CoreXchange filtration media Pure XP tested to reduce 99.4% of TTHMs Independent testing contaminant reduction NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF 372 material safety Disinfection byproducts warm-weather focus 99.8% HAA5 reduction (tested) Published testing documentation CoreXchange filtration media Pure XP tested to reduce 99.4% of TTHMs Independent testing contaminant reduction NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF 372 material safety Disinfection byproducts warm-weather focus 99.8% HAA5 reduction (tested) Published testing documentation
Pure XP Pitcher Add to Cart

Disinfection byproducts in tap water

Summer tap water tastes like a pool. Here is why, and what helps.

When water gets warm, chlorine reacts with natural organic matter and makes more disinfection byproducts. Pure XP uses an activated carbon block independently tested to reduce 99.4% of trihalomethanes and 99.8% of HAA5, plus the chlorine taste and odor you notice first.

99.4% TTHM Pure XP independently tested reduction
NSF Certified NSF/ANSI 42 material safety + NSF 372 lead-free
Made in the USA Pure XP + Nano XP filters are made in the USA
Buy Pure XP Pitcher Buy Nano XP
NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF 372 BPA/BPS free focus Less single-use bottle waste

The quick picture

Disinfection byproducts are normal. In summer there are simply more of them.

Here is the short version: chlorine keeps your water safe from germs, warm weather makes more byproducts as a side effect, and an activated carbon filter is the everyday tool for reducing them at the tap.

Cl THM
Chlorine in keeps the supply safe
Carbon block adsorbs byproducts
Cleaner pour less taste, less odor
01

Boiling does not fix it.

Boiling can drive off some volatile trihalomethanes, but it concentrates other dissolved compounds and does nothing for haloacetic acids.

02

Material safety still matters.

Pure XP and Nano XP carry NSF/ANSI 42 material-safety and NSF 372 lead-free compliance, so the filter does not add new worries while reducing old ones.

03

The best filter is the one you use.

Pitcher, dispenser, or under-sink: match the setup to your kitchen so filtered water becomes automatic.

Why NSF 42/372 belongs on this page

A summer filter should cut byproducts and chlorine taste without adding a new material worry.

That is why we pair independent reduction testing with material-safety certification. Reducing trihalomethanes and HAA5 is the job. Safe everyday contact is the baseline.

Epic water filter materials and certification visual
NSF 42 Pure XP + Nano XP material safety Certification focus for materials in contact with your water.
NSF 372 Pure XP + Nano XP lead-free material compliance Lead-content standard for wetted materials in drinking water products.
99.4% TTHM reduction in independent testing Total trihalomethanes, the regulated chlorination byproduct group.
99.8% HAA5 reduction in independent testing The five regulated haloacetic acids.

The simple checklist

Three things to check before you buy a summer water filter.

1

Byproduct reduction

  • Pure XP is tested to reduce 99.4% of TTHMs and 99.8% of HAA5.
  • Look for published byproduct testing, not vague claims.
  • Activated carbon is the recognized media for byproducts.
2

Material safety

  • Pure XP and Nano XP highlight NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF 372.
  • BPA/BPS-free materials matter for daily contact.
  • Certification scope should be easy to review.
3

Daily behavior

  • Pitcher for compact fridge routines.
  • Dispenser for shared kitchens.
  • Under-sink for tap-first convenience.

Inside the filter

The visual version: chlorinated water in, carbon does the work, better-tasting water out.

CoreXchange does more than one job. For byproducts the key mechanism is adsorption: the activated carbon block grabs trihalomethanes, chlorine, and related compounds as water passes through, then sends a cleaner-tasting pour out the bottom.

01
Chlorine and byproduct adsorption Activated carbon grabs trihalomethanes and chlorine taste.
02
Broad contaminant focus Pure XP also targets PFAS, lead, VOCs, and microplastics.
03
Format fit Nano XP, Pure XP, dispenser, or under-sink depending on routine.
Tap water in
Layer 1: Carbon block adsorption
Layer 2: Carbon fiber block core
Filtered water out

A look inside

Summer water chemistry is complicated. Your pour should not be.

Fill Filter Pour Replace cartridge on schedule Use fewer plastic bottles

Choose your setup

The same Epic products, tuned to a summer byproducts decision.

Use the direct buttons below to add the exact product to cart.

Epic Pure XP Pitcher
Best all-around

Pure XP Pitcher

Simple fridge filter for broad contaminant reduction and everyday water.

  • NSF/ANSI 42 material safety callout
  • Tested to reduce 99.4% TTHM, 99.8% HAA5
  • 100-gallon filter capacity
Buy Pure XP Pitcher
Epic Pure XP Dispenser
Best for families

Pure XP Dispenser

More ready-to-pour filtered water for households that refill often.

