Ceramic is a powerful filter in its own right and can easily remove many contaminants. The degree of filtration varies, depending on the other filter media contained in the ceramic candlestick. The main categories of contaminants removed by basic ceramic filters are bacteria, sediment, and turbidity.
Bacteria: Ceramic filters are very effective at removing bacteria from water. Very few bacteria are smaller than one micron in size. Unable to pass through the pores, bacteria are filtered out as the water permeates the ceramic filter. Ceramic filters remove approximately 99% of disease-causing bacteria from water, including E. coli, Shigella, and Salmonella. Microbial cysts, such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, are also too large to pass through the filter and are therefore easily removed by the ceramic shell. Silver ion impregnation makes ceramic filtration particularly beneficial for those whose drinking water is microbiologically unsafe. Silver ions are toxic to bacteria and further eliminate bacterial contaminants and keep the filter surface clean.
Sediment: The porous surface of the ceramic filter effectively filters out particulate matter such as dirt, debris, and rust.
Turbidity: Turbidity is cloudiness caused by suspended particles in the water. This can turn the water into unpleasant yellow and brown colors. Ceramic filters can deftly remove the turbid color from the water and restore its clarity.
Chlorine (if the filter contains activated carbon): Most municipal water contains chlorine because it is used in the municipal purification process. Chlorine can give the water a bitter chemical taste and unpleasant odor. Activated carbon reduces the chlorine and chloramines in the water and restores the water's fresh taste.
VOCs (if the filter contains activated carbon): Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include a wide variety of chemical pollutants that enter the water through everything from agricultural runoff to consumer products such as paints and pesticides. These compounds are all carbon-based, and a ceramic filter with a carbon core will greatly reduce the VOC content in the water.
Heavy metals (if the filter contains ion exchange resin): Heavy metals such as lead, mercury, copper, and zinc are greatly reduced in the water if the ceramic element contains ion exchange resin.
