Aerators are small parts placed on the end of faucets. ... By diluting the water stream with air, aerators significantly reduce the volume of water flowing from your faucet. They do this while maintaining the feeling of a high-pressure flow. Aerators also reduce splashing in sinks.

Is a faucet aerator necessary?

By introducing small bubbles to the water, the faucet aerator allows the faucet to run longer while using less water. An aerator is not necessary and may even be counterproductive on some exterior faucets (such as for garden hoses), shower or bathtub faucets, or clothes washer water supply faucets.

What do tap aerators do?

Aerators, also called flow regulators, work by simply mixing air into the flow and this reduces the amount of water passing through the tap. ... The aerator is a bit like a fine sieve that separates the single flow of water into many tiny streams and surrounds these with air.