what does a berkey water filter remove

What Contaminants Does a Berkey Water Filter Remove?

Last updated: May 18, 2026 Dan DeBaun By Dan DeBaun

Clean water isn't a luxury. The contaminants in U.S. drinking water vary widely by region and source, well water carries different threats than municipal water, and emerging concerns like PFAS aren't fully addressed by standard pitcher filters. Berkey gravity systems are independently tested against more than 200 contaminants across 8 major categories, reducing them while leaving beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium intact.

Every Berkey system uses one of two filter elements in the upper chamber: the legacy Black Berkey filter or the next-generation Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition filter. Both target the same core contaminant categories. The comparison below shows independently tested reduction rates side by side.

Contaminant Reduction by Category

What Berkey Filters Remove, by the Numbers

Legacy Element

Black Berkey Filters

Tested to NSF/ANSI standards by EPA-accredited labs. Currently only available with brand new systems and temporarily unavailable as replacements due to an EPA regulatory matter.

Current Element

Phoenix Gravity Filters

NSF/ANSI 42 and 372 Certified. The current authorized replacement element for Berkey systems, available now.

Contaminant Category Black Berkey Phoenix
🔬PFAS & Forever Chemicals
>99.9%9 compounds tested >99.8%7 compounds tested
⚗️Heavy Metals
99.1% to >99.9%20 metals incl. Lead, Mercury, Arsenic >99.5%10+ metals incl. Lead, Mercury, Arsenic
💊Pharmaceuticals & Hormones
>99.5%17 compounds tested >99.9%12 compounds incl. emerging contaminants
🧪Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
99.6% to >99.99%54 compounds incl. Benzene, TCE, MTBE >99.9%60+ compounds tested
🌿Pesticides & Herbicides
>99.9%40+ compounds incl. Atrazine, Glyphosate, DDT >99.9%65+ compounds tested
🚰Disinfectants & Disinfection Byproducts
87.5% to 99.9%Chlorine, Chloramines, Fluoride, Nitrite >99.99% Chlorine18 DBPs tested at 99.0%+
🛢️Petroleum Contaminants
>99.9%Gasoline, Diesel, Crude Oil, MCHM >99.0%6 compounds incl. Gasoline, Diesel, Kerosene
☢️Radiologicals
95.3% to >99.9%Uranium, Radium, Cesium, Strontium >99.9%6 elements incl. Cesium, Iodine, Uranium

Fluoride note: Neither element is designed for consistent long-term fluoride reduction on its own. For homes targeting fluoride, both elements pair with the optional PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filter installed in the lower chamber.

Black Berkey availability: Black Berkey filters are temporarily unavailable due to an EPA regulatory matter. Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition filters are the current authorized replacement and ship today.

New to Berkey? Start With a System.

Every Berkey system ships ready to use with Black Berkey filters included. Choose your size based on household needs, from the Travel Berkey for couples to the Crown Berkey for large families or groups.

Shop Berkey Systems
Drill Down to the Compound Level

See the Complete Contaminant Lists

The summary above covers categories. The detailed pages below cover every individual compound each filter is tested against, with lab references and reduction data.

Black Berkey

Complete Black Berkey Contaminant List

Every compound tested across 9 categories, with lab references, detection limits, and downloadable original reports.

View Full List
Phoenix

Complete Phoenix Contaminant List

Full breakdown of compounds Phoenix is tested against, including PFAS, heavy metals, DBPs, SVOCs, and PCBs.

View Full List
Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Answers

How many contaminants do Berkey filters remove?+

Both Black Berkey and Phoenix Gravity filters are independently tested against more than 200 individual contaminants across 8 major categories: PFAS, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and hormones, VOCs, pesticides and herbicides, disinfectants and disinfection byproducts, petroleum contaminants, and radiologicals.

Are Black Berkey filters still available?+

Black Berkey filters are temporarily unavailable due to an EPA regulatory matter. The Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition filter is the current authorized replacement element and ships today. Phoenix is fully compatible with all standard Berkey stainless steel systems.

Do Berkey filters remove PFAS (forever chemicals)?+

Yes. Both filters have independently tested PFAS reduction. Black Berkey was tested against 9 PFAS compounds at >99.9% reduction, with PFOA reduced to below 2 ppt. Phoenix was tested against 5 PFAS compounds at >99.8% reduction.

