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Archive for the ‘Berkey’ Category
What Berkey Water Can Do For You
Saturday, February 6th, 2010If you’re like most people, you’re concerned about the quality of your drinking water, but you aren’t sure what to do about it. Berkey water offers a solution that works without costing a small fortune in the process.
The Berkey water filtration system is different from other options on the market. This system is made in the United States and uses gravity to remove unwanted chemicals and contaminants from drinking water. Berkey water systems are suitable for at-home use, but are portable enough to take on the road. They are even effective at purifying untreated water, which makes them great in emergency situations or when owners are away from home.
Berkey water systems are used in homes throughout America and Canada and in some 140 different countries all over the world. Their effectiveness and unique design has also made them a favorite for relief organizations like the Red Cross. The British Royal household even uses Berkey water systems.
There are many reasons why Berkey is a great investment in personal health and safety. The top reasons why Berkey water is a solid choice are:
The Health Benefits – Berkey water systems remove the bad things in water without impacting the good. These systems are superior to other filtration devices because they get rid of pathogenic bacteria, cysts, unhealthy chemical contaminants and even parasites. They are effective to levels higher than 99.99 percent on many chemicals. Berkey systems are even effective at reducing fluoride and arsenic found in water. When Berkey water filters are used, they will not remove the vital minerals found in water that bodies need to maintain healthy and thrive.
The Affordability Factor – Some filtration systems can cost a small fortune to purchase and operate. While Berkey water does require an upfront investment, it’s one that can pay off quickly. Berkey water offers a fantastic return on investment. Each Black Berkey Water Filter, for example, will last up to 3,000 gallons or 6,000 gallons for a set of two. This lifespan is a great deal longer than most other water filtering systems available today. At an estimated 10 gallons of water a week, the Berkey water system will provide more than 11.5 years of use. This equates to about 1.7 cents for each gallon of clean drinking water.
The Functionality – Berkey water systems do not require electricity to function and they are completely portable. Berkey systems can purify both standard city tap water and also untreated, raw water from sources like streams, stagnant ponds and lakes. The micro-pores found within the self-sterilizing and re-cleanable Black Berkey water purification elements are so tiny that bacteria and other contaminants simply cannot pass through them. Because Berkey water filtration systems don’t need electricity, they are ideal for use in emergency situations. They are also great to take along on camping trips and treks outside of the country.
Choosing a water purification system can be a confusing task. When functionality, return on investment and reliability are desired, Berkey water is the clear choice.
Berkey Home Water Filters - Higher Quality for Less Money
Saturday, November 7th, 2009The general public is slowly beginning to understand that our water supply has been compromised. Whether it be our well water that is being affected by general pollution, or our municipal water that is being heavily treated with disinfectants, our water is not as pure and pristine as we would hope. In response, much of the population has turned to bottled water and home water filters. Unfortunately, bottled water adds to pollution, it can get expensive, and in some cases is simply municipal water that’s been bottled in a city like Atlanta. When it comes to home water filters, all water filter systems are not created equal. Many of the most popular water filters on the market remove or reduce some chemicals and contaminants, but leave gaping holes for other contaminants to pass through to our drinking glass. As I mentioned in my last home water filter post, I will be evaluating many of the other water filter solutions on the market over the next couple months, but would like to begin this journey comparing the berkey water filter against the models; Aquasana, Pur, and Brita. We’ll call them the big three.
The High Quality of the Black Berkey Filter
It seems nowadays health is a topic of conversation on everybody’s mind. The nutritional supplement and organic foods markets continue to grow by double digits year over year and is a testament to the customer’s search for higher quality and better health. Water filtration seems to be slightly behind this awareness curve and is most likely due in large part to the public just recently coming to terms with what’s really happening with our water supply. Just turn on the TV or go out on the internet and you’ll see some other type of contaminant or chemical that’s now being found in our drinking water.
