Introduction

While heavy metals occur naturally in the environment, they are also used in a wide range of industrial applications. Due to their ubiquity and high toxicity, heavy metals pose a serious health risk in drinking water. The good news is that a heavy metal water filter can remove these unwanted contaminants and render your drinking water safe to drink. However, since water filters vary in their ability to remove heavy metals, it is important to look for a heavy metal filter that can remove these harmful contaminants efficiently. In this article we review some of the best offerings from Berkey to help you choose the best heavy metal filter for your needs.

Things to Consider when Shopping for a Heavy Metal Filter

Why use a heavy metal water filter

While certain heavy metals such as copper, manganese and zinc play an important role in keeping our bodies healthy, we only require these elements in trace amounts, and as with most things, too much of a good thing can be bad. Other heavy metals, such as arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury are extremely toxic and can wreak havoc with our health, especially when exposed to them over a long period of time. Heavy metal pollution is common around mining areas, metal processing plants, and coal burning/nuclear power stations. Because they are widely used in agricultural, pharmaceutical, and other industrial applications, heavy metals can enter the environment via runoff, industrial waste discharges or even acid rain to contaminate soil and freshwater systems, including drinking water sources. Heavy metals such as iron and lead can also get into the water supply due to corrosion of water pipes or plumbing. While boiling water is effective at removing pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses, it is ineffective at removing heavy metals. In fact, it can make matters worse as boiling the water can increase the concentration of heavy metals present. A heavy metal purifier that is designed to remove harmful heavy metals that are commonly found in drinking water is your best line of defense. 

Benefits of using a heavy metal water filter

Heavy metals tend to bioaccumulate in the body tissue of organisms, including humans. Some heavy metals, such as arsenic for example, are carcinogenic and can cause organ damage even when exposed to them at low levels. Exposure to arsenic in drinking water has been linked to bladder cancer. Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause irreversible neurological damage and can negatively effect development in babies and young children and lead to anemia. Exposure to lead can also result in lead poisoning and cause behavioral, developmental and learning problems, while also compromising the body's immune system. Exposure to lead during pregnancy can result in premature births with the fetus being underdeveloped. Adults exposed to lead in drinking water can also suffer reproductive health problems, as well as cardiovascular and kidney problems, loss of appetite, weight loss, seizures and other health issues. A water filter that can efficiently remove harmful heavy metals from drinking water can protect you and your family from the debilitating negative health impacts associated with exposure to harmful heavy metals.

How to choose the heavy metal water filter?

Before you purchase a heavy metal water filter it is important to know what heavy metals are present in your drinking water so that you buy a filter capable of targeting those specific contaminants. It is a good idea to have your water tested by a reputable lab, or alternatively, you can purchase a home water test kit to check whether your water contains harmful heavy metals such as lead or arsenic. If your drinking water contains high levels of one or more heavy metals, look for a heavy metal filter that is capable of removing those specific contaminants to the highest levels.

Things to consider before buying a heavy metal water filter

There are several factors you need to take into account when shopping for a heavy metal water filter.

