Silica may form as a degradation product in an electrochemical fuel cell system and may be found within the water management subsystem thereof. The silica may polymerize and/or react to form insoluble metal silicates which may lead to reduced lifetime or performance of individual components within the fuel cell system. These problems can be eliminated or reduced by adding a silica absorber such as aluminum, either as alumina granulate or an aluminum plate to the water management subsystem, for example in, upstream and/or downstream of the water filter. In addition, the silica absorber may be in, upstream and/or downstream of the water tank.