The big three of Pur, Aquasana, and Brita are decent at filtering out some of the more well known disinfectants such as chlorine, but they do so only at ranges between 96-99%. Comparably, berkey water filters remove chlorine to beyond detectable levels. The Berkey also reduces heavy metals such as aluminum and lead, removes pathogenic bacteria and E-coli, nitrates and nitrites, and radon. The other water filters fail to address these contaminants and instead pass them through to your drinking glass completely. Even when it comes to very dangerous VOC’s and THM’s, that have been shown to have correlations to increases in illnesses such as cancer, only Aquasana and Pur have some impact at the 98-99% level. Yet these levels are well below the reduction levels of the Berkey which reduces both VOC’s and THM’s to beyond detectable limits. Finally, it’s important to note that one of the fastest growing water concerns of the public is the fluoridation, or the addition of fluoride, to our municipal water supplies. Again, none of the big three water filters address fluoride. Conversely, Berkey systems have an add-on filter option for the black berkey filter elements called the PF-2 filter that specifically targets both fluoride and arsenic to reduce it by over 99.75%.
Save Money When You Buy a Berkey Home Water Filter
I don’t think there’s anyone in the US or Canada that hasn’t been impacted by the economic depression. It’s been a tough couple years, and while wall street and the government talk about a recovery underway, many of us on main street simply don’t see it. Every decision we make needs to be one that maximizes that value of our hard earned dollar. That leaves many of us spending our time trying to determine how to get the highest quality the for the least amount of money. When it comes to water filtration, if you start to do the math, Aquasana, Pur, and Brita are simply not the most cost effective. A one-time investment in a standard Berkey home water filter such as the Berkey Light or the Big Berkey will cost the consumer $209 or $250 respectively, and provide at least 5 years of high quality filtration. Comparably, the big three require many filter replacements across this 5 year period and result in a total cost ranging between $560 and $658. That’s more than twice the cost for inferior water filtration. Even when the Berkey secondary fluoride filters are added on, the black berkey / PF-2 combination is still cheaper. (chart below) Addt’l details can be found at berkey home water filters comparison chart.
| Model | Big Berkey w/ 2 BB (Black Berkey Filters) | Big Berkey w/ 2 CF (Ceramic Filters) | PF-2 Fluoride and Arsenic Filters (For use w/ Black Berkey Filter | PF-4 Fluoride and Arsenic Filters (For use with Ceramic Filters) | Aquasana Countertop (AQ-4000) | Pur 3 Stage Faucet Filter (FM9700) | Brita Faucet Filter w/ advanced features | Brita Pitcher Filter | |
| 1st Yr Cost 2 | $250 | $250 | $55 | $95 | $170 | $190 | $170 | $177 | |
| 2nd Yr Cost | $0 | $0 | $55 | $95 | $78 | $156 | $156 | $160 | |
| 3rd Yr Cost | $0 | $0 | $0 | $95 | $156 | $156 | $156 | $160 | |
| 4th Yr Cost | $0 | $0 | $55 | $95 | $156 | $156 | $156 | $160 | |
| 5th Yr Cost | $0 | $0 | $55 | $95 | $156 | $156 | $156 | $160 | |
| 5 Year Total Investment | $250 | $250 | $220 | $475 | $560 | $658 | $638 | $657 |
Making choices that affect the health of you and your family are some of the most important choices that you can ever make. Berkey water filters are considered one of the highest quality filtration systems on the market, and they’ll save you money while providing you the healthy drinking water your family needs. To learn more about which water filter system will suit you best, please read this article on how to choose a berkey filter system.
Introducing the New Go Berkey Kit
Saturday, September 19th, 2009It’s been a few years since a new Berkey Filter System had been launched, but this week we have the release of the New Go Berkey Kit. This kit includes a new small and compact stainless steel housing that comes with 1 Black Berkey Element, 1 Sport Berkey Bottle, and a Vinyl carrying case. This water filter system becomes the smallest of the line-up with a volume of 1 Quart. It’s perfect for our customers who are looking for the highest quality in filtration in a small compact form that can be carried in a backpack, suitcase, or even a laptop bag.