• Which heavy metals does it remove? Heavy metal filters do not necessarily remove all heavy metals. Berkey heavy metal water purifiers fitted with Black Berkey purification elements will remove 16 heavy metals commonly found in drinking water, including lead (99.9%), mercury, arsenic, cadmium, chromium. If arsenic is a problem in your area, Berkey offer an optional fluoride and arsenic filter that targets the entire family of arsenic anions as well as the arsenic cations.
• How much of the targeted heavy metal (arsenic/lead/mercury/etc) does it remove? Heavy metal water filters are not necessarily created equal. Some heavy metal filters are capable of removing a wider range of heavy metals and to a much greater degree than others. Check the specifications and the capabilities of the heavy metal water purifier you are interested in to ensure it will adequately do the job of protecting you and your family safe from exposure to harmful heavy metals.
• Filtration capabilities — What other drinking water contaminants does the water filter remove? Ideally, you want a filter that can protect you from the widest range of potential contaminants as possible, as you never know what may show up in your drinking water in the future. When shopping for a heavy metal water purifier you will get the most bang for your buck if you invest in a system that is capable of removing a wide range of common drinking water contaminants, particularly those that are most likely to occur in your drinking water.
• Storage capacity, water output and filtering efficiency — It can prove very frustrating if you have to patiently wait for water to percolate through a water filter before you can drink it. Ideally, you want to choose a heavy metal filter that is able to keep up with the water demands of all the members of your family. The optimal size of the water filter will depend on how many people it will be depending on it for a source of clean, safe drinking water. Ideally, it should be large enough to purify and store sufficient purified drinking water to meet your family's needs.
• Affordability — Cost may or may not be a deal breaker for you, but is always something to consider. What may seem like an affordable system, could turn out to be far more expensive in the long run if you take cost of replacing filter elements into account.Look for the best quality system that you can afford, making sure to also factor in the cost of replacement filters that will be needed in the future. Since the cost of replacement filters can vary dramatically and some filters need to be replaced more often than others, cheaper arsenic filters may end up costing more to operate over the long term compared to their more expensive counterparts.
• Portability — Consider where you are wanting to use the water filter and how portable it should be. All Berkey systems are durable, and operate on gravity rather than power, which makes them very portable. However, some are more compact and/or more lightweight than others, making them more convenient for transporting or packing in luggage for example.

Best Heavy Metal Water Filters

Best Countertop Heavy Metal Filter

The Big Berkey Heavy Metal Water Filter is the best countertop heavy metal water filter for a small to medium family (2-4 ppl). The Big Berkey heavy metal filter fitted with Black Berkey purification elements has been independently certified by State and EPA accredited laboratories to remove a wide range of harmful drinking water pollutants, including 16 heavy metals, disease-causing microorganisms, chlorine, chloramines, and a wide range of industrial and agricultural chemical compounds to levels that exceed EPA 7 ANSI/NSF 53 protocols. 

Pros

• Black Berkey heavy metal filter elements are capable of removing over 200 common drinking water contaminants, including heavy metals such as cobalt and lead (99.9%), cadmium (99.7%), aluminum (99.1%), mercury, chromium and chromium 6 (hexavalent), copper, barium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, vanadium, antimony, arsenic and thallium.
• To specifically target arsenic (and fluoride) in drinking water, 2-4 PF-2 fluoride/arsenic filters can be added to the lower chamber.
• When fitted with the standard set of 2 Black Berkey filter elements can deliver 3.5 gallons of safe drinking water per hour. By fitting an additional set of 2 Black Berkey purification elements (total of 4) to the upper chamber, you can increase the rate of water flow to 7 gallons per hour.
• Black Berkey heavy metal purification elements will filter 6000 gallons of water, while the PF-2 fluoride/arsenic filters will filter 1000 gallons before they will need to be replaced.
• Long filter lifespan means the water filter is a very economical solution for providing you with clean, safe drinking water.
• The large 2.1 gallon storage tank conveniently provides clean water on tap for a family of up to four people. For larger families/groups you could opt for any of the larger sized Berkey systems such as the Royal Berkey (2-6 ppl), Imperial Berkey (6-10+ ppl) or Crown Berkey (8-12+ ppl).
• Aesthetic, durable polished steel design looks good on any kitchen countertop.
• Operates on gravity rather than power, making it portable. Take it with you when you go on vacation and use it anywhere you want, even in remote locations or emergency situations.

Cons

• When fitted with the standard 2 Black Berkey filter elements, the Big Berkey can take about 1-2 hours to process 3.5 gallons of water. This may be too long to wait if you have a lot of thirsty people in your household. However, it is possible to speed up the rate of flow by doubling up on the number of Black Berkey filter elements fitted into the upper chamber, which will double the rate of flow.

