Black Berkey filter elements reduced Microcystin LR toxin to non-detectable levels (greater than 99.7% reduction) and Microcystis algae cells by greater than 99.9999% in independent laboratory testing by BCS Laboratory, an EPA-certified, ISO 17025:2005 accredited facility. Both filter elements tested passed on both contaminants. The full lab report is available as a downloadable PDF below.
Laboratory: BCS Laboratory (EPA certified, no affiliation with NMCL)
Accreditation: ISO 17025:2005, NELAP/TNI accreditation standards
Test Dates: August 1, 2018 to August 20, 2018 (revised July 2, 2019)
Methodology: EPA-approved methods for drinking water
Elements tested: Two Black Berkey Purification Elements (A and B), tested independently
Non-Detect
Microcystin LR Toxin in effluent (both elements). Influent: 42 ppb. Result: below 0.15 ppb detection limit.
>99.9999%
Microcystis Algae reduction (Element A). Influent: 1,100,000 cells/mL. Result: below 1 cell/mL.
Full Test Results
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| Contaminant |
Element |
Influent Concentration |
Effluent Result |
% Reduction |
Result |
| Microcystin LR Toxin |
Element A |
42 ppb (ng/mL) |
<0.15 ppb (non-detect) |
>99.7% |
Pass |
| Microcystin LR Toxin |
Element B |
42 ppb (ng/mL) |
<0.15 ppb (non-detect) |
>99.7% |
Pass |
| Microcystis Algae |
Element A |
1,100,000 cells/mL |
<1 cell/mL |
>99.9999% |
Pass |
| Microcystis Algae |
Element B |
1,100,000 cells/mL |
<350 cells/mL |
>99.97% |
Pass |
Note on Microcystin LR Toxin result: The effluent result is reported as non-detect ("U" qualifier), meaning the toxin was analyzed for but not detected above the method detection limit of 0.15 ppb. The 99.7% reduction figure is the calculated minimum based on the detection limit. Actual reduction may be higher, as the true effluent concentration could not be measured below the instrument threshold.
What Is Microcystin and Why Does It Matter?
Microcystins are toxins produced by cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria are widespread in surface water and form algal blooms when warm temperatures, sunlight, and elevated nutrient levels combine. When algal blooms die or are disrupted, they release microcystin toxins into the water. These toxins can persist for weeks to months after the bloom itself has dissipated.
Microcystins are primarily hepatotoxins, meaning the liver is the primary target organ. They are also an irritant to skin, eyes, and throat on contact. The most commonly studied compound is Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), which is the compound tested in the Black Berkey lab report above.
Algal bloom events have affected major U.S. water supplies in recent years, most notably Toledo, Ohio in 2014, when the city's water supply was declared unsafe for drinking, cooking, and bathing due to microcystin contamination from Lake Erie. Bloom frequency and intensity have increased as water temperatures rise and agricultural nutrient runoff continues to feed cyanobacteria growth.
How Does Microcystin Get Into Drinking Water?
Cyanobacteria blooms form in lakes, reservoirs, and slow-moving rivers, which are common surface water sources for municipal drinking water. Standard municipal treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation, and chlorination are not reliably effective at reducing microcystin toxins, particularly when bloom concentrations are high. Toxins that pass through treatment can reach tap water at concentrations above health advisory levels.
Private well users who draw from shallow wells near affected surface water bodies face additional risk, as microcystins can leach into groundwater during bloom events.
EPA Guidance on Microcystin in Drinking Water
The EPA has issued health advisory levels for microcystins in drinking water. For adults, the advisory level is 1.6 µg/L (ppb). For children under school age (up to age 6), the advisory is 0.3 µg/L. These are not enforceable limits but represent concentration thresholds above which the EPA recommends alternative water sources.
The EPA recognizes granular activated carbon (GAC) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) as effective treatment methods for microcystin reduction. Black Berkey elements use a proprietary blend of media types including activated carbon as one of multiple filtration mechanisms, which is consistent with the EPA's identified effective treatment approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Black Berkey reduce Microcystin?
Yes. Independent testing by BCS Laboratory confirmed Black Berkey elements reduce Microcystin LR toxin to non-detectable levels, representing greater than 99.7% reduction from an influent concentration of 42 ppb. Both elements tested (A and B) passed. The full lab report is available as a downloadable PDF on the Berkey Test Results page.
Does Black Berkey reduce algae cells?
Yes. Microcystis algae cells were reduced by greater than 99.9999% on Element A (from 1,100,000 cells/mL to below 1 cell/mL) and by greater than 99.97% on Element B (to below 350 cells/mL). Both results represent a pass in independent testing.
What is the EPA health advisory level for Microcystin?
The EPA health advisory level for Microcystin in drinking water is 1.6 µg/L (ppb) for adults and 0.3 µg/L for children under age 6. These are non-enforceable advisory levels, not legal limits. At concentrations above these levels, the EPA recommends using an alternative water source. In the Black Berkey test, effluent Microcystin LR levels fell below the 0.15 ppb detection limit of the instrument, well below both advisory thresholds.
Is it safe to use a Berkey during an algal bloom advisory?
The lab data shows Black Berkey elements reduced Microcystin LR toxin to non-detectable levels and Microcystis algae by over 99.9999% in independent testing. During any declared water emergency, follow guidance from local public health authorities as the primary reference. Point-of-use filtration with independently tested elements is one component of a protective strategy.
Are Black Berkey filters still available?
Black Berkey elements are temporarily unavailable due to an EPA regulatory matter. The current in-stock replacement is the Berkey Phoenix New Millennium Edition, made by the same manufacturer, NMCL. Phoenix elements are a direct drop-in replacement for any existing Berkey system. See the Phoenix lab results page for current testing documentation.
