I used to use Brita filters for a long time but one day I looked closely and noticed tiny dark flakes in the water from what I assume was charcoal from the filter. Using new filters still left the flakes in the water so I just stopped using them altogether. Now I've been drinking straight tap water for ages. The taste was noticeably different at first but the tap water is perfectly safe where I live and it saves money.

I still wonder if it's normal for those charcoal flakes to pass through the filter and into the drinking water, and do they pose any concern?