The New Go Berkey Kit
Go Berkey Kit Specifications
- Kit Includes = Compact Berkey System w/ 1 Black Berkey (details below), 1 Sport Berkey Bottle, and Vinyl Carrying Case(w/ pockets)
- System Storage Capacity = 1 Quart (.95 Liters / .25 Gallons)
- System Height = 14″
- System Diameter = 4″
- System Weight = 2.4 lbs
- Life of Black Berky Filter = 3000 Gallons
- Portability = The upper chamber nests within the lower chamber for transport and stands only 10″ in height
- Flow Rate = Configured with 1 Black Berkey Element, the system can purify one gallon per hour with the upper chamber full the entire time
Review of The Go Berkey Kit
The Go Berkey Kit provides a long-awaited solution for many of our “on the go” customers. The sport berkey bottle is great for hiking or backpacking, and the new Berkey system allows for a personal continuous passive filtration setup at base camp. For those who travel often, this lightweight and portable system can be used in the car, hotel room, or remote office. The Go Berkey Kit is also valuable for vacation destinations where the bacteria in the water is known to be disruptive to non-natives. No matter how it’s used, it’s apparent that this new Go Berkey will be welcomed in many environments.
Customers must keep in mind that this is only a 1 Qt (,95 Liters/ .25 Gallons) system and would support only one person on a daily basis. However, keeping that upper chamber full the entire time will result in 1 gallon/hour. In the event of an emergency or disaster, this would be sufficient to support a 2-3 individuals over an extended period of time.
Help Me Choose a Berkey Filter System
Wednesday, August 5th, 2009In this article we’re going to walk you through 4 easy steps to help you choose the perfect Berkey Filter System to fit your needs.
Step 1: Understanding the Berkey Gravity Filtration System
Berkey filter systems take advantage of the extended time each water droplet is in contact with the filters and thus are able to achieve high performance filtration results that many other systems simply cannot match. These are countertop systems only, starting from the smallest 1.5 gallon size housing to the largest at 6 Gallons. The internal filtration elements like the black berkeys and the PF-2’s work in any of the system housing models we sell, allowing you to achieve the same desired filtration results for each size.
There are 6 system sizes in total (below), and all systems come standard with 2 upper chamber filters. Larger systems have the capacity to utilize more filters thus increasing the speed of filtration. (See Flow Rate @ Full Expansion)
| System | Holding Capacity | Fully Expanded | Flow Rate @ Full Expansion |
| Travel Berkey | ~ 1.5 Gallons | 2 Elements(Filters) | ~ 2.75 Gallons / Hr |
| Berkey Light | ~ 2.75 Gallons | 2 Elements(Filters) | ~ 4.25 Gallons / Hr |
| Big Berkey | ~ 2.25 Gallons | 4 Elements(Filters) | ~ 7.0 Gallons / Hr |
| Royal Berkey | ~ 3.25 Gallons | 4 Elements(Filters) | ~ 8.0 Gallons / Hr |
| Imperial Berkey | ~ 4.5 Gallons | 6 Elements(Filters) | ~ 16.5 Gallons / Hr |
| Crown Berkey | ~ 6.0 Gallons | 8 Elements(Filters) | ~ 26.0 Gallons / Hr |
Step 2: Choosing a Berkey Size
The golden rule for choosing a size is that bigger is usually better if you have the room for it. Put simply, the larger the system, the less often you need to fill it, which ultimately translates into convenience. In addition, the higher water volume in the upper chamber increases the pressure that is placed on the water helping to push it through the filters faster. The differences in cost between the various housing sizes is nominal when you consider that you will be using the same housing for 10-20+ years.
Here are some sizing guidelines:
Travel Berkey ~ 1-2 ppl
Big Berkey ~ 1-3 ppl
Berkey Light ~ 1-4 ppl
Royal Berkey ~ 2-5 ppl
Imperial Berkey ~ 4-8+ ppl
Crown Berkey ~ 6-12+ ppl
Step 3: Choosing Your Berkey Filters
Upper Chamber Filters
As mentioned above, all systems require 2 upper chamber filters standard to operate. Increasing the amount of filters utilized in the upper chamber will not improve filtration quality, but will increase filtration speed and the volume of water that can be filtered. For example, increasing from 2 to 4 filters will approximately double your filtration speed and double the amount of volume that can be filtered; 6000 total gallons to 12000 total gallons.
