Shungite works by adsorption: its surface retains some of the impurities in water – primarily mechanical particles and certain organic compounds. As a result, the water may become clearer and more pleasant in taste and smell.
At the same time, shungite is not a complete multi-stage purification system. It does not remove dissolved hardness salts, heavy metals, nitrates, bacteria and viruses in the way that specialised multi-stage filters do. So it should not be regarded as the only way to make water safe.
Shungite is an addition to existing home water treatment methods, not a replacement for them. It suits those who want to improve the sensory properties of water (taste, smell, clarity) in a simple and affordable way – without complex equipment or replacement cartridges.
If you have doubts about the safety of the water from your source, it is better to rely on proven purification methods or to use shungite together with them, not instead of them.