Berkey Water Filters Versus an Alternative System

Berkey Water Filters Versus an Alternative System

By Dan DeBaun
There is a “New” filter being advertised as the “Alternative Choice” to the Big Berkey water filter system so we thought we would put this “new” system to a couple of what we consider to be critical tests. Important Notes: * These test were performed in Nov. 2011, and is ONLY representative of the experience at that time. They do not represent future iterations and experiences this filter may provide. * These test were NOT done to any NSF testing standards and are considered backyard field testing without oversight. Verification of testing experiences cannot be replicated if not done to standard protocols and thus another individuals experience may not be the same as the one below. The first test we conducted was a flow rate test. Here is our experience.

Berkey vs "Alternative" Flow Rate Test

A fully configured four element Big Berkey water filter system can produce up to 7 gallons per hour of purified water.[1] By comparison this fully configured “alternate” system only holds two filter elements (the large diameter of the elements precludes the system from accommodating more than two elements).[2][3] The “Alternative” system when full only produces 80 ounces per hour. However, the flow rate rapidly decreases as the water level declines. For example, when 70% full, the flow rate declines to approximately 62 ounces per hour. At 50% full the flow rate declines to about 44 ounces per hour and at 1/3 full the flow rate drops to a trickle of about 26 ounces per hour (Approximately 5 hours to produce a gallon of water). Averaging out the above rates, one would expect a typical run cycle to produce an average of 53 ounces per hour. This is an average of one gallon of water produced every 2 1/2 hours. Let’s do an economic comparison. Assuming the “Alternative” system is topped off continually, it can produce about 15 gallons per day whereas a fully configured Big Berkey water filter system can produce about 168 gallons per day. Therefore it takes over eleven (11) of the “Alternative” systems to produce as much water as one Big Berkey water filter system equipped with 4 black berkey filters. Here's an economic breakdown if we were to base our purchase upon the system flow rate. Cost of “Alternative” system: $239 X 11 = $2,629.00 Cost of Big Berkey water filter equipped with 4 black berkeys: $358.00 Big Berkey system savings: $2,271.00

Berkey vs "Alternative" Chemical Removal Test

The second test we conducted was designed to validate the claims that the “Alternative” filters have a lifespan equal to that of the Black Berkey purification elements. This test is designed to overwhelm the elements with a chemical contaminate in order to determine at what point a chemical breakthrough occurs. We added chlorine (Clorox) to the water but found that we could not complete the test because after approximately 1-1/4 cups of Clorox had been filtered through the “Alternative” filters, they began to break down. After 1-1/4 cups of Clorox had been purified through the Black Berkey elements, they continued to maintain their effectiveness. We then decided to compare their respective performance filtering the same water. To do this we inserted both of the test elements, side by side, into a Berkey Light water filter housing and added an additional cup of Clorox to the pre-filtered source water. We also quarantined the water from the “Alternate” filter element from that of the Black Berkey purification element by inserting a canning jar under the effluent stem of the “Alternate” filter. Below is what we found:

Early In The Berkey vs "Alternative" Test

The “Alternate” filter excreted black inky solution

The “Alternative” filter excreted black inky solution (above)

A Close Up of The Black Ink-Like Solution

A Close Up of The Black Ink-Like Solution (above)

The “Alternative” filter is having a hard time keeping up with the flow rate of the Black Berkey purification element. Note how the Black Berkey purification element is filling up the entire diameter of the lower chamber while the “Alternative” filter element is only filling up the jar.

Midway Through The Berkey vs "Alternative" Test

berkey-light-water-filter-test-3 As the water level in the upper chamber declined, the flow rate of the “Alternative” began losing more and more ground to the water level, produced by the Black Berkey purification element, inside the larger diameter housing.

End Of Berkey vs "Alternative" Test

berkey-light-water-filter-test-4 The Black Berkey element continued to purify the contaminated water whereas the “Alternative” filter ran slow and continued to excrete a black inky solution.

"Alternative" Filter on the Left (Black Drip Forming); Black Berkey on the Right (above)

"Alternative" Filter Black Ink Drip Releasing on the Left; Black Berkey on the Right (above)

Which Water Filter System Would You Choose?

