# Why am I getting algae growth in my Brita pitcher? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 28, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-getting-algae-growth-in-my-brita-pitcher/333049 "2005-11-28T13:40:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-getting-algae-growth-in-my-brita-pitcher/333049/1 "2005-11-28T13:40:41Z")
I have one of those ubiquitous Brita water filter pitchers that sits on the kitchen counter in my house. About every month or so, I notice that it begins to develop a greenish tint, and sure enough closer examination reveals a tiny coating of algae, usually on the bottom of the pitcher. What gives? Admittedly, the pitcher is exposed to direct sunlight occasionally, but algae doesn’t spontaneously generate, it has to come from somewhere. Does the filter not remove it, or is it airborne and somehow works its way in through the pouring spout? Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![R.P.McMurphy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7993a0/32.png) [@R.P.McMurphy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/R.P.McMurphy)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-getting-algae-growth-in-my-brita-pitcher/333049/2 "2005-11-28T13:53:53Z")
Keep it in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![Emilio\_Lizardo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Emilio\_Lizardo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emilio_Lizardo)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-getting-algae-growth-in-my-brita-pitcher/333049/3 "2005-11-28T15:00:53Z")
> [@](#): > > Keep it in the fridge. That would _solve_ the problem, but it does not answer the fundamental underlying question of where the algae is coming from. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-getting-algae-growth-in-my-brita-pitcher/333049/4 "2005-11-28T16:39:21Z")
I get this too, I vote for the spores (or whatever) being in the tap water and the algae can take hold because the filter removes the Chlorine that normally keeps it down. I just wash the jug when it looks too icky. ---
**Author:** ![Philster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Philster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Philster)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-getting-algae-growth-in-my-brita-pitcher/333049/5 "2005-11-28T16:49:27Z")
Any remaining chlorine is gone after sitting in the light, too, facilitating algae growth. Also, if your water is slightly acidic and/or has a hint of nitrogen in it, then expect accelerated growth. Nitrogen finds its way into water supplies from home owner use of lawn and garden fertilizer, among other things. Green things love nitrogen. BTW, ammonia delivers nitrogen. Don’t clean the pitchers with ammonia or ammonia based products, such as windex and other glass or multisurface cleaners. (Do you have well water?) ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-am-i-getting-algae-growth-in-my-brita-pitcher/333049/6 "2005-11-28T16:54:58Z")
Also, how often do you change the filter?