You can choose either Black Berkey Elements or Super Sterasyl Ceramic Filters for your upper chamber filters. These filters are comparable in terms of cleaning, volume of water they filter, and price. However, the Black Berkeys, being a newer design, are able to filter everything the ceramics do, in addition to removing Lead and MTBE’s. The Black Berkey’s also meet ANSI/NSF log 7 specifications as water purifiers and show off their prowess by being able to remove food coloring from water. Read this article for more information on the differences between the black berkey elements and ceramic filters.
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- Black Berkey’s and SS Ceramic Filters last approx 6000 gallons for a set of 2
Lower Chamber Filters
The lower chamber filters are referred to as PF filters. PF = Post Filtration. There are 2 types of PF filters. The PF-2’s are specifically designed to work with the black berkeys, and the PF-4’s are designed specifically to work with the ceramic filters. The PF filters are easily installed by screwing them onto the stem of upper chamber elements so that they hang upside down in the lower chamber of the Berkey.
PF filters are optional. If your municipality adds fluoride to your water, or you are concerned about arsenic seepage into your well, then the PF-2 Filters as an add-on to your black berkeys are what you’re looking for. PF-4 Filters also remove fluoride and arsenic in addition to other chemicals that the upper chamber ceramics do not remove.
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- PF-2 Fiters last 1000 Gallons or 2 Years, whichever comes first
- PF-4 Filters last 6 months
Step 4: Understanding the Berkey Assembly
Watch this video of the Big Berkey
Begin Choosing Your Berkey Filter System HERE
The Difference Between Black Berkeys and Ceramic Filters - A Quick History and Comparison
Thursday, April 30th, 2009To understand the differences between the Super Sterasyl Ceramic filter and the Black Berkey purification element, it helps to have a brief history on the evolution of the business. Essentially, the Super Sterasyl filters are an evolution of ceramic filter technology originally discovered in 1827 by Henry Doulton in Britain. Over the years, the Doulton company made noteworthy improvements upon the ceramic filters by introducing methods for bacteria removal and self sterilization. Once these improvements were incorporated, gravity filters became heavily used by military forces, relief organizations, and missionaries who lacked access to clean water. The general public also took note and the Doulton company built it’s core business around this Super Sterysyl Ceramic filter technology. Eventually In 1985, British Berkefeld was acquired by Doulton and continues to sell these ceramic filters across the world to this day.
Through a distribution partnership with Berkefeld, the US based company New Millennium Concepts gave North American residents the opportunity to purchase the Super Sterysyl Ceramic filter product locally. New Millennium Concepts then built upon this filtration franchise by designing and creating the Black Berkey Element and expanding the lineup of Berkey housing systems and accessories. Designed over a decade ago, the Black Berkey is a proprietary combination of approximately 6 different types of media designed to take filtration to the next level. They exceed EPA log 7 ANSI / NSF protocols for filtration and thus are rated as water purifiers.
Without going into too much detail, from a filtration perspective the Black Berkey’s filter out the same chemicals and contaminants that the Super Sterasyl Ceramic Filters do, but go above and beyond by removing Lead, MTBE’s, and other heavy metals. In addition, since the Black Berkey’s are water purifiers, they will filter out a contaminant like Chlorine to undetectable levels, while the ceramics will only remove > 90% of Chlorine.
The Black Berkeys and the Ceramics are basically the same in terms of life span, cleaning, price, and overall day to day use. While both filters are very durable, the ceramics have a slight edge and may benefit missionaries or those who expect to place daily physical wear and tear on the filter when breaking down the system for transport. In essence, both filters are outstanding performers with a long proven track record and tens of thousands of satisfied customers, however the Black Berkeys are more comprehensive in the array of contaminants addressed and have an advantage in their ability to remove some of these contaminants to a higher percentage.
It’s important to note that if you already own the Ceramics and are looking to address some of these missed contaminants like Lead and MTBE’s, the PF-4’s will remove this in addition to growing public concerns like Fluoride and Arsenic. Along those same lines, if you own or are considering purchasing the Black Berkeys and would like to remove Fluoride and Arsenic, choosing the PF-2’s as an add-on will accomplish this goal. To learn more about other configuration aspects of Berkey filters, please read my article, Intro to Berkey Water Filters 101.
