The Black Berkey® Elements don’t necessarily need to be cleaned every time you clean your Berkey® unit. However, this can vary depending on your area and water source. In certain areas, the water is much dirtier than normal, and will necessitate cleaning the elements more frequently, possibly even more than cleaning the rest of the […]
Tips & Resources
Can I use my Berkey® system to filter water from my dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers that use refrigeration will have cold metal tubes to turn water vapor from a gas to a liquid. According to the EPA, stagnant condensate water can harbor biological contaminants, including mold, mildew and algae, especially if the collection bucket isn’t cleaned regularly. These contaminants have the potential for causing diseases such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis […]
Should I disinfect raw water before filtering it with the Berkey?
How safe is it to use the Black Berkey Elements to filter raw water from freshwater sources (lakes, ponds, rain runoff, rivers, and streams)? What additional precautions, if any, should be taken such as prefiltration and/or water treatment with disinfectants before filtering through a Berkey system? I am in an area that is contaminated with […]
What Materials are used in the different Berkey Spigots?
What materials are used in the manufacturing of the Berkey® spigots and their related components? There are four different official Berkey spigots available for purchase from authorized dealers like USA Berkey Filters. The spigots are: The standard black plastic spigot used in all Berkey Stainless Steel Systems, except for the Go Berkey Kit. The standard […]
Will Black Berkey® Elements Remove Chlorine From Pool Water?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has listed the following sources as not recommended for drinking water: Radiators, hot water boilers (home heating systems) Swimming pools and spas Water from the toilet bowl or flush tank Waterbeds Swimming pools commonly contain the following chemicals and contaminants: pH increaser, pH decreaser, alkalinity increaser (sodium bicarbonate, baking […]
2 People Who NEED a Berkey (Satire)
The original title of this article was “2 People Who Should NOT Buy a Berkey” but it was shot down in our writer’s meeting. Instead, we were instructed to write this article with a more inclusive title and tone. So, here it is. (It was supposed to be submitted for approval prior to publishing…so I’ve […]
Do Black Berkey® Elements remove healthy minerals or electrolytes from the water?
The media used in the Black Berkey® Elements is not designed to remove beneficial (ionic) minerals from your water supply. These kinds of minerals can be reduced if they are in high concentration, but some will still be allowed through. No testing has been conducted for the removal rate of ionic minerals, as they are […]
A Rescue That Could Have Been Avoided
Four years ago last month, I witnessed a swift water rescue team rescue an elderly man who was stranded in a Target parking lot during Hurricane Harvey. During the first break in that never-ending storm, I hopped into my truck to survey the damage, first around my immediate neighborhood and then down the major roads. […]
Which Berkey Model is Right for My Family?
When shopping for a Berkey® system, deciding which size to purchase can be a bit of a challenge for some people. When talking with customers and helping them to determine which size might best suit their needs, we often ask questions such as… How many people will be using the Berkey system for their daily […]
5 Reasons Why 5th Wheelers Choose Berkey Water Systems
For the last few years, we have experienced a growing flood of Berkey® purchases from individuals and families who have decided to live anywhere wheels can roll! From re-purposed school buses to custom trailer builds, and from van modifications to beautiful RVs, people have just decided to bring their Berkeys along with them…and we love […]
Black Berkey® Purification Elements: The Final Barrier against PFOA and Other PFCs in Drinking Water
The following article was provided courtesy of Berkey® Water Systems, the manufacturer of Berkey purifiers and products. The EPA recently reported that drinking water supplies to more than 5.2 million Americans are contaminated with a group of toxic chemicals known as Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs); at levels higher than what the EPA deems to be safe […]
Will Black Berkey® Filtration Elements Remove PFAS and Other PFCs from Drinking Water?
PFAS, a kind of toxic chemical found in consumer products, have been in the news a lot lately. Consumer Reports recently did a study on 47 bottled waters, and found PFAS chemicals at levels higher than recommended by some experts. Michigan recently enacted some of the country’s strictest standards regarding PFAS limits for the state’s public water […]
3 Reasons Why USA Berkey Filters Does Not Require Purchase Minimums for Free Shipping
As authorized Berkey® dealers for the last sixteen years, we have never required a purchase minimum for our USA customers to enjoy free shipping on their Berkey purchases and we never will! Some dealers require you to purchase $49, $75, or even $100+ worth of products before offering “free shipping”. Others charge a “small shipping […]
Do Black Berkey Elements Remove Estrogen from Water?
