As news stories from both coasts have many U.S. water drinkers worried, Berkey customers are not among them. Thanks to their state-of-the-art, gravity-driven water filtration system, Berkey owners can simply refill their glasses and sport bottles with safe, great tasting water.

Berkey Water Filters Clear Odors and Tastes By Eliminating Contaminants

According to a press release by the Metropolitan Water District of California, "[s]ome residents in parts of two Southern California counties may notice a musty taste and odor in their tap water, but it is an aesthetic problem caused by an algae bloom and not a health hazard." Metropolitan imports water from Northern California through the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta, via the State Water Project, and from the Colorado River via the Colorado River Aqueduct. The east portion of State Water Project, which includes Silverwood Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains, has been affected by the an overgrowth of been 2-methylisoborneal, or MIB, and geosmin algae. The California Department of Water Resources is controlling the algae with copper sulfate. The utility describes the problem as a "nuisance," not a danger.

Berkey customers in Southern California may have noticed a smell coming from the faucet, but they certainly won't taste a difference from their Berkey filtered water. Both the Black Berkey Elements and Berkey Ceramic Filters eliminate foul odors and colors (even food coloring for the black berkeys only) along with pathogens and contaminants.

Berkey Customers Not Sweating Heat Wave-Induced Water Quality Problems

High water demand due to the Northeast United States heat wave has been causing a drop in pressure and water quality problems in Darien, Stamford and New Canaan, Connecticut, reports the Darien Times. Water utility public relations manager Peter Fazekas was quoted advising residents: "Do not drink discolored water" and the utility's advisory recommends "that you do not use water until it is clear, as it may cause discoloration of your laundry and is not aesthetically pleasing." Department of Health head David Knauf counters: "[N]o compromise to the safety and integrity of the supply system has occurred. The discoloration is similar to what happens when the service lines are flushed. Testing performed today showed adequate levels of chlorine to protect public health. Residents are asked to reduce their water usage until the system clears."

Considering that Berkey water filters are capable of decontaminating and purifying even untreated water, Berkey customers might be skipping the laundry this week to avoid clothing stains, but they are not going thirsty.

Berkey Customers Pay 500 Times Less for Water Than Trendy Water Cafe Patrons

A new NYC cafe sells only water, filtered New York City tap water, at $2.50 for a 16 ounce glass bottle. Willing to spend a little more? Molecule will happily enhance your water with vitamins and minerals or herbal supplement blends for a dollar or two more. Customers looking to save a little money on the plain water offering at Molecule can bring their own bottles and fill up to 50 ounces for only a dollar, but those prices probably still have Berkey customers reeling.

"The water tastes pure, it's light, it's fluffy, it's sweet," cafe co-owner Adam Ruhf told the Wall Street Journal. Perhaps some aren't worried about fluffy and maybe this is all just a sign of the times, but by spending less that $0.02 per gallon on their filtered water, berkey customer's wallets are undoubtedly heavier.