Intro to Berkey Water Filters - 101
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009Sometimes you just need a 5 minute overview to quickly get you up to speed on a particular subject. Below, please find what I consider to be the top 10 basics of berkey water filter systems.
- There are 7 berkey water filter housing models all using the same internal filters. Starting from lowest in price and working our way up; Berkey Light, Travel Berkey, Big Berkey, Berkey Light w/ LED, Royal Berkey, Imperial Berkey, Crown Berkey. The Berkey Light and Travel Berkey are classified as outdoor filter systems, while the remaining are classified as indoor systems.
- There are 2 types of upper chamber filters; Black Berkey’s and Super Sterasyl Ceramics (7″ and 9″). More filters in the upper chamber results in faster filtration.
- Ceramics are a tried and true filter with over 100 years of history behind them. The Black Berkey’s are a newer composite of over 6 types of media meant to take filtration to the next level and are rated as a water purifier. Black Berkey’s remove everything Ceramic Filters do, yet go one step further by filtering out MTBE’s, Lead and other heavy metals.
- There are 2 types of lower chamber filters (PF=Post Filtration); PF-2 and PF-4. Fluoride is a primary target for these filters. PF-2’s function with Black Berkey’s, and PF-4’s function with Ceramics.
- Total system weight ranges between 6 and 13 pounds. Total system volume ranges between 1.5 and 6 gallons.
- Black Berkey and Ceramic Filters last 6000 gallons for a set of 2. PF-2’s last 1000 gallons for a set of 2. PF-4’s are to be replaced every 6 months.
- The average cost per gallon of Berkey Water is 1.7 cents.
- Systems assemble in approximately 5-10 minutes. Housing cleaning is easy with regular soap and water. Scotchbrite pads clean both the Black Berkeys and the Ceramics.
- Berkey Customer service is supported by both BigBerkeyWaterFilters.com and the manufacturer, New Millenium Concepts LTD.
- Berkey Systems are covered by a 6 months manufacturers warranty and Black Berkey’s are covered by a 2 year prorated manufacturers warranty.
Go Outdoors With Your Portable Berkey Water Filter!
Thursday, February 26th, 2009It’s no secret that a major selling point of Berkey water purifiers is it’s portable design. A high quality water filter that you can pick up and carry is a benefit other filtration systems on the market are simply not able to duplicate. And let’s not forget the sidekick of these systems, the Berkey sport bottle, which customers enjoy as a free item with any system purchase. Today, I’d like to illustrate the ways many customers are taking advantage of these Berkey products outside of their home and how you can do the same!
The Portable Berkey Filter System
While Berkey filter systems are officially labeled as either an indoor or outdoor system, all of these systems possess the ability to be used in both environments. The “official” outdoor systems; the Travel Berkey and the Berkey light, are the smallest and lightest of the lineup, however the other four systems; the Big Berkey, Royal Berkey, Imperial Berkey, and the Crown Berkey, work just as well outdoors. In fact, where bigger groups of people are involved, a larger system is many times the better choice.
What's missing in this picture?
Outdoor Uses for the Berkey Filter System
- Base Camps / Camping: Camping for more than one day? Having a large system can fulfill needs such as cooking, drinking, brushing your teeth, cleaning/washing your body, and flushing/cleaning wounds.
- Freshwater Boating: Don’t want to install an expensive boat filtration system or tired of dragging bottles of water around? Simply take an empty system with you. When drinking water is needed, scoop water off the side of your boat and pour into the upper chamber. Within 15-30 minutes drinking water is available to all those on board. (Please, no salt water.)
- RV’s: Don’t trust the potable water source at the RV site, or there’s none available? Berkey filters work great as a primary or backup system for your travels. In addition, similar to boats, these filters provide a much lower cost alternative to the full filtration systems.
- Back Country Cabins: Having running water in a back country cabin is many times a luxury. With a Berkey, find a source of water nearby and fill ‘er up. Also, try using rain water.
- Hunting Trips: Similar to camping, many hunters go on trips for days at a time and require a base camp filtration system. Having a light and portable system is a nice feature when setting up and breaking down in quick turnaround is a high priority.