Do Berkey filters remove fluoride?+

Neither element is designed for consistent long-term fluoride reduction on its own. For homes targeting fluoride, both filters pair with the optional PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filter installed in the lower chamber. The PF-2 is rated for 1,000 gallons of fluoride reduction.

Do Berkey filters remove beneficial minerals?+

No. Both elements are designed to retain essential minerals including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The one exception is zinc, which is intentionally reduced. Because zinc is widely available in the average diet, this is unlikely to impact health.

Can Berkey filters be used on well water and city water?+

Yes. Berkey systems work on well water, city water, and other sources, which makes them well suited for many situations. When using untreated well water, it's best to test the source first since not all contaminants may be removed. Boiling the water beforehand adds an extra layer of safety.

Do Berkey filters remove radioactive contaminants?+

Yes. Both filters reduce radioactive elements at high rates. Black Berkey was tested at 95.3% to >99.9% reduction across uranium, radium, cesium, strontium, and other radiologicals. Phoenix was tested at >99.9% reduction across 6 radiological elements.

Related Guides

Go Deeper on Specific Contaminants

Contaminant-Specific Articles

Ready to See the Lab Data, or Get Your System?

Every reduction rate above is sourced from independent lab testing. View the full reports, shop a complete system, or grab replacement Phoenix filters.

Shop Berkey Systems Shop Phoenix Filters View Lab Test Results
Dan DeBaun

Dan DeBaun

Dan 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

  • Avatar of Yachi D Yachi D 2025-08-17 01:09:43

    Love my Berkeys. Husband now my VA caretaker and trying to explain priming and subsequent need for cleaning the black Berkey filters. Is there an instructional video for each available. Can't get up to help but I want my Crown Berkey set up. Big Berkey needs cleaning. I bought filters ahead so they should last for the rest of our lives. Well water high desert Eastern Sierra snow melt primarily. Thank you.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2025-08-20 13:55:28

    Hi Yachi -

    Yes, please see this article with invluded video here:

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/blog/how-to-clean-black-berkey-filters

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Jonathan Jonathan 2025-01-03 14:27:45

    Hello, I had my well water tested and it came back with maganese levels that are much too high for consumption additional it is slightly hard water. I tried the berkey with the black carbon filters but I still had a reaction to the water. Berkey says is filters out 99.9 % maganese. I've had the filters for a while. Would a back washing help with this? Any suggestions or support is appreciated. Thanks!

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2025-01-03 18:05:11

    Hi Jonathan -

    There are too many variables outside of the manganese, that could be affecting you so this is a difficult question. A back-flushing would not improve filtration, but rather unclog the filters if they are clogged. A red food coloring test would tell you if the filters are performing to design specs, so this can be helpful info. However, we would recommend re-testing the water pre and post filtration to get a better idea of all potential contaminant levels and then go from there.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Rudi Rudi 2024-12-28 11:58:08

    I've been using my Big Berkey with softened water and its working great, curious how much shorter a life span the Black Berkey filters have using softened water? My plan is to swap them out more often, does this work?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-12-28 20:38:44

    Hi Rudi -

    It's really hard to say because there are just so many other factors than can contribute to this. We would guesstimate a 1/3 of their life would be reduced but again this is a rough idea. You can always perform a red food coloring test on the filters at any time to check them as well.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Nikki Nikki 2024-05-21 16:24:33

    Does the Berkey filter out microplastics?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-05-21 17:36:38

    Hi Nikki -

    Please see this article:

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/blog/can-berkey-remove-microplastics-from-water

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Gayle Montayo Gayle Montayo 2024-05-03 01:10:20

    Dear Mr. DEBAUN, Nice to meet you. I and my family are in need of the black Berkey filters & white floride filters. Please advise. Thank you for your time. P.S. (My Brother, my Son & family, and myself LOVE our Berkey!!!)

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-05-15 14:31:07

    Hi Gayle -

    The fluoride filters are available now and we are working on getting the black berkey filters available. You can sign up for the "back in stock email notification" on the black berkey page and you will be notified immediately once they are available.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Suzanne Suzanne 2024-05-01 06:53:15

    Do Berkeley carbon filters remove TFAs ?
    If not what can you offer ?

