La Pavoni Europiccola - some issues and questions from a new user - Page 4

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G_B (original poster)
Posts: 8
Joined: 12 years ago

#31: Post by G_B (original poster) »

TomC wrote:Gerard,

A Brita filter will do nothing for treating water hardness.
Hi Tom,

As far as I know Brita filters contain a cation exchange resin, which will reduce Ca2+ concentration.


EDIT:
From the brita site (emphasis mine):
"How does a BRITA water filter cartridge work?
The majority of BRITA cartridges contain a combination of ion exchange resin and activated carbon. The carbon absorbs chlorine, pesticides and organic pollutants, improves taste and eliminates odours and discolouration. It also contains an inhibitor that prevents bacterial growth. The ion exchange resin reduces temporary hardness, which causes limecale. It also significantly reduces levels of metals such as copper and lead."

http://www.brita.net/uk/faqs_household.html?&L=1#8

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boar_d_laze
Posts: 2058
Joined: 17 years ago

#32: Post by boar_d_laze »

TomC wrote:A Brita filter will do nothing for treating water hardness.
But, cf Brita:
The overall hardness of water consists of permanent hardness and temporary hardness. Permanent hardness (caused by calcium and magnesium sulphates as well as chloride) does not influence the taste of water or the function of household appliances. Temporary hardness (caused by calcium and magnesium hydrogen carbonate) primarily affects the taste of food and other beverages prepared with hot water. It is also responsible for the scale deposits found in household appliances that heat water. Not least important, many plants and flowers flourish with decarbonised water.

The BRITA water filter cartridge reduces the temporary hardness of drinking water. The results of this reduction: better tasting water for hot drinks and cooked food and less scale build up in household appliances. Tea tests performed for over 40 years have consistently shown that consumers perceive differences between the appearance and taste of tea prepared with BRITA filtered water versus with unfiltered water. This difference is clearly more pronounced in regions with harder water than in soft water areas.
BDL
Drop a nickel in the pot Joe. Takin' it slow. Waiter, waiter, percolator

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TomC
Team HB
Posts: 10535
Joined: 13 years ago

#33: Post by TomC »

Yes, foot properly placed in mouth...

Vaguely recalling water commentary here and elsewhere that suggested to me that these filters were insufficient for reducing excessively hard water, and needing frequent filter changes to remain effective. Moreso, used for the removal of hard metals, ie, copper and lead. If I had excessively hard water at home, I wouldn't rely on a Brita filter solely as a means of eliminating it. But I stated incorrectly, since a Brita filter will tame it.

About ten pages in to the extremely thorough thread on water here, supplied me with enough evidence that my concern is relatively small, since my water is already well suited and soft, somewhere around 2 grains or so.
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