Berkey Water filters are capable of removing more than 200 common drinking water contaminants and are pretty powerful as home water filter systems go. Black Berkey filter elements, the filter media that essentially forms the heart of a Berkey system, employs a combination of different filtration technologies consisting of micropores that allow water to pass through but trap contaminants, as well as activated carbon and other innovative materials which have adsorption and ion exchange properties that draw viruses and other contaminants to the media. It's clear that Berkey Water Filters have a lot to offer, but there are some limitations.

Higher Price Tag

One drawback that often puts people off buying a Berkey is the high upfront cost of purchasing a Berkey system compared to other cheaper water filters available on the market. However, while the Berkey is not a cheap system, you need to consider the outlay as an investment in your health and that of your family. You also need to compare the long-term running costs of each system.

Cheaper filters typically use disposable filter cartridges that have to be replaced regularly. The Berkey, on the other hand, is very economical over the long-term as a set of two filter elements will filter approximately 6000 gallons of water before needing to be replaced. So even while the initial purchase cost may be high, the Berkey ends up saving you quite a lot of money in the long run.

Needs to be Filled Regularly

As the Berkey is a free-standing countertop system that is not attached to a faucet or fitted in-line, you will need to manually fill it up to keep enjoying a steady supply of filtered water. This really isn't a tedious chore, but one does need to remember to do so regularly to ensure filtered water is available on tap.

Slow Filtration Rate

A common complaint with gravity filters, including the Berkey, is the time it takes for water to filter through to the storage chamber. Gravity filters rely on gravity rather than water pressure to draw water through the filter elements, which is much slower than filtration systems that work on water pressure. However, there are some benefits to this. Since the contaminants are not forced through the filter elements but remain in contact with the filter elements for longer, the filters are more effective at removing them. This results in higher quality water.

If you have limited patience to wait for water to trickle through, just refill our system before bed, and ensure it is kept topped up as you use it. You can also speed up the filtration process by adding additional filter elements if your system allows.

Can Take up Counter Space

Being a countertop gravity water filter means that it has to sit on your kitchen counter. If you have limited space in your kitchen, this could be a problem. Also, if you have kitchen cabinets above your countertops you may limited to what size Berkey you can fit in the space between. Some of the larger Berkey systems may be too tall to fit under kitchen cabinets, so bear that in mind when choosing your system.

Spigot Needs to Hang Over Counter

In order to be able put a glass under the spout of a Berkey, it needs to hang over the edge of the kitchen counter. This may result in a lot of wasted counter space behind the filter. If this is a problem, you can purchase a stand for your Berkey, which will elevate it, making it more accessible from the counter.

While the pros of owning a Berkey far outweigh the cons, understanding what the limitations and drawbacks are can help guide your with your purchasing decision and help you select a system that best meets your needs.