An Article we wrote on Berkey Water filters

[theberkeyguy]

By J.G. – What is in the Water your drinking?

Water is an essential part of our lives, and we should be drinking it all the time. We use it when showering, watering our grass and gardens, and in so many other ways. Most people probably don’t know what is in their water, and also may not be prepared to have water in an emergency, or in a time of natural disasters. Most of us take if for granted, but there are a growing number of people who question what is in their water, and they want to make sure it is filtered or purified.

Some of the bacteria that may be in our water include E. coli and Giardia, which have been found at high levels in many sources of water throughout the USA. The water we drink can also contain high amounts of Chlorine, and heavy metals which can affect our kidneys and central nervous system. Unfortunately chlorine is used in high amounts because water is recycled in a lot of municipal water sources.

Also, Water Fluoridation is a highly debated topic not just online, but throughout the world. A good source of information on the history of water fluoridation can be found in the book “The Fluoride Deception” by Christopher Bryson. I highly recommend reading this book. The book details the history of just how and why fluoride was introduced to the public over 60 years ago, and how scientists falsified information and studies to make fluoride seem as though it was great for your teeth. www.fluoridealert.org is also a great resource on fluoride and its harmful affects on the body.

We need to be aware of these contaminants in our water, and know how to remove them from our water sources not only on a daily basis, but especially in an emergency. Water Purification Systems are plentiful throughout the USA, but we have found one that stands above them all. The Berkey Water Purification Systems have been tested and found to remove Chlorine, E. Coli, and many other contaminants to non-detectable levels. They not only filter the water, they purify the water. All the systems come with at least 2 Black Berkey elements, that not only keep in healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium that your body needs, but also remove or reduce pathogenic cysts, parasites, harmful or unwanted chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides, Volatile Organic Compounds, detergents, organic solvents, trihalomethanes, cloudiness, silt, sediment, nitrates, nitrites, heavy metals, foul tastes and odors. Fluoride can also be filtered out by using the PF-2 Filters in conjunction with the Black Berkey elements.

The Berkey systems only run on gravity (no electricity needed), and good for when you need to bug-out or need to filter water from a stream or lake.

All in all, we need to be more aware of what is in our water, and how to have clean and pure water not only daily, but also in an emergency.

[Dasha]

We've had our Big Berkey for three years now. We love the taste of the water and the knowledge that we can have drinking water no matter what happens in the future, providing that we can get water out of ditches, streams, lakes... and filter it through our Berkey. We try to encourage everyone that we know to buy one.

I have a question. How do we know when to change the filters? We have been using the same two filters for three years for four people - big water drinkers. Lately I've noticed that it doesn't take long after I've washed the filters for the filtering to slow down again. Is it time to put in new filters?

Thanks.

[theberkeyguy]

We've had our Big Berkey for three years now. We love the taste of the water and the knowledge that we can have drinking water no matter what happens in the future, providing that we can get water out of ditches, streams, lakes... and filter it through our Berkey. We try to encourage everyone that we know to buy one.

I have a question. How do we know when to change the filters? We have been using the same two filters for three years for four people - big water drinkers. Lately I've noticed that it doesn't take long after I've washed the filters for the filtering to slow down again. Is it time to put in new filters?

Thanks.

Thanks for the response, Usually we tell people to change the filters after 2-3 year or roughly 6000 gallons filtered when using 2 filters.  You can also do a food coloring test by putting a few drops on the top chamber, and it should take it out.  Also, if the water changes taste, and it has been 2-3 years, we would change the filters.

I would say its time to get another set of black berkey elements.
We have them here: http://directive21.com/accessories-black-berkey-purification-element.html

Thanks so much,
theberkeyguy

[Dasha]

Thanks berkeyguy. I have another question. We bought replacement filters when we bought the unit, but I've been wanting to buy a supply for the next ten years or so. What is the shelf life of the filters?

[theberkeyguy]

The shelf life of the Black Berkey® elements is indefinite.  In other words they will last until you need them.  We would advise however, if you intend to store them for a long period of time, that you store them in a zip-lock bag.  This is because they are powerful enough to absorb contaminants from the air, which could reduce their expected life if you have a lot of airborne contaminants in the area in which they are being stored.  A zip-lock back will prevent the above from occurring.

theberkeyguy

[JoMama]

The water we drink can also contain high amounts of Chlorine, and heavy metals which can affect our kidneys and central nervous system. Unfortunately chlorine is used in high amounts because water is recycled in a lot of municipal water sources.

