Abstract: A replaceable gravity-flow cyst-reducing water filter cartridge for placement in a water filter carafe, comprising a filter cartridge housing with a cap having a plurality of untreated water inlet ports, wherein the cap is sealingly attached to a top rim of the housing. The filter housing further comprises a gooseneck conduit that is connected to a lower region of the filter housing, with the gooseneck conduit having at one end a treated water outlet port that opens into a side surface of the filter housing. The filter housing also includes a packed bed of ion-exchange resin that is disposed in an upper region of the filter housing and a high surface area cyst-reducing filter element that is disposed in the lower region of the filter housing. The filter element provides at least 99.95% removal of 3-4 &mgr;m particles when tested in accordance with NSF standard 53, Drinking Water Treatment Units—Health Effects (September 1997).