What Do Berkey Phoenix Filters Remove? PFAS, Lead, Chlorine & 200+ Contaminants

If you're considering Berkey Phoenix Filters, you want to know: what contaminants do they actually remove?

Phoenix Filters are independently tested for reduction of 200+ contaminants commonly found in drinking water, with documented performance for the contaminants that matter most:

This page breaks down Phoenix performance by contaminant category, explains how testing works, and helps you determine if Phoenix is the right choice for your water quality needs.

If you're replacing expired Black Berkey elements, see our guide on what to use when its time to replace your Black Berkey filters.

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Berkey Phoenix Contaminant Reduction at a Glance

Berkey Phoenix Filters are gravity-fed filtration elements designed to reduce a broad spectrum of contaminants without requiring electricity or water pressure.

What Berkey Phoenix Filters target:

Contaminant Category	Examples	Performance
Heavy Metals	Lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium-6	>99.9% reduction
PFAS Compounds	PFOA, PFOS, related "forever chemicals"	>99.99% reduction
Chlorine & Disinfectants	Chlorine, chloramine	>99.9% reduction
VOCs	Benzene, toluene, industrial solvents	>99.9% reduction
Pesticides & Herbicides	Atrazine, glyphosate, others	>99.9% reduction
Pharmaceuticals	Antibiotic residues, hormones	>99.5% reduction

Berkey phoenix Filters are NSF certified to applicable standards (NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372) and backed by comprehensive third-party laboratory testing.

→ Shop Berkey Phoenix Filters (Set of 2)

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What Berkey Phoenix Filters Are Tested For: 200+ Contaminants

Phoenix Filters undergo independent third-party testing for over 200 specific contaminants across multiple categories. This comprehensive testing scope provides documented performance data for real-world water quality concerns.

Contaminant categories tested:

• Heavy Metals: Lead, mercury, arsenic, chromium-6, cadmium, copper
• PFAS Compounds: PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, related compounds
• Chlorine & Byproducts: Free chlorine, chloramine, trihalomethanes (THMs)
• VOCs: Benzene, toluene, xylene, industrial solvents
• Pesticides: Atrazine, simazine, metolachlor, alachlor
• Herbicides: Glyphosate, 2,4-D, dicamba
• Pharmaceuticals: Antibiotic residues, hormone compounds
• Industrial Chemicals: PCBs, dioxins, manufacturing byproducts

For complete testing documentation and NSF certification details, see our guide to Berkey testing and NSF/ANSI certification.

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PFAS & "Forever Chemicals"

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals used in manufacturing, firefighting foam, and non-stick coatings. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally and accumulate over time.

Why PFAS removal matters:

PFAS contamination affects drinking water across the U.S., particularly near:

• Military bases and firefighting training facilities
• Manufacturing sites and industrial areas
• Wastewater treatment plants
• Airports and military installations

Even low-level exposure over time is a concern due to PFAS persistence in the body and environment.

Phoenix PFAS reduction performance:

Independent laboratory testing shows Phoenix Filters achieve greater than 99.99% reduction for key PFAS compounds including PFOA and PFOS under controlled test conditions.

For households in areas with known PFAS contamination or those who want proactive protection, Phoenix Filters provide exceptional point-of-use reduction.

→ Order Berkey Phoenix Filters for PFAS Protection

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Lead & Heavy Metals

Lead contamination typically enters drinking water through aging infrastructure — corroded pipes, lead service lines, and older plumbing fixtures. Even homes built after lead pipe bans can have lead exposure from brass fittings and solder.

Why lead removal matters:

There is no safe level of lead exposure, especially for children and pregnant women. Lead can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and other long-term health effects even at low concentrations.

Homes built before 1986 are at higher risk, but lead contamination can occur in any water system with aging infrastructure.

Phoenix lead reduction performance:

Third-party testing shows Phoenix Filters achieve greater than 99.9% reduction of lead, along with documented reduction of other heavy metals including:

• Mercury: >99.9% reduction
• Arsenic: >99.9% reduction
• Chromium-6: >99.9% reduction
• Cadmium: >99% reduction

For households in older homes or areas with known infrastructure issues, Phoenix Filters provide an additional layer of protection at the point of use.

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Chlorine, Taste & Odor

Municipal water treatment facilities use chlorine to disinfect water and eliminate harmful bacteria. While effective for public health, chlorine is the primary cause of unpleasant taste and odor in tap water.

Phoenix chlorine reduction performance:

Phoenix Filters demonstrate greater than 99.9% reduction of free chlorine, resulting in immediate improvement to water taste and smell for drinking, cooking, and beverage preparation.

Most customers notice this improvement within the first day of using Phoenix Filters — water tastes cleaner, with no chemical aftertaste or odor.

