advice on a health matter. You said "Brita filter". Not "Brita Elite filter", which is a different brand and not what is included in most "Brita" brand filter jugs. Despite you only saying "Brita filter", not all Brita-brand filters are the same. It would be nice if you updated your original remark to say Brita Elite. :) I rarely see such a combination of total smugness and incorrectness, and you're making us all stupider for it.
- germinalphrase 2y ago
  Despite the risk implied by the existence of this water quality mapping, Minneapolis and Saint Paul have some of the highest metropolitan tap water quality in the nation. The concern about lead pipes is local to the individual property, so it’s wise to test (and understand the age of your infrastructure) but the Brita would be a cost without a benefit in my case. The water is clean, and I’ve personally assured that through lab testing.
  - plorg 2y ago
    At least in St Paul they are actively replacing lead service lines in whole neighborhoods at a time. The line replacement itself is free although there may be some costs and logistical hurdles to the homeowner to prepare the house and get the existing line inspected.

jeffbee 2y ago

Given the costs and benefits involved, under what circumstances would you not simply run all of your drinking water through a Brita filter? They are inexpensive, solve problems aside from lead, and solve lead problems that emerged after your test (like what happened in Flint).

b112 2y ago
Brita filters solve lead problems? Carbon alone doesn't do it, Brita filters are basically just for taste and large particulate matter.* Brita filters don't typically remove bacteria, viruses, or anything truly worrisome from water. If your water is unsafe to drink before a Brita jug, it's unsafe after too. If you want to remove lead, a little brita filter jug won't do it. You need reverse osmosis, or maybe a fancy super-large, regularly renewed, incredibly expensive filter. * see followup posts
- zdragnar 2y ago
  They do make them and they are readily available: https://www.brita.com/products/tahoe-water-pitcher-elite-filter/ https://www.brita.com/products/tahoe-water-pitcher-elite-fil...
  - b112 2y ago
    I've never seen this model before, it seems new to me. I'm quite skeptical of its performance. I can't seem to find anything other than their documentation, stating the veracity of their claims. I wish I could.
    - jeffbee 2y ago
      https://www.brita.com/assets/23601607167498ba405a22f7692b3b86.pdf https://www.brita.com/assets/23601607167498ba405a22f7692b3b8... It would be nice if you updated your original remark. I rarely see such a combination of total confidence and complete incorrectness, and you're giving advice on a health matter.
      - b112 2y ago
        Thanks just found that, but again that's their documentation. What were their testing conditions like? Well anyhow, it does seem like there are filters with lead removal, so fair enough.
        willcipriano 2y ago
        NSF standards and testing procedures are typically something you have to pay for, the procedure can be purchased here: https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/nsf/nsfansi532023?source=blog https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/nsf/nsfansi532023?source...
      - kjellsbells 2y ago
        Also NSF certification for the NSF53 standard here: https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?Standard=053&Company=06710& https://info.nsf.org/Certified/DWTU/Listings.asp?Standard=05...
      - biorach 2y ago
        in fairness I think the burden of proof is on whoever is claiming the brita lead filter is safe
      - parl_match 2y ago
        > It would be nice if you updated your original remark. I rarely see such a combination of total confidence and complete incorrectness, and you're giving advice on a health matter. You said "Brita filter". Not "Brita Elite filter", which is a different brand and not what is included in most "Brita" brand filter jugs. Despite you only saying "Brita filter", not all Brita-brand filters are the same. It would be nice if you updated your original remark to say Brita Elite. :) I rarely see such a combination of total smugness and incorrectness, and you're making us all stupider for it.
germinalphrase 2y ago
Despite the risk implied by the existence of this water quality mapping, Minneapolis and Saint Paul have some of the highest metropolitan tap water quality in the nation. The concern about lead pipes is local to the individual property, so it’s wise to test (and understand the age of your infrastructure) but the Brita would be a cost without a benefit in my case. The water is clean, and I’ve personally assured that through lab testing.
- plorg 2y ago
  At least in St Paul they are actively replacing lead service lines in whole neighborhoods at a time. The line replacement itself is free although there may be some costs and logistical hurdles to the homeowner to prepare the house and get the existing line inspected.