    Thanks

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-05-01 22:53:31

    Hi Suzanne -

    I believe you may be referring to PFAS, and yes the filters will remove these.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Gary Gary 2024-03-26 02:04:22

    Can the white fluoride filters be cleaned? I’m asking because it seems they have plugged and won’t filter water unless the top tank is full. And then it won’t filter past 1/2 gallon. I installed them December 2024.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-03-26 16:21:57

    Hi Gary -

    No, they cannot be cleaned. But, I would clean the black berkey filters and make sure the PF-2 filters are not screwed on by more than 8 revolutions, as both clogged filters and fluoride filters screwed on too tight will cause slow to stopped filtration.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Judy Judy 2024-01-22 03:16:37

    Does it filter out magnesium? Thanks

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-01-23 16:35:13

    Hi Judy -

    No, it does not remove beneficial minerals from the water.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Rachel Rachel 2024-01-13 16:18:32

    Can a Berkey system filter out sulfuric acid or potassium cyanide? Thank you

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2024-01-16 17:42:56

    Hi Rachel -

    It has not been tested for either so we cannot comment as to their effectiveness in their removal.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Richard Richard 2024-01-06 15:15:39

    What is the real EPA motive here? It doesn't appear that "covid" in the water is the true reason the EPA wants Berkey filters "off the shelves."
    Wonder why the government wants to restrict the public from effective water filters that make the water cleaner. Why doesn't "Uncle Sam" want you to drink clean (as possible) water?

  • Avatar of Maggie Maggie 2023-10-30 19:21:32

    Hi, does this filter remove polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-11-01 01:56:31

    Hi Maggie -

    It has not been tested for such, so we cannot comment as to it's effectiveness in removal.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Karmen Karmen 2023-09-29 12:00:42

    Does the berkey system filter out snake venom? Just watched Dr Ardis talk about snake venom in the water supply

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-10-02 17:43:39

    Hi Karmin -

    We do not have tasting on the removal of snake venom, so we do not know it's effectiveness.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Andy Andy 2023-09-25 07:00:33

    Hello,
    I read that Berkey filter which removes fluoride leaks aluminium into the filtered water. Are there any tests confirming or rejecting it?
    Also, for how long filter is effective?
    Thanks, Andy

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-09-26 19:48:11

    Hi Andy -

    The fluoride filters are good for approx 1000 gallons or 1 year, whichever comes first. Details on the media used to answer your question can be found here: https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/blog/berkey/Do-Berkey-Water-Filter-Systems-Leach--Aluminum-Into-Your-Drinking-Water

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Venus Doria Venus Doria 2023-09-11 20:40:36

    Hello! Do Berkey filters remove orthophosphate in potable water. The city I live in started corrosion control program which involves adding phosphoric acid just before the water leaves the treatment plant.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-09-13 21:15:22

    Hi Venus -

    The filters have not been tested for orthophosphate, so we do not know at this time.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Julie Julie 2023-08-27 01:03:09

    Will these filters make lake water and melted snow drinkable?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-08-29 17:42:49

    Hi Jule -

    Yes, this should be fine. You can always boil the water beforehand if you desire as well.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Beedee Beedee 2023-07-24 19:43:41

    Do Berkey filters remove chloramines? I know that many cities are adding these and lowering the chlorine level.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-07-27 21:39:41

    Hi BeeDee -

    Yes, the black berkeys will reduce chloramines to greater than 99.9%.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Adam Adam 2023-07-16 05:28:59

    Will this make rain water drinkable?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-07-19 17:01:28

    Hi Adam -

    Yes, it should be fine for filtering rainwater.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Alex Alex 2023-07-11 16:20:21

    Hello, we would like to use the Berkey filter to drink water from our well. Does the filter remove all types of common pesticides used in agriculture (vineyards) making the water safe to drink?
    Many thanks,
    Alex

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-07-13 00:47:03

    Hi Alex -

    The filters have been tested to remove many pesticides like atrazine from the water. Here's the pesticide testing results which lists some of the other pesticides removed.

    https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/chloramine-pharmaceutical-pesticide-etc-results

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Tamara Tamara 2023-05-20 12:51:40

    Dear dan,
    I have a berkey but what I don’t understand: If you have all filters (black and fluoride), how does the berkey system filter out the fluoride from the water that goes though the black filters?
    As they are not layered. Some water goes
    through white filters and some through the black. I may see it wrong.

