
When considering a water filter like ZeroWater, a common question is whether it can remove harmful bacteria and viruses from drinking water.
After all, who doesn’t want a filter that can do it all?
The Short Answer
Sorry to break the news, but…
ZeroWater filters are not designed to remove living microorganisms, such as bacteria or viruses.
These pathogens are typically too small to be captured by ZeroWater’s filter pores, which are optimized for removing dissolved solids, not biological contaminants.
ZeroWater filters are designed with a robust 5-stage filtration system that excels at removing Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) from water.
This includes contaminants like lead, metals, fluoride, chlorine, and other dissolved particles.
Why It Doesn’t Really Matter
If you’re using a municipal water supply, which is 86% of the United States population, your water is likely already treated to eliminate bacteria and viruses.
In this case, ZeroWater is an excellent choice to further purify your drinking water by removing chemical contaminants, improving taste, and reducing sediment.



However, if you rely on a private well, rainwater collection, or any source that isn’t guaranteed to be microbiologically safe, you’ll need additional measures to ensure your water is safe to drink.
This could involve a water filtration system that specifically targets pathogens, such as a UV sterilizer or a reverse osmosis system with a microbial barrier.
Solutions if You Need to Filter Pathogens
For customers who need to address bacteria and viruses in their water, such as :
- Residents in rural areas/with well water
- Campers and travelers
…consider these options:
Invest in a Comprehensive Filtration System: Consider a system designed for pathogen removal. You can purchase under the sink systems that incorporate ultraviolet (UV) light or advanced microfiltration can effectively eliminate or inactivate these microorganisms.
However if you’re looking for a cheaper option that still involves a pitcher style filter consider the Epic Nano Water Filter Pitcher down below which filters over 99.99% of bacteria, viruses cysts, as well as chemical contaminants.

Final Thoughts
ZeroWater is a powerful tool for improving the quality of your drinking water, especially if you’re concerned about heavy metals, chlorine, or other contaminants.
However, for bacteria and viruses, most of us don’t need to worry, due to the nature of water plants already treating for pathogens/microorganisms.
For whatever reason you do need to filter bacteria, try the Epic Nano Water Filter Pitcher, which does exactly that.
Understanding the strengths and limitations of your water filtration system ensures that you’re making the best choice for your health and peace of mind.



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