- Recreation Fields: Want to cut down on your carbon footprint? Berkey systems come in handy at children or adult sporting events like the soccer, softball, football and baseball fields as long as a hose or another practical water source is available.
In all the situations listed above, the Berkey water filter systems were easily broken down and transported. They weigh between 8 and 13 pounds and the upper-chamber of the stainless steel system is designed to fit into the lower chamber for transport. Not to mention, they are easy to clean and durable.
The Portable Sport Berkey Filter
The sport bottle is also another great example of the portable berkey water filter in action. Why pay $50 to $100 dollars for a portable hiking filter when you can get one that performs just as well for $28. At 22 ounces and weighing less than 1 pound, the sport Berkey bottle is lightweight and easy to use. No pumps, or breakdowns to worry about either. When encountering a lake, pond, or stream, just fill up and start drinking.
Great for long biking trips!
Outdoor Uses for the Sport Berkey
- Hiking: Going for a day-hike but don’t want to lug bottles of water with you, or the camelbak is simply not going to be enough? As long as you know you’ll be encountering a water source at some point, you’re all set!
- Mountain Biking: Mountain bikers are all too familiar with the high demand for water that this activity requires. Attach it to your camelbak as a backup!
- Horseback Riding: Similar to mountain biking and allows for some flexibility for the rider to carry other items.
- The Gym: Don’t trust the gym water or simply don’t like the taste? Fill that sport bottle up at the water fountain and squeeze filtered water into your mouth between exercises. It’s as simple as that.
The Dangers of Fluoride - The Great Debate
Saturday, February 14th, 2009I sometimes wonder what percentage of the population is aware of the ongoing fluoride debate. There’s absolutely a growing voice of dissent over municipal water fluoridation, but how familiar is the everyday citizen? I know that a good majority of my friends and family are not aware of it. I’ve never heard it brought up on any major news television programs like 20/20 or Dateline. It seems the majority of discussion is coming from radio programming, local news stations, activist groups, and some select scientific community organizations.
Just last month, I had the privilege to catch an in depth conversation on the subject. It occurred on one of my favorites programs; Coast to Coast AM w/ George Noory, where Director of the Fluoride Action Network, Paul Connett and leading dentist in the fight against fluoride, Dr. Bill Osmunson dug into the issue for 3 hours. Here are some clips from the show.
- Pt. 1: Fluoridation Problems - 7.0 Mins
- Pt. 2: Risks and Issues - 8.5 Mins
- Pt. 3: Water and the Fluoride Gamble - 8.5 Mins
If you’re interested in the full show, e-mail me at dan@bigberkeywaterfilters.com. In the meantime, below are some high level basic facts and information on the subject of fluoridation.
What’s the Debate?
Adding fluoride to the public water systems, otherwise known as fluoridation, has occurred for more than 60 years in the United States. Given this basic historical fact, the immediate question that comes to many peoples mind when they are confronted with the debate is;
“If fluoridation is so bad for us, wouldn’t we already have figured it out? Wouldn’t there be mountains of evidence to illustrate the toxic effects?”
Opponents claim that this evidence does exist, and that much of the scientific and government community simply fail to acknowledge it. It’s curiously regarded as a combination of sticking one’s head in the sand along with a fear of taking a stand against conventional baked-in thinking. Among other statistics, defenders retort that the evidence for fluoride benefits is proven by US general population tooth decay reductions in the order of 50-60% since WWII. This statistic is one of the most controversial as these same reductions, over the same time periods, are shown in countries that have never engaged in water fluoridation.
Where Does Fluoride Come From?
Sodium fluoride, used in fluoridation, is a hazardous-waste by-product from the manufacture of aluminum. It is a common ingredient in rat and cockroach poisons, anesthetics, hypnotics, psychiatric drugs, and military nerve gas. Fluoride is more toxic than aluminum and studies have shown that fluoride consumption increases the body absorption rate of aluminum by 600%. There are, however, controls set in place to manage this risk. The EPA has maximum water fluoridation levels set at 1 ppm (part per million) and every day many of us are given the opportunity to read a warning on the back of our fluoride toothpaste:
“Keep toothpaste out of the reach of children under 6. If swallowed get medical help or contact poison control center right away.”