Final Test Results

Final Test Results (above)

"Alternative" Filtered Water on Left; Black Berkey Filtered Water on Right (above)

The above pictures again highlight both the difference in flow rates and the quality of water produced by the “Alternative” (Left) filter and the Black Berkey purification element (Right) after approximately two cups of Clorox had been filtered through the elements. During an emergency, such as Katrina, in which source water may be laden with heavy chemical contamination, which water filter system would you choose? ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS AND SUMMARY: • The Berkey water filter system can be primed, set up and begin purifying water in about 20 minutes; whereas the “Alternative” system must be conditioned for two days prior to use. [4] • The 2 day conditioning process cannot be accelerated by priming the “Alternative” filter elements. When we attempted to do so, the filter broke, causing the element to explode. • The wall thickness of the Black Berkey elements is approximately 60% greater than the wall thickness of the “Alternative” element. • The Black Berkey purification elements remove viruses whereas the “Alternative” filter element does not. • The flow rate of the system is only about 1/11th of the flow rate of a BK4X4BB. [5] • When performing a Chlorine test, the elements began excreting a black inky solution. • The claim is made that the new system is NSF certified, yet NSF has no record of their certification. [6] • Relevant test data is not available for the “Alternative” system. • Rather than using the expensive plasma welding on the 304 stainless steel housing, which also gives Berkey systems their beautiful mirror like lustrous shine and longevity, the housings use a low cost deep drawn method that make a tinny sound when thumped. • The foot ring on the bottom of the system is a low-cost plastic, instead of rubber, that falls off and does not snug tightly to the system. If you purchased an "Alternative Choice" filter and are not satisfied with its performance, you may be able to return it for a refund. If not, there is no reason to fret because Black Berkey purification elements can replace the filters in the "Alternative" systems. Thus, you can upgrade your system with the power of authentic Black Berkey purification elements. FOOT NOTES: [1] Fully configured Big Berkey water filter water purification system contains 4 Black Berkey purification elements. [2] Fully configured “Alternative” system contains “alternative” filtration elements. [3] Literature and website claim expansion to 3 elements. System obtained for test purposes did not physically allow this expansion. The elements were too wide at the base to allow claimed full expansion. [4] Based on assembly instructions which stated: “…fill the upper container fully with cold or room temperature water. Allow all water to flow into the lower container. Open the spigot and discard the water in the lower container. Let your system stand unused overnight. Refill upper chamber and repeat…” In other words, “alternative” system would not be available in an emergency situation until 48 hours after set-up. [5] No flow rate is established on “alternative” website or literature. [6] Claims NSF 42 certification – no such listing appears on NSF website using any combination of the “alternative” name or parent corporation.
Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun is the owner and operator of Big Berkey Water Filters. Prior to Berkey, Dan was an asset manager for a major telecommunications company. He graduated from Rutgers with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering, followed by an MBA in finance from Rutgers as well. Dan enjoys biohacking, exercising, meditation, beach life, and spending time with family and friends.

~ The Owner of Big Berkey Water Filters

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  • Avatar of SN SN 2015-09-13 04:05:38

    Will the black berkeys fit with the propur system?

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2015-09-15 20:49:13

    Hi SN -

    Yes, they will.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of john john 2014-10-24 02:12:29

    I bought the alternative choice a few months ago after reading several articles and reviews that stated they were better, however after using it for several months I'm not impressed. after seeing these results I would like to try big berkey filters. Does anyone know if they will fit the alternative system? I would hate to have to buy a new stainless steel container just to try the berkey filters.

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2014-10-24 02:45:16

    Hi John -

    Yes, the black berkeys will fit the Nomad and larger alternative systems.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of sharon sharon 2014-10-12 00:16:14

    Greetings!
    I have read that any filter that purifies water has iodine and can damage tyroid glands. Does your filters and floride filters contain iodine?
    Thanks

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2014-10-14 15:06:35

    Hi Sharon -

    This is not factually correct. Iodine is not required for water purification, in addition to the fact that iodine dosed properly is beneficial to the thyroid gland. With that being said, our filters do not add iodine to the water, nor any other substance. The black berkey filters remove items from the water, and do not add anything.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Robin Robin 2014-06-20 02:27:37

    Are you planing on adding fluoride filtering for your sport bottle? I so want to purchase one buy don't want fluoride in my water. By the way I love my Royal Berky the water taste is awesome. My kids now drink plenty of water because they love how the Berkey water taste. Great job Berky, so glad I bought this over the "Alernative" system out there.

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2014-06-23 18:19:24

    Hi Robin -

    No, there are no plans for a fluoride filter for the sport berkey as the current designs and size of the bottle would not allow this to be possible.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Z Z 2014-04-12 04:25:36

    AD on Feb 25th, 2014 asked you another question which went unanswered. Can you answer the question to whether you can get a metal spigot and metal filter casings?

    Respectfully,
    Z

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2014-04-12 19:02:11

    Hi -

    No, there is no metal spigot or casings available. The metal spigots have shown to rust over time and this is why they are not offered.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of AD AD 2014-02-25 19:27:57

    Hello,

    What is the process of manufacturing the fluoride filters? Apparently, if not properly manufactured, they can leach a significant amount of aluminium and aluminium fluoride into the purified water.

