I’m talking about the carbon brita-type filters. They usually have a line on the pitcher and you are supposed to keep the water level above that line. Why is that? I believe the filters work by bonding with impurities in the water…but I dont see how the filter’s effectiveness would be hurt by letting the water drop below the line. Would carbon particles possibly come out of the filter when you use it (like when the filter is first used)if it is allowed to dry?
Also, activated carbon can be pretty water repellent. That means that it may take a long soak to wet/hydrate the material sufficiently for it to be an effective filter.
Yes you are likely to get carbon particles if you let it dry out then run water through it again. Also activated carbon is a breading ground for bacteria if left unchecked. Many bacterial will grow faster in a moist environment than a wet one.