Review on ZeroWater ZR-004 Replacement Filter Cartridges 4-Pack: Ensuring Clean Water, a Basic Pack by Alicia Fraser

Plastic bag. I wonder if they have been used, ie returned because the product's original packaging was damaged. The filters were not packaged in the box so they may tear/damage on impact as the product (filter) cannot be inspected without removing the opaque white filter film. WITH MUNICIPAL WATER TREATMENT. MANY CUSTOMER REVIEWS HERE HAVE COMPLAINTED ABOUT AMBER AND BLACK PARTICLES LEAVING THE FILTERS DURING USE AND APPEARING IN THE TOP OF THE JUG CHAMBER. THIS IS NOT INCORRECT FILTER CONTENT. THESE FILTERS WORK BY (1) ACTIVATED CARBON, WHICH ABSORBS UNWANTED GASES THAT AFFECT TASTE, AND (2) AMBER ZEOLITE GRANULES, WHICH CAPTURE DISSOLVED MINERALS, PRINCIPALLY CALCIUM AND SODIUM, THAT ARE COMMONLY PRESENT. These activated carbon particles (black) and zeolite beads (amber) accumulate and remain at the top of the filter vessel, so their presence causes small amounts to flow back out of the filter module during use. These particles are harmless and do not need to be cleaned with every cast. Also, these zeolite beads and activated carbon filters work much longer when you use them in the stream of a standard water softener, reducing the amount of dissolved solids that should later be removed with zero filters. Read reviews here that discuss how to organize partially used and new Zero filters between multiple filter pitchers so they last 2 to 4 times longer. I tried it, the approach is logical and works. FOR THOSE SUFFERING FROM KIDNEY STONES (LIKE ME), THESE ZERO FILTERS ARE A MUST! I USE POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (NOT SODIUM SALT) IN MY WATER SOFTENER TO AVOID CALCIUM AND SODIUM THAT CONTRIBUTE TO KIDNEY STONES. I STOP HAVING KIDNEY STONES BY USING POTASSIUM CHLORIDE IN A WATER SOFTENER UNIT COMBINED WITH ZERO FILTERS FOR MY BODY'S WATER SUPPLY. THE KIDNEY STONES SHOWN ON THE X-RAY DISAPPEARED AFTER USING ZERO FILTERS AND POTASSIUM CHLORIDE IN THE WATER SOFTENER. THE HEATER WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WHEN USING POTASSIUM CHLORIDE AND NOT SODIUM SALT.