Best Heavy Metal Filter for Camping

If you are looking for the best heavy metal filter for camping or outdoor activities, we recommend the ultra-portable Go Berkey Kit. The Go Berkey Kit consists of a polished stainless steel gravity-fed filter fitted with a single Black Berkey purification element, and also includes a Sport Berkey water bottle filter. The two compact water bottles, together with the Berkey primer tool that is included, fit inside a vinyl carry case that is also included with the Go Berkey Kit.

Pros

• Small, compact and lightweight heavy metal filter that can cater for up to three people.
• Made from durable polished stainless steel.
• Measuring only 10 inches in height, the upper chamber fits into the lower chamber so takes up very little space when transporting or storing.
• Made from durable polished steel.
• Portable, gravity fed heavy metal water filter that does not require power and can be used anywhere.
• Black Berky heavy metal filter elements are capable of removing over 200 common drinking water contaminants, including heavy metals such as cobalt and lead (99.9%), cadmium (99.7%), aluminum (99.1%), mercury, chromium and chromium 6 (hexavalent), copper, barium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, vanadium, antimony, arsenic and thallium.
• Can filter 1 gallon of water per hour.
• The single Black Berkey purification element will purify 3000 gallons of water before it will have to be replaced.
• The Sport Berkey water filter bottle can be refilled 640 times with municipal or well water, or 160 times with raw water from a lake or stream.
• The long life of the purification element makes this heavy metal filter very economical over the long-term.

Cons

• It is not possible to install a PF-2 fluoride/arsenic filter into the lower chamber of the Go Berkey.
• Due to its small compact size, the Go Berky kit caters for only one person comfortably. For couples, duos and trios, the Travel Berkey — which caters for up to three people— may be a better option.
• Flow rate decreases as water level in upper chamber drops. To maintain maximum flow rate, the upper chamber will need to be topped up.

Best Budget Heavy Metal Filter

If you are looking for the best heavy metal filter on the market but you are on a tight budget, fear not. Berkey offers an economical alternative to the Big Berkey in the form of the Berkey Light. Made from BPA-free plastic rather than polished stainless steel, the Berkey Light packs the same punch when it comes to removing heavy metals and other contaminants. Being both durable and light, it is a great option if you are wanting to take it with you on your travels, especially if you are traveling in large groups.

Pros

• Black Berkey heavy metal filter elements are capable of removing over 200 common drinking water contaminants, including heavy metals such as cobalt and lead (99.9%), cadmium (99.7%), aluminum (99.1%), mercury, chromium and chromium 6 (hexavalent), copper, barium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, vanadium, antimony, arsenic and thallium.
• To specifically target arsenic (and fluoride) in drinking water, 2-4 PF-2 fluoride/arsenic filters can be added to the lower chamber.
• Purifies 4 gallons of water per hour with 2 Black Berkey filter elements fitted and 7.5 gallons of water per hour with 4 filter elements fitted.
• Storage capacity of 2.75 gallons allows it to cater for up to six people comfortably.
• Lightweight BPA-free plastic design.
• Weighing only 7 pounds, it is the same weight as the Big Berkey but has a larger storage capacity and can cater for an additional 2 people.
• Lightweight, gravity-fed system makes it extremely portable. Perfect for using on vacation, remote locations and emergency situations.

 Cons

• Not as snazzy looking as its stainless steel counterparts, but a great economical alternative nevertheless.

Best of the Best

It is difficult to pick an outright winner as all of the heavy metal water filters reviewed above are the best in their class and have their merits. Having said that, however, the Big Berkey is the most popular Berkey system for good reason, and if we had to pick a winner it would be the Big Berkey. Like the Berkey Light but unlike the Go Berkey, the Big Berkey can accommodate up to 4 Black Berkey heavy metal filter elements in the upper chamber and 4 fluoride/arsenic filters in the lower chamber, making it extremely effective at reducing heavy metals and hundreds of other harmful contaminants. But the polished stainless steel design is way better looking and gives it the edge. The best heavy metal filter award therefore goes to the Big Berkey.