Carbon filters are cheap, widely available, and effective.  But even without them, I'd take chlorine over cholera anytime (but feel free to try and compare both).

Also, Water Fluoridation is a highly debated topic not just online, but throughout the world.

It's not debated in peer reviewed journals by credible scientists whose field of expertise covers the issue.  But hey, maybe it's "a Communist conspiracy to sap and impurify all of our precious bodily fluids" *

A good source of information on the history of water fluoridation can be found in the book “The Fluoride Deception” by Christopher Bryson. I highly recommend reading this book. The book details the history of just how and why fluoride was introduced to the public over 60 years ago, and how scientists falsified information and studies to make fluoride seem as though it was great for your teeth.www.fluoridealert.org is also a great resource on fluoride and its harmful affects on the body.

You mean it's a good source of information cherry picked to support your thesis.  The anti-fluoridation movement has about as much scientific basis as the Intelligent Design one.

Oops, sorry for putting a blemish on your advertisement er I mean thread...

* http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057012/

[theberkeyguy]

Jomama,

There always has to be people like yourself.  These topics are not a joke to us, but it seems there always has to be someone who thinks people who know fluoridation is a bad idea, is a nutjob.  The book "The Fluoride Deception" is a great place to start when it comes to fluoride also.  The information is not "cherry picked" nor talks of some "Conspiracy to kill us all" theory.  The book stays away from making such claims.  If you have not read it, i would pick it up on amazon. 

I would argue that the Pro-Fluoridation people have cherry picked their info, considering the damning evidence in the book above.  Also, the people who question fluoridation do have science on their side. Do i think all the info on the Fluoride Action network is gospel truth, no, but from my studies of fluoride, its supposed "beneficial" effects on your teeth, I find them to be as one sided as can be, if not downright misleading. 

I applaud those who fight to keep fluoride out of our water systems, but i don't subscribe to all the nutty conspiracy theories behind why the fluoride is dumped in there.  I have talked to people who work for water companies that dump it in City water, and they know it is not just fluoride being put in the water, and it doesn't look healthy, nor like it is going to "whiten" your teeth.

Study on,

theberkeyguy

[Zac]

At the concentrations used by municipal water systems, fluoride is not a health hazard.  But, I think fluoride is much more effective when used topically on teeth (via toothpaste and fluoride rinses) than when consumed. 

If you're concerned, why not install a reverse osmosis water filter?  Those are the only commonly available filters that will effectively remove fluoride as well as most other dissolved contaminants. 

The Berkey filter is not a reverse osmosis filter.  The Berkey filter only removes the larger particulates and has no effect on dissolved contaminants.  The optional "Black Berkey" is just an activated charcoal filter.   The activated alumina used in their fluoride/arsenic filter cartridge is likely to add aluminum compounds to the output water. 

One easy way to test the efficiency of a filter is using a TDS (total dissolved solids meter) which is available inexpensively ($10-20).  Water filtered using reverse osmosis will read close to zero while water filtered by the Berkey and other such filters will read no differently than the input water. 

[Zac]

Also, some older Berkey (pre-2008) filters used polycarbonate (lexan) containers to hold both the input and output water.  Polycarbonate will release small amounts of BPA into the water.

And Berkey's claim to remove viruses and 99.999% of several dissolved substances is dubious at best.

Added:

It's also curious that Berkey does not release comprehensive results, but only a cherry picked version:

http://www.enerhealthbotanicals.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/berkey-lab-test-results.pdf

Examples of comprehensive test data for some reverse osmosis filters:

http://www.gewater.com/pdf/resdntl/home/merlin/1263717_Merlin_PerfDataSheet.pdf

http://www.multipureco.com/BR170RO.pdf

[Zac]

Also curious is that the Berkey filters are not listed as a certified water treatment devices in California:

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/device/Pages/WTD2009Directory.aspx

[Dasha]

Also curious is that the Berkey filters are not listed as a certified water treatment devices in California:

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/device/Pages/WTD2009Directory.aspx

Katadyn is also not on that list, but Brita and Pur are. Which water would you rather drink?

