Is polyphosphate safe to consume?
Is it safe to drink water with phosphates?
Are silicophosphate filters safe for drinking water?
These questions all raise the same concern: the safety of polyphosphate in drinking water.
The short answer: Yes. Low concentrations of polyphosphate used in water filters are generally considered safe to drink. Major regulatory agencies, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), have approved its use for this purpose.
Polyphosphates are chain-like structures made up of phosphate molecules. In water treatment, they serve two main functions (learn more here):
Scale Prevention (Antiscalant): Polyphosphate reacts with calcium and magnesium minerals (the cause of “hard water”). Instead of removing them, it sequesters these minerals, keeping them dissolved in the water. By preventing crystallization, it stops scale from forming on pipes, heaters, and appliances.
Corrosion Inhibition: Polyphosphate can form a thin protective layer inside metal pipes. This helps reduce the corrosion of copper, lead, and iron, potentially lowering the amount of these metals in drinking water.
Polyphosphate is commonly used in pre-filters, cartridges, and whole-house or commercial water treatment systems. It is also applied in industrial water management.
FDA Status: Polyphosphates are listed as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) when manufactured under good practices.
EPA Guidance: While the EPA (learn more here) regulates phosphates primarily to control algae growth in surface water, trace concentrations in drinking water are not considered harmful.
The key factor is dosage(check dosage form here). Water treatment systems typically use only a few parts per million (ppm) of polyphosphate—far below any level that would pose a health risk.
Important note: Polyphosphate balls or cartridges are not purifiers. They:
Do not remove bacteria, viruses, pesticides, heavy metals, or chemical contaminants.
Only control scale and corrosion
For guidance on how to choose the right antiscalant ball size, please see this article.. For people seeking to remove dissolved minerals (to produce soft water), a traditional salt-based ion exchange softener is a better choice.
Over time, especially in hot water, polyphosphates can hydrolyze into orthophosphates—a simpler, naturally occurring form of phosphorus. Orthophosphates are safe to drink. However, in aquariums, excess phosphate can promote algae growth, which may harm aquatic ecosystems.
For most households, polyphosphate filters are safe and effective:
Protects pipes, heaters, and appliances from costly scale buildup.
Reduces corrosion and potential heavy metal leaching.
Provides long-term savings and system reliability.
If you are considering a polyphosphate filter, make sure you understand its purpose: scale prevention, not purification. For personalized advice, contact the Aquavow Technical Team (learn more here) .
20+ years of expertise in water treatment.
Global leader in producing antiscalant balls as small as 1–2mm.
Innovator in slow-release food-grade glass antiscalant balls.
Learn more about our polyphosphate balls (learn more here) .