    Also, anyway I can get metal spigot and metal filter casings?

    Thanks,
    AD

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2014-02-26 15:40:44

    Hi AD -

    To clarify, the pellets are alumina oxide, which is an inert form of aluminum and is recognized by nutritionists to not cross the blood brain barrier or get absorbed by the body. There are no issues with the manufacturing process. Rather some pellets used inside the filter are dustier than others, so they take longer for the dust to wash out in the initial priming stages of breaking in the filter. Sometimes upwards of 10 full system cycles after priming.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of jason jason 2014-02-09 03:05:42

    So after doing research on all the competing filtration systems , I am close to purchasing a Berkey . But something is giving me cause for concern . On numerous websites , others have complained that their black Berkey filters have come undone . The story is always the same , they all say , " it's a really good filter , when it's not broken . " Can any Berkey staff comment about this ?

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2014-02-09 03:11:25

    Hi Jason -

    The black berkey filters issues you have heard about happened with a batch that had a higher than average defective rate (3-6%), produced in November 2010. To prevent this from happening again, the manufacturer redesigned the filters so that they are machined on in addition to a new stronger glue, such that if the glue even were to fail, the machining still keeps them functioning as designed.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Sue Sue 2013-08-26 16:18:08

    Where are verified reports on the water quality of Berkey filters? Nothing on the Berkey site (claims, but no proof) & customer service couldn't answer this question. Thanks.

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2013-08-28 20:29:30

    Hi Sue -

    Berkey is one of few water filter companies that puts all their test results online. They can be found here:

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/helpful-resources/test-results

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Jason Jason 2013-04-04 20:41:40

    I have had the berkey filters for about 7 months w/ the flouride filters and they have worked well until now. The flow rate was OK in the beginning, then it really got slow, so I figured I needed to clean the system. I washed out the containers with water and bleach, cleaned the outside of the flouride filters with antibacterial soap, and lighty cleaned the outside of the black berkey filters with a soft toothbrush. Now the flow is incredible, but I have white solids floating around in my water. Did I damage the filters? I was very careful not to clean in elements with chemicals, and only sanitized the outside of the flouride filters. These filters cost alot of money, and I am looking for alternatives to test out. I have a suspicion that I have a defective, or broken flouride filter.

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2013-04-06 02:19:53

    Hi Jason -

    Typically fast flow means the black berkeys are letting the water through quickly as they are the controlling factor for filter speed. A toothbrush can damage the filters, so you should first perform a red food coloring test on the black filters only to make sure they are working properly.

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/blog/berkey-water-filter/the-black-berkey-red-food-coloring-test

    If these are working properly, then you are most likely in good shape. The white flakes could be some calcium buildup that is washing out of the PF-2's. Let us know how you make out by contacting us at customerservice@bigberkeywaterfilters.com

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Robert Robert 2013-01-28 17:59:58

    Berkey vs alternative
    Most everyone is trying to find the best water filter and reading specifications does not always tell you everything. I used a Berkey exclusively with rainwater for 5 years. My roommate moved out and took the Berkey and I needed a new filter. I had heard the hype about the alternative and decided to go with it. It never occurred to me that the filter would be inferior and affect my health. Over a period of about 3 weeks, I began to develop an intestinal problem along with flu symptoms. Everyday it got a little worse. I will spare you all of the research and remedies I went through. I realized that the only thing I had done to change my lifestyle was the filter. I immediately went to the store and bought some filtered water and began flushing my system. Within 3 days I was cured. I ordered a Berkey and 3 weeks later, I am so glad I figured it out. The other had an inferior filter, in my opinion, and it caused intestinal distress with the rainwater. The alternative did not meet my needs, so don't jump to conclusions over specs like I did unless you are willing to gamble with your health. It may work fine with city water, but had I known the truth, I would never consider a new company over a proven and established company. The alternative is bigger than a Royal at a better price which is why I liked it. The steel is thinner and lesser quality in the alternative, and there was a strange metallic taste in the water, I guess from the filter, I don't know. The one plus in the alternative was a better water valve instead of the plastic in the Berkey. If you buy a Berkey, you will never regret it.

  • Avatar of David David 2012-12-10 20:43:10

    Can anyone direct me to a list of chemicals the Berkey removes? I found one for the alternative, but I haven't found one for the Berkey. Please direct me to some other comparison sites. Thanks

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2012-12-10 20:57:44

    Hi David -

    Here you will find links to test results and comparison charts that will provide what you are looking for.