  • Pure XP tested to reduce 99.4% of TTHMs
  • Great for fridge or counter routines
  • Direct add-to-cart checkout behavior
Buy Dispenser
Epic Nano XP Pitcher
Microbiological focus

Nano XP Pitcher

For byproduct reduction plus microbiological concerns while maintaining fluoride.

  • NSF/ANSI 42 material safety callout
  • Also reduces byproducts and chlorine taste
  • Maintains fluoride
Buy Nano XP
Epic Smart Shield Max under-sink water filter
Best under sink

Smart Shield Max

Tap-first filtration for kitchens where you want the counter clear.

  • CoreXchange double-layer media
  • Up to 750 gallons per filter
  • Under-sink convenience
Buy Smart Shield Max

Fast decision guide

Pick by routine, not by overthinking.

Disinfection byproducts are a water-chemistry problem. The product decision is a daily-use problem.

Epic Pure XP water filter in everyday kitchen use
Pure XP
Choose this for broad everyday contaminant coverage. Great first move for most fridge routines.
Nano XP
Choose this for byproducts plus microbiological concerns. Good when fluoride retention is part of the decision.
Dispenser
Choose this when everyone in the house keeps refilling. Same simple behavior, more ready water.
Max
Choose this when you want filtration at the sink. Best for a cleaner counter and tap-first flow.
Need Pure XP Nano XP Max
Byproduct reduction Strong Strong Strong
No install Yes Yes No
NSF certifications 42/372 42/372 N/A

Quick answers

Disinfection byproducts FAQ, minus the wall of text.

Is Pure XP good for reducing disinfection byproducts?

Yes. Pure XP uses an activated carbon block, the media recognized for reducing chlorination byproducts. It is independently tested to reduce 99.4% of total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and 99.8% of HAA5, the two regulated groups of disinfection byproducts, plus the chlorine taste and odor you notice first. It is our recommended everyday pick.

What are disinfection byproducts, and why do they rise in summer?

Disinfection byproducts form when chlorine or chloramine reacts with natural organic matter in source water. Warmer water speeds up that reaction, so trihalomethane levels often climb in late spring and summer. That seasonal swing is why a glass of tap water can smell more like a swimming pool in July than in January.

Why do NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF 372 matter here?

Your water is in constant contact with the filter materials. NSF/ANSI 42 covers material safety for drinking water treatment units and NSF 372 covers lead-free compliance, and Pure XP and Nano XP carry both. Contaminant-reduction performance, including byproduct reduction, is shown through independent testing rather than NSF certification.

Which Epic filter should I choose?

Pure XP is the everyday all-around pick and our recommendation for disinfection byproducts and chlorine taste. Choose the Pure XP Dispenser for larger households, Nano XP if you also want microbiological reduction while keeping fluoride, or Smart Shield Max if you prefer filtration at the tap.

What are the limits for trihalomethanes and HAA5?

The EPA sets enforceable limits of 80 parts per billion for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and 60 parts per billion for the five haloacetic acids (HAA5), measured as a running annual average. Many systems stay within those limits, but smaller systems on surface water sometimes post exceedance notices, especially in warm months.

How often should I replace my filter?

Replace your cartridge on the recommended schedule. Carbon media has a finite capacity, and a fresh filter keeps taste, odor, and byproduct reduction performing as designed, which matters most in summer when byproduct levels tend to peak.

Does boiling water remove disinfection byproducts?

Not reliably. Boiling can drive off some of the more volatile trihalomethanes, but it concentrates many dissolved compounds as the water evaporates and does nothing for haloacetic acids. An activated carbon filter is a more consistent everyday approach for taste, odor, and byproduct reduction.

Ready to make it simple?

Choose the filter your kitchen will actually use.

Pure XP for everyday byproduct and taste reduction. Nano XP if you also want microbiological reduction with fluoride retention. Dispenser for more household capacity.

Buy Pure XP Pitcher Buy Nano XP Buy Dispenser

Disinfection byproduct and trihalomethane background is summarized from the EPA Stage 1 and Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rules, a Massachusetts Department of Public Health TTHM fact sheet, and peer-reviewed work on seasonal byproduct variation published in Scientific Reports. NSF standards background is summarized from NSF consumer resources. Reduction figures (99.4% TTHM, 99.8% HAA5) are from Epic Water Filters independent testing. NSF certification and independent contaminant-reduction testing are not the same thing: Pure XP and Nano XP are NSF certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 42 for material safety and to NSF 372 for lead-free compliance, while byproduct-reduction performance is shown through independent testing. Review each product page and testing documentation for exact standards, claims, and contaminant lists. Performance varies by water quality, usage, and replacement schedule. Last updated June 2026.