    Thank you
    Tamara

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-05-23 16:39:27

    Hi Tamara -

    The filters are stages. First the water goes through the black berkey filters, and then they go through the fluoride filters that go in the lower chamber, second.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Samara Samara 2023-05-07 10:38:28

    Does the Berkey filter remove calcium?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-05-08 23:22:11

    Hi Samantha -

    No, the berkey does not remove beneficial minerals.

    Thanks
    Dan

    •
  • Avatar of Robel Robel 2023-04-08 18:18:36

    I’m a little confused under the minerals section, it reads “ A Berkey will remove harmful pollutants without leaving in the beneficial minerals”.
    Is this a typo or does the water filter remove minerals from the water? Thanks

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-04-10 23:50:17

    Hi Robel -

    Yes, that was a error. We made the correction.

    Thank you!
    Dan

  • Avatar of Gracie Gracie 2023-02-22 19:20:06

    We have a berkey we use to filter our well water. I collect the berkey filtered water in 2 gallon water jugs for use later. Our water has sulfer gas producing bacteria. I am having to boil the water first, bc when i do not, the gas is produced in my saved berkey filtered water. I have black filters. Do i need a different filter to avoid the boiling step?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-02-22 21:11:08

    Hi Gracie -

    No, you would not need to boil the water as the filters will remove this bacteria from the water.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Mark Mark 2023-02-20 11:04:12

    Does any Berkey product filter vinyl chloride, Isobutylene, Butyl acrylate, Benzene, Ethylhexyl acrylate or Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-02-20 18:09:34

    Hi Mark -

    Yes, some of these like vinyl chloride are removed. Please see the full list of all contaminants removed here: https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/black-berkey-filters.html

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Margaret Obe Margaret Obe 2023-01-02 15:42:26

    Hello, i was under the impression that the black berkey filters remove flouride, as i am thinking of purchasing the berkey travel, for travel purposes.

    Thank you
    Margaret.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2023-01-03 17:45:50

    Hi Margaret -

    While the black berkeys will remove some fluoride in the beginning, for consistent removal of fluoride you would need the PF-2 fluoride and arsenic filters. These fit in the lower chamber of the travel berkey system hanging from the black berkey filters.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Jhds Jhds 2022-12-29 01:32:25

    Does it kill virus?

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2022-12-29 15:50:22

    Hi Jhds -

    Yes, it has bees tested for Viruses (MS2 - Fr Coliphage) and Reduced to > 99.999%.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Linda Linda 2022-10-21 15:54:53

    Does the Berkey filter out calcium? The content here is very high.

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2022-10-30 17:18:56

    Hi Linda -

    No, the filters do not remove beneficial minerals from the water, and calcium is considered one of those.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Alice Alice 2022-10-16 16:19:56

    Hi, How does the Berkey compare to the Clearly Filtered pitcher filter? They remove 16 contaminants in my area, so how many does Berkey remove? https://www.clearlyfiltered.com/pages/water-quality-testing-results?zip=23150

    Also, what about the standing water? I've had an issue with Berkey with white mold growing around the filters.

    Please clarify with any proofs that you have.

    Thank you,
    A. Barnes

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun 2022-10-18 15:08:37

    Hi A Barnes -

    We do not have a direct comparison to the clearly filtered, but we do have the comparisons to Brita and Pur, and the quality is similar.

    Please see comparisons here: https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/helpful-resources#articles-videos

    Testing results can be found on that page as well.

    Mold can grow anywhere, but because the filters are self-sterilizing, they would not grow inside the filters, not impact filtration performance.

    Thanks
    Dan

  • Avatar of Joyce Joyce 2022-05-13 23:45:45

    I bought my Berkey a little less tha. A month ago and I cannot be more pleased with my Berkey. I can now drink and cook with this filtered water knowing I’m using purified clean water. Waiting for the the fluoride and arsenic filters to come back in stock. Thank you Berkey

  • Avatar of Jesse Jesse

    Hi Dan,

    Would you still recommend water being filtered through the Big Berkey after a flood? We are on a do not drink notice

  • Avatar of Dan DeBaun Dan DeBaun

    Hi Jesse -

    That's a really hard question to answer because we do not have visibility on what contaminants may be in that water. While the Berkey covers a large range of contaminants(over 200), it would be irresponsible for us to say you are confidently protected with knowing the contaminants in that water.

    Thanks
    Dan

    •
Back to blog