The following information on the potential removal of estrogen by the Black Berkey® Purification Elements was provided by the manufacturer of the Berkey® products, New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. @ berkeywater.com: What are estrogenic compounds? “Estrogenic compounds are part of a larger category of chemicals known as endocrine-disruptors (EDCs), chemicals that can alter the hormonal and […]
Preparing for a Hurricane
Given that the North Atlantic hurricane season started earlier this month, it’s no wonder sales of emergency supplies have sharpened, from generators to Berkey® water systems*, and first-aid supplies to fuel storage containers. Among the four natural weather hazards that Americans should prepare for this summer, the National Weather Service emphasizes hurricanes as a major […]
Washing the Berkey Water Level View Spigot (AKA Sight Glass Spigot)
With the regular cleaning & maintenance of both your Black Berkey Elements, additional filters and accessories, and the system chambers, it is important to know the right spots to clean the Berkey Water Level View Spigot too. In the picture below, you can see an exploded view of the parts of the Water Level View […]
Berkey Water Filter System Maintenance & Cleaning
To maximize the lifespan and performance of your Berkey water filter system, regular cleaning and maintenance is critical. In addition to maintenance of the Black Berkey Elements and the optional add-on PF-2 Fluoride Filters, regular washing of the stainless steel chambers and lid (or the Berkey Light plastic upper & lower chambers and fabric lid), […]
Practical Water Storage: 55 Gallon HDPE Plastic Drum vs. Aquatank II
For several reasons, 55 gallon drums may not always be your most practical solution for emergency water storage. For starters, purchasing new & unused HDPE (high-density polyethylene) drums is expensive. This is due in large part to the high cost of bulk/motor freight shipping. Most of the time, the cost of shipping drums is equal […]
How to Clean the Sport Berkey® Portable Water Filter
The Sport Berkey® Portable Water Filter bottle is convenient and provides on-demand water filtration for your commute, as part of an emergency kit, during recreational activities, or for everyday hydration! The Sport Berkey® has a shelf life of 50 years. When not in use for an extended period of time, use the following steps to […]
Technical Information on the Original Berkey Shower Filter
We recently received some technical questions about the original Berkey Shower Filter and so we thought we’d share this information with you. The following was provided by the manufacturer of the Berkey products New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. @ berkeywater.com: TECHNICAL INFORMATION In the shower environment, chlorine can either be in liquid or gas state. At higher […]
4 Principles of Preparation from the Texas Freeze
The week-long freeze from just over one month ago here in Houston was a wake-up call for millions. But, the wake-up call wasn’t limited to those living in Houston, it affected millions of Texans throughout the state! My family experienced only minor inconveniences such as a few hours without electricity over three days. Many of […]
A Most Important Item in Your Preps: Water
One of the most important items that we have in our preparations is often the least talked about. I have always known the importance of water but when I first became active in the area of emergency preparedness, I was more consumed with other things. I guess you could call them the “cool tools,” such […]
Is it normal for my Berkey system to not drain all the way?
The short answer to this question is yes. It is completely normal, in fact, your Berkey® system is not designed to fully drain from the top chamber once it reaches the bottom plastic base of the Black Berkey® Elements. It really is all about “head pressure.” Think of it this way: When the top chamber […]
What are the Berkey® Blocking Plugs made of?
Historically, official Berkey® blocking plugs have come in three different varieties. The materials vary, however, they have all been made of food safe materials. Effective this year (2021), all Berkey stainless steel systems and the Berkey Light system will come with the off-white plugs below. Here they are: (To be discontinued in 2021) Black Blocking […]
FAQ: Why do I see white floating things in my Berkey® water when I boil or freeze it?
This is a common question from Berkey® owners who boil or freeze the water from their system. Frequently, the cause of this issue is water that is heavily mineralized, also known as hard water. The healthiest water has a higher PH level because it has less acidity. When the PH level of the purified water […]