But, are these controls enough to protect the general population to the serious downside risks?
Harmful Effects of Fluoride
What is not up for debate is that fluoride harms bones, causes stiff joints, encourages skeletal abnormalities, raises the risk of cancer, results in genetic damage, can damage the thyroid, and hampers nervous system function in humans. Opponents of fluoridation have a real cause for concern given that fluoride acts as a cumulative poison gradually and increasingly affecting the body over long periods of exposure. As a result, potential toxicity becomes a function on how much water is consumed on a daily basis, the individual’s body weight, and the body’s ability to filter and eliminate the chemical. These are wide margin variables that may allow a relatively large percentage of the population to fall into a toxic range over time.
Recently, there has been government studies that attest to fluoridation dangers. In 2005, a CDC study showed irreversible enamel fluorosis in 1 out of 3 children. Then in 2007, the ADA warned parents not to mix baby formula with tap water in the first 12 months of development so as to avoid fluoride intake. Just recently in June of 2008, the National Kidney Foundation stated the kidney disease patients should be notified of the potential risks of exposure to fluoride. Unfortunately, many individuals with thyroid disease and other ailments have been complaining about fluoridation without an official government response.
Inherent Problems with Fluoridation
Each year our scientists are getting better at understanding the toxic implications of fluoride, and one point is glaringly obvious. With water fluoridation, you cannot control the dose ingested, both children and adults are treated with similar doses, and unless the public filters their water, they cannot opt out of this mass medication. Regardless of where one stands, it’s apparent that legitimate scientific data is challenging the entrenched “all benefits and no-risk” philosophy of water fluoridation, and all parties must openly and fairly revisit this practice.
To see if you may be drinking fluoridated water, you can start here: CDC Fluoridation Status. In the meantime, for those who are concerned, Berkey makes a highly regarded and very popular fluoride filter that works in any berkey filter system. The PF-2 Fluoride/Arsenic Filters are to be used in conjunction with the Black Berkeys. The PF-4 Fluoride Filters are to be used with the ceramic filters. More information on various system setups can be found here.
Priming Your Black Berkey Filter For Use or Storage
Saturday, January 31st, 2009Before one can enjoy the first sips from their newly purchased berkey water filter, any system using Black Berkey Purification Elements must be primed to prepare the filters for use. Fortunately, it only takes a few minutes to do and is rather easy and straightforward.
“But, what if I am only buying the black berkey filters as a backup set for the future? Once I receive them, can’t I just throw them in the cabinet and forget about them?”
The answer to that question is no if you want to take advantage of the 2 year manufacturer warranty. Priming before storage will allow you to test the black berkey and verify that there are no defects with the product. This is extremely important because the clock on the warranty starts ticking upon date of receipt. If one just threw it into the closet and took it out 3 years later, only to find problems with the filter, it would be out of warranty. Even though there is a small chance of product defect, going through the priming exercise up front helps protect your future investment.
Priming you Black Berkey Filter
Whether you are using a Berkey Light, a Royal Berkey, or any of the other Berkey systems that utilize the Black Berkey purification element, priming is required due to the extremely small pores that make up the filter. These elements need to have water forced through them to clear the air that has been trapped inside the micro fine pores during production. Begin by opening up your black berkey box and verify that each element has a rubber washer and a wing nut attached to it. Also inside the box you’ll find your priming button, a tan rubber washer. It will be thicker than the element washer with a smaller center hole. See Figure 1.
Figure 1 - Black Berkey with Tan Priming Button
Now, follow the 5 steps of the priming process below (also shown in Figure 3 Diagram) :
- Start by pressing the tan priming button onto the stem of the black berkey purification element with the small end facing the element.
- Place the stem of the Black Berkey element between your fingers and press the large end of the priming button against the faucet. (see Figure 2)
- While holding the priming button against the faucet, turn on the cold water gently, and allow the water to fill the cavity of the purification element. (see Figure 2)
- Allow the exterior of the Black Berkey element to sweat beads of water for about 5 seconds.
- Follow this process for each element you intend to prime and they will ready for everyday use.
