Brita Filters Have Limited Lifespan

The city of D.C. is passing out free water filters, and they are passing out the water pitcher from Brita. I looked on the box, and it says it removes 98 percent of lead, so it is an effective lead filter.

However, people should make sure and notice that the filter has a limited life span. There's a filter cartridge that fits into the pitcher, and it is only good for 40 gallons, and then it has to be replaced. So I don't want people to think that they can just use that pitcher for the next six months and be safe: the filter eventually fills up and is not effective anymore.

Also, people need to be sure to read the instructions that come with the pitcher — because for some of them, you have to soak the cartridge completely immersed in water before you begin using it the first time, and you also may have to pour out the first few pitchers full of water. §