[Zac]

Also curious is that the Berkey filters are not listed as a certified water treatment devices in California:

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/device/Pages/WTD2009Directory.aspx

Katadyn is also not on that list, but Brita and Pur are. Which water would you rather drink?

I use a reverse osmosis filter at home and use a Katadyn filter for backpacking.

[Dasha]

Also curious is that the Berkey filters are not listed as a certified water treatment devices in California:

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/device/Pages/WTD2009Directory.aspx

Katadyn is also not on that list, but Brita and Pur are. Which water would you rather drink?

I use a reverse osmosis filter at home and use a Katadyn filter for backpacking.

You use a Katadyn even though it isn't on the California certified water treatment device list?

[Zac]

Also curious is that the Berkey filters are not listed as a certified water treatment devices in California:

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/device/Pages/WTD2009Directory.aspx

Katadyn is also not on that list, but Brita and Pur are. Which water would you rather drink?

I use a reverse osmosis filter at home and use a Katadyn filter for backpacking.

You use a Katadyn even though it isn't on the California certified water treatment device list?

Backpacking filters are not included on that list. 

I also am not saying that a filter not included on that list is necessarily ineffective.  But, manufacturers are required to disclose comprehensive test data to be certified and included on that list.  The certificate also species what substances the filter is effective for.  Manufacturers that have things to hide will not want to seek certification.  I don't really care if they're certified or not, but it would be helpful if they would disclose comprehensive test data, something Berkey has chosen not to do.  (presumably because that data does not look good for them and would show their filter is only effective for removing particulate matter)

[theberkeyguy]

At the concentrations used by municipal water systems, fluoride is not a health hazard.  But, I think fluoride is much more effective when used topically on teeth (via toothpaste and fluoride rinses) than when consumed. 

Response:
I would disagree with this statement, as fluoride levels in tap water are well over 1 ppm, which over a long period of time have been shown to have health effects, especially those with kidney problems. I would say its not a "instant" health hazard, but consumption of fluoride over time, does take its toll on our bodies.  Fluorosis is a growing problem.  I see it as a contradiction that you can apply it to your teeth, but don't swallow it, but go ahead and have babies drink it along with the general public.

If you're concerned, why not install a reverse osmosis water filter?  Those are the only commonly available filters that will effectively remove fluoride as well as most other dissolved contaminants. 

Response:
Reverse osmosis systems remove beneficial minerals from the water, and to what level do RO systems remove fluoride?  That is an important question.

The Berkey filter is not a reverse osmosis filter.  The Berkey filter only removes the larger particulates and has no effect on dissolved contaminants.  The optional "Black Berkey" is just an activated charcoal filter.   The activated alumina used in their fluoride/arsenic filter cartridge is likely to add aluminum compounds to the output water. 

Response:
The standard black berkey elements are not just activated charcoal, and do not remove just larger particles from the water.  They have been tested to remove viruses, and more testing is being done.  I am not sure where you got  your information, but it is not correct.  You are correct about a minute amount of alumina to the water, but check how much alumina is in your toothpaste, and the levels are much higher.  Alumina is a well known way to reduce the amount of fluoride in the water.

One easy way to test the efficiency of a filter is using a TDS (total dissolved solids meter) which is available inexpensively ($10-20).  Water filtered using reverse osmosis will read close to zero while water filtered by the Berkey and other such filters will read no differently than the input water. 

Response:
Here is a response to that TDS:
I did a TDS reading on the purified water and was surprised to find that the reading was about the same with the purified water as it was with the unpurified water. Is my system working properly?
Yes, a TDS meter measures only Total Dissolved Solids or minerals; dissolved solids are simply dissolved minerals in an ionic form.  A TDS meter does not measure the amount of biological and chemical contaminates.  Black Berkey® elements are designed to leave in your water the healthful and beneficial minerals and to extract only the unwanted heavy metals such as lead and mercury as well as sedimentary minerals such as iron oxide and aluminum.  Therefore, your TDS reading will not change much unless you have a significant amount of heavy metals or sedimentary minerals in your water.


I hope this information helps, and it is not meant in any way to be confrontational.

Theberkeyguy