FreshWater's British made Pearl 7-stage cartridge removes 99.99% of all particles larger than one micron including dirt, rust, sediment, bacteria and parasites. Improves taste and odour, removes chlorine. The Pearl cartridge also removes organic pollutants such as agricultural pesticides, herbicides, oestrogens and other chemicals. The cartridge additionally removes dissolved heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead and mercury.