Figure 2 - Place Your Black Berkey Up to Your Faucet for Priming
Figure 3 - Black Berkey Priming Diagram
Storage of your Black Berkey Purification Element
Now that your Black Berkey’s are primed, you may either install them into your system and drink away, or you may store them for future use. If storing, the most critical issue to monitor is that the filters are allowed to fully dry out.
Follow these basic guidelines for storage after priming:
- Use a dry cloth to remove any excess water from the filters
- Air dry the filters by laying them out on a cloth on a window sill with good sun exposure. Preferably, this area should be well ventilated
- Turn the at least once a day to ensure they are being evenly dried.
- After approximately 2.5-3 weeks, the black berkey elements should be fully dry. If sun is not available, please place in warmer parts of your home and allow for longer dry out times.
- Once fully dry, place you black berkeys in a container or plastic bag that protects them from moisture. Vacuum sealed is preferred.
- These filters are now prepped and ready for use when needed.
Following the above steps for priming and storage ensures that you utilize the black berkey elements in the way they were intended and provides a method for you to protect your future investment. Proper storage gives you the ability to guarantee yourself years worth of clean drinking water with the ease of being able to install them directly into your system immediately when needed. This is another benefit that many other filtration systems cannot reproduce and speaks to inherent versatility and quality of the Berkey Filter Line.
Berkey Light Filters and Bisphenol A - BPA
Saturday, December 6th, 2008Recently there’s been some customer concern regarding the Berkey Light product and the potential for Bisphenol A to leech from the plastic into the filtered water. This is a valid concern that’s been brought upon by recent studies linking BPA exposure to possible breast cancer, prostate cancer, and other health problems. According to research, BPA mimics naturally occurring estrogen, a hormone that is part of the endocrine system, the body’s finely tuned messaging service. While there is much controversy over accurately assessing and quantifying this risk, many consumers are now making a conscious effort to avoid the toxin altogether. In light of this, Berkey customers will be happy to learn that the Berkey Light went BPA free in 2008.
Why the Concern with the Berkey Light?
Prior to 2008, Berkey Lights were historically constructed of Lexan plastic to take advantage of the high durability and strength that this plastic possesses. Lexan is made by reacting Bisphenol A with carbonyl chloride, also known as phosgene. Studies showed that in some occasions the leeching of BPA can occur from polycarbonates like Lexan into the containing fluid when either exposed to high strength industrial grade alkaline detergents or when they are repeatedly exposed to temperatures in excess of 192 degrees Fahrenheit (over 88 degrees Celsius). As far as what the Berkey Light was built for, along with the stated care instructions, these situations would not and should not occur. Regardless, the knowledge that the Berkey Light was made of a Lexan plastic known to contain the chemical BPA brought this highly regarded berkey product into the controversial discussion raising some questions and concerns.
Why The Transition to a Copolyester Then?
To alleviate the concerns of customers, New Millenium Concepts Ltd. decided to change the Berkey Light plastic to a new copolyester in early 2008. This new copolyster is BPA free, highly durable and dishwasher safe, in addition to being stain, scratch, and odor resistant. While the Lexan Berkey Light is considered to be of no risk of leeching BPA’s, NMCL recognizes that their customer base is very health conscious and a change in production materials would be beneficial to all parties. This move away from BPA plastics is a growing market trend and NMCL is one of the early adopter companies, Eastman being another example, that have made the transition to Copolyester.
Older Berkey Light Models
For customers who already own the Berkey Light, you can determine the makeup of your system by looking at the date stamp on the bottom of either of the 2 canisters. There should be a circle of numbers labeled 1-10 with a 2-digit number in the middle. The 2 digit number in the middle is the year of production and it will have an arrow pointing to the outer circle. The outer circle numbers represent the plastic recycle code. If it points to a 6 or higher with an “08″ in the middle you possess the new BPA free Copolyester. Any year prior and you possess a Lexan Berkey Light.
It’s important to reiterate that simply because you have a 2007 or earlier Lexan built Berkey Light does not mean that you are at risk of BPA leeching into your water. There is simply a great deal of misinformation on how BPA leeches from various types of plastic confusing much of the general public as to their level of risk exposure. The value that a Berkey system possesses from everything to water purification to emergency preparation is priceless and excuse the pun, but should not be watered down by confusion.