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/helpful-resources/guides

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Reid Reid 2012-12-06 10:52:04

    Thanks so much for the information, I was just about ready to get the alternative, even though I'd had the Berkey in my sights for almost a year. Now that I've read the information, I'm headed towards the Berkey. It's a gift for my son and his budding family first, then I'll get one for me.

    •
  • Avatar of TIMOTHY J TIMOTHY J 2012-09-24 07:52:31

    This information is invaluable!!!

    I too was contemplating the purchase of the alternative but naturally I needed to do some research and investigating first.

    Thanks to this information and several others experience with the alternative and Berkey, I will NOT be purchasing the alternative for any price or "Special Offer."

    I need a product with a proven record of providing me and my family with pure/clean drinking water that has an adequate flow rate & highly effective filtering system for Chicago's poisonous tap water as well as an emergency water supply cut-off.

    Fortunately, I stopped indulging in our deadly fluoridated city water a decade ago, Therefore, my brain still functions in an awakened and logical manor enabling me to choose the superior product...Berkey is the clear victor in this match!

    Thanks a million for the information. You saved me from loads of frustration and disappointment with an inferior product.

    All the Best!

  • Avatar of david david 2012-07-23 13:58:11

    Some of the things what radio advertisers say are legitimate, others are total BS. Anyone who thinks he's got only one motive is sorely mistaken. He's got a BUSINESS to run and that is is primary objective. Properly Informing you will have to take a back seat to that.

    The alternative is obviously aware of the success and reputation of Berkey and wants to divide the flow of customers from them for their own profit. Its a very common tactic. Fruity loops was divided into "crazy hoops" and things of that nature. Its others who want to profit off of the reputation of another.

    As always

    DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH TO AVOID GETTING SCAMMED!!!

    If I didn't, I probably would have ended up buying the alternative myself.

  • Avatar of jman jman 2012-07-14 00:11:39

    berkey doesnt ship to CA... so im sad, but yea disappointed in the alternative, thx for the tip, Ray. I didnt know i needed to run it through w/o the fluoride fliter.

  • Avatar of Ray Ray 2012-06-30 17:28:08

    I'd like to inform everyone about this alternative deal from my unbiased position. I'm pissed, to be quite honest ... I bought into the hype, and I just received the Berkey Replacement elements from the alternative for my Berkey Lite ... it was due a filter change and so I listened to the marketing and fell for it.

    So, it's been about three hours since I installed the first stage filters, and it still hasn't filtered 1 gallon of water yet. Drip ... wait ..... drip ..... wait. At this rate, it looks to be at least 6 to 8 hours just to go through one cycle .... then I have to repeat that again? And is that flow rate going to remain this slow? Or .... god forbid ... might it become even slower as time goes on?

    Clearly one of the marketing gimmicks was to tout that "These filters don't need to be primed". Well, guess what ..... THEY DO .... the difference is, the Berkey filter can be primed in 5 minutes, and these "things" require two days of .... drip .... wait ..... drip ..... wait!!!

    I don't like being conned like this ... and you can bet your last dollar that I'm going to let the radio advertiser know how I feel about it too. This junk is being returned, one way or the other ... either they take it back and willingly refund my money ... or I go to the bank and have the charges reversed.

    And, for the fellow that said the alternative filters fluoride .... yes, if you have the secondary filters .. just like the berkey ... no difference. Oh yeah .. and the brain dead instructions I received with the filters? Well, I probably ruined the fluoride filters because they really didn't make it obvious that you needed to go through the long two day process with the first stage FIRST ... then install the fluoride filters ... so, about a 4 or 5 oz of initial priming water went into the fluoride filters before discovering that little tidbit.

    And, the instructions on the fluoride filters said hold it under the faucet and allow water to run through them for 30 seconds ..... water from the faucet DOES NOT FLOW THROUGH those filters ....all in all .... it must have been someone with the IQ of a house plant that drafted those instructions .... probably the same people who designed the filters "that don't need to be primed".

    Can you tell I'm pissed? Well, I haven't said what I'd really like to do with these filters ...

  • Avatar of Dan Dan 2012-05-16 14:00:03

    Hi Chuck -

    The Berkey does remove fluoride with the <a href="https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/berkey-filter-replacements-c-67/pf-2-arsenic-and-fluoride-water-filters-2-p-188" rel="nofollow">PF-2 filters linked here</a>. This is no different from the alternative choice in that regard.

    And, you are correct in that the alternative filter does not require priming, however they require a 2 day conditioning process that cannot be accelerated. The priming procedure is done for the black berkeys in about 5-10 minutes to remove air from the black berkeys as the production process binds the media very tightly and traps some air in the process. However, this is one of the reasons why the black berkeys remove chemicals and contaminants to such high degrees.

    •