Where can I see all Berkey filter test results?
All independent laboratory reports for Black Berkey and Phoenix filter elements are available on the Berkey Test Results page, covering inorganic contaminants, VOCs, PFAS, lead, pharmaceuticals, radiological contaminants, and more.
By
Dan DeBaun
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With cyanotoxins becoming a more common problem not only in the United States but around the world, I think there are many of us in the Berkey community that would like to see Berkey officially test the effectiveness at removing cyanotoxins. More and more communities are trying to deal with this issue. Our city in Salem, Oregon appears to be able to test for the presence of cyanotoxins and is using an in-house ELISA testing system and there is more information at https://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/water-quality-test-data.aspx. Couldn't Berkey take the next steps using this system for testing?
Thank you.
Hi Andrea -
Testing for removal of microcystin has recently been completed. <a href="https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/black-berkey-microcystin-lr-toxin-and-microcystis-algae-lab-results" rel="nofollow">Testing can be fond here</a>.
Thanks
Dan
Would you personally drink water that came from a lake with toxic algae bloom that had been through a Berky water bottle filter system? You personally, yes or no?
Hi Chelsea -
Yes, we personally would, but please do not take that as en endorsement. For liability and safety reasons, we do not recommend using the filters in any matter that has not been tested to be effective by NSF/EPA certified labs.
Thanks
DAn
Hi, I linked our current water situation because I researched the Berkey about a week ago and now wanted to know it's effectiveness for removing the Algae Blooms you are discussing here. I see there are two places our city is sending water samples to be tested with the lead time being about 1 week before our city knows if the water is safe to drink or not.
Perhaps Berkey can send their systems to these labs for testing so we can get a definitive answer as to whether their systems can truly remove the microcystins/cyanobacterial blooms? I would sure like to know, we had already decided to purchase a Berkey when we were able to come up with the money for it because we buy reverse osmosis water at the windmill already. We have never liked our city water and the chlorine smell is enough to knock me over but I am also sensitive to chemicals due to my medical conditions I have. So drinking city water is the last thing I want to do.
Anyway, please Berkey let me know if you have done any further testing regarding this type of algae bloom emergency.
Here is the city website link and below the link is copied and pasted information direct from the website regarding the algae bloom our city is experiencing right now.
http://inglesidetx.gov/do-not-drink-the-water-this-is-not-a-boil-water-notice/
In the LIMITED AREA on the map
Do Not Drink the Water
(Do NOT boil water, it will not help)
See Update below.
Due to unsafe drinking water conditions in specific streets in the North Eastern area of town, consumers are directed to Not Drink the Water. This includes making ice cubes, food preparation, brushing teeth or any other activity involving ingestion of water. This Order shall remain in effect until further notice. Also, see update below.
Areas in concern are:
Kenny Ln from Ave A to Hwy361
12th Street from Ave A to Hwy361
Indian Trail from Avenue A to Hwy361
Pinoak
Lenore
Cardinal Circle,
Kelly
Hackberry
Questions regarding this notice should be directed to:
Public Works (361)776-7409
After hours:
Donald Paty (361)443-4346
Chris Burke (361)523-9831
John Meenaghan (361)877-5250
UPDATE
01/30/2016 at 4:30 p.m.
We are working on two (2) suspect areas and the City is installing additional backflow preventers in order to isolate the source of the possible contamination. We are flushing the lines and routinely sampling in order to test the area.
We want to give a special thank you to the City of Rockport, the City of Corpus Christi, and the San Patricio Municipal Water District for their assistance in these ongoing efforts.
To sign up for Emergency and General City Notifications, please go to www.coastalbendcan.org and click on the Residents Link.
Health Effects Information for microcystins:
Effects including gastroenteritis, and liver and kidney damage have been reported in humans following short-term exposure to microcystins/cyanotoxins in drinking water. Recreational exposure to microcystins/cyanobacterial blooms has been reported to lead to allergic reactions, including hay fever-like symptoms; skin rashes; and gastrointestinal distress. Animal studies have shown that long-term adverse effects from microcystins/cyanotoxins include liver and kidney damage. However, more research is ongoing to quantify these effects.
Where can I find more information?
To learn more about the HAs for microcystins and cylindrospermopsin and to view the health effects support documents for these and anatoxin-a in drinking water, visit EPA’s
Health Advisory webpage: http://water.epa.gov/drink/standards/hascience.cfm
To learn about additional strategies Public Water Systems and others could consider in managing cyanotoxins, visit EPA’s CyanoHABs website: http://www2.epa.gov/nutrient-policydata/guidelines-and-recommendations
Ingleside City Hall | 2671 San Angelo
P.O. Drawer 400 | Ingleside, Texas 78362
Phone: 361-776-2517 | Email: Contact Us
Hi Suzy -
Unfortunately no further testing has been done for microcystin removal. This is primarily because the company has not found a lab that has adequate and proper protocols in place for testing commercial water filters for this removal.
Thanks
Dan
I live near Toledo and I have a well for my water. Where can I have the water tested and at what cost?
Hi Carol -
You would have to perform this research locally as we do not have a master list of testing facilities and the prices they charge.
Thanks
Dan
Have you done any testing on the Berkys effectiveness and removing Microcystine (sp) from water?
I live near Toledo Ohio and get their water. I also own a big Berkey but have been drinking bottled water b/c although you have a lot of info here The effectiveness of the Berkey system on Microcystin still seems inconclusive. Is there going to be any testing done on the specific toxin and if so when?
Thanks
Hi Kate -
Currently there are no labs that test for this toxin to EPA/NSF standards since these organizations have not established guidelines yet. All Berkey filters are tested to these EPA/NSF standards, so testing cannot be scheduled until this is available, and thus there is no timetable.
Thanks
Dan