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What Filter Removes

Which water filters remove bacteria and viruses?

2 of the 96 current water filters we track are certified to reduce bacteria and viruses (NSF P231 listings). The lowest-priced is the Multipure Aquapremier (under-sink filter, $965; about $108 a year in filters for 2 people). 10 more claim it from brand-run lab tests only, which is not certification.

The EPA treatment technique for bacteria and viruses in public drinking water is 0 MCLG.

Source note

Total coliforms: MCLG zero; no more than 5.0% of monthly samples total-coliform positive (fewer than 40 samples/month: no more than one positive). Enteric viruses: MCLG zero, treatment technique (99.99% removal/inactivation for surface-water systems). epa.gov

Lowest-priced certified filter, by type

Under-sink filter

Multipure Aquapremier

$965 to buy · $108/yr for 2 · NSF P231

Check price at Multipure →

Certified to reduce bacteria and viruses (2)

Each row is a certifier listing for this exact product with bacteria and viruses in its reduction claims; the listing is linked. Yearly cost is replacement filters for 2 people, from each brand's filter prices and ratings.

FilterTypeListingPriceFilters a year
Multipure Aquapremier Under-sink filter NSF, NSF P231 $965 $108 Check price at Multipure
Multipure Aqualuxe Under-sink filter NSF, NSF P231 $1,325 $74 Check price at Multipure

Brand tests only, not certified (10)

These brands cite a lab report for bacteria and viruses, but no certifier lists the claim for the product. A lab report can be real; it is not an independent, ongoing certification with factory audits.

No bacteria and viruses claim (84 filters)

Common questions

Which water filters remove bacteria and viruses?

2 of the 96 current water filters we track are certified to reduce bacteria and viruses (NSF P231 listings). The lowest-priced is the Multipure Aquapremier (under-sink filter, $965; about $108 a year in filters for 2 people). 10 more claim it from brand-run lab tests only, which is not certification.

Is there a legal limit for bacteria and viruses in tap water?

The EPA treatment technique for bacteria and viruses in public drinking water is 0 MCLG. Filters vs purifiers: CDC says most portable filters remove parasites but not viruses or bacteria; bacteria need absolute pore size <=0.3 um, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration or RO; viruses need nanofiltration or RO; pitcher and fridge filters are not designed to remove germs. 'Purifier' claims are tied to NSF P231 (EPA 1987 guide standard). UV (NSF/ANSI 55) treats microbes only, not chemicals.

How do I know a filter really removes bacteria and viruses?

Look it up in the certifier's public database (NSF, WQA, IAPMO or CSA) under the exact model, and check that bacteria and viruses is in its list of reduction claims (usually under NSF/ANSI 244 or 55 or 62 or P231). "Tested to NSF standards" in an ad is not the same as a listing.