Additional benefits:

• Better-tasting coffee, tea, and cold brew
• Improved flavor in cooking and food preparation
• No chlorine smell when filling glasses or pitchers

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VOCs, Pesticides & Pharmaceuticals

Beyond heavy metals and chlorine, municipal water supplies can contain trace levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), agricultural runoff, and pharmaceutical residues that pass through conventional treatment.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs):

Industrial solvents, gasoline compounds, and manufacturing byproducts can enter water supplies through contaminated groundwater or surface water. Phoenix Filters demonstrate greater than 99.9% reduction for common VOCs including benzene, toluene, and xylene.

Pesticides & Herbicides:

Agricultural runoff introduces pesticides and herbicides into water sources, particularly in rural and farming communities. Phoenix testing shows greater than 99.9% reduction for compounds like atrazine, glyphosate, and simazine.

Pharmaceutical Residues:

Trace amounts of antibiotics, hormones, and other medications can pass through wastewater treatment and end up in drinking water sources. Phoenix Filters achieve greater than 99.5% reduction for pharmaceutical compounds commonly detected in municipal supplies.

→ Get Comprehensive Contaminant Protection

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Fluoride Reduction: Optional PF-2 Stage

Berkey Phoenix Filters focus on broad-spectrum contaminant reduction. Fluoride removal requires a dedicated filtration approach and is not a primary target of Phoenix elements.

For households targeting fluoride reduction:

Berkey systems support an optional PF-2 fluoride filter stage that works alongside Berkey Phoenix elements. This modular design allows you to add fluoride reduction only if needed based on your water source and preferences.

How the Berkey PF-2 stage works:

• Installs as a secondary stage downstream from Phoenix elements
• Targets fluoride specifically using activated alumina media
• Allows customization based on your water quality priorities
• Separate replacement schedule from Phoenix elements

This approach gives you control over filtration scope and replacement costs — only add fluoride reduction if your water source requires it.

→ Shop Berkey PF-2 Fluoride Filters (Optional Add-On)

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How Berkey Phoenix Testing Works

Phoenix Filters are backed by comprehensive third-party laboratory testing conducted by independent, accredited laboratories including EPA-certified and NSF-certified facilities.

Testing methodology:

• Testing follows NSF/ANSI contaminant reduction protocols
• Performance is measured under defined laboratory conditions
• Results are documented in published reports available for public review
• Phoenix Filters are NSF certified to applicable standards (NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372)

Recent testing (2025) covers over 200 specific contaminants with documented reduction rates. This testing scope exceeds most competitive gravity filtration products.

Why independent testing matters:

Third-party laboratory testing provides verifiable performance data that can be independently reviewed. This is different from manufacturer claims alone — Phoenix results come from accredited labs using standardized test protocols.

For complete testing documentation, NSF certification details, and comparison of certification vs. protocol testing, see our detailed guide: How Berkey Filters Are Tested: NSF/ANSI Standards Explained.

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When Berkey Phoenix Is the Right Choice

Phoenix Filters are ideal for households that need documented, broad-spectrum contaminant reduction with ongoing availability and NSF certification.

Phoenix Filters are the right choice if you:

• Live in an older home: Homes built before 1986 are at higher risk for lead exposure from pipes and plumbing fixtures
• Are in an area with PFAS contamination: Phoenix provides documented >99.99% reduction for PFOA, PFOS, and related compounds
• Want chlorine-free drinking water: Immediate improvement in taste and odor with >99.9% chlorine reduction
• Need to replace expired Black Berkey elements: Phoenix is the go-forward replacement path with NSF certification and ongoing availability
• Prefer gravity filtration: No electricity, no plumbing modifications, no water pressure required
• Want long-term reliability: Phoenix Filters are rated for ~5,500 gallons per set (3-5 years for most households)

Phoenix Filters are sold as a set of 2 filters. You may purchase multiple sets if you want backup filters on hand or need to outfit larger Berkey systems (4-element configurations).

→ Order Berkey Phoenix Filters Now

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do Phoenix Filters remove PFAS?

Yes. Independent laboratory testing shows Phoenix Filters achieve greater than 99.99% reduction for key PFAS compounds including PFOA and PFOS under controlled test conditions. This makes Phoenix a strong option for households concerned about PFAS contamination in municipal drinking water.

Shop Berkey Phoenix Filters →

Do Phoenix Filters remove lead?

Yes. Third-party testing demonstrates Phoenix Filters achieve greater than 99.9% reduction of lead. This is particularly important for homes with older plumbing, lead service lines, or brass fixtures that may contribute lead to drinking water.

Order Berkey Phoenix Filters →

How many contaminants are Phoenix Filters tested for?

Phoenix Filters are independently tested for reduction of over 200 specific contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS compounds, chlorine, VOCs, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. Complete testing documentation is available for public review.

Do Phoenix Filters remove fluoride?

Phoenix Filters are not designed as dedicated fluoride filters. For households specifically targeting fluoride reduction, Berkey systems support an optional PF-2 fluoride filter stage that works alongside Phoenix elements as a secondary filtration stage.

Shop Berkey PF-2 Fluoride Filters →

Do Phoenix Filters improve water taste?

Yes. Phoenix Filters achieve greater than 99.9% reduction of chlorine, which is the primary cause of chemical taste and odor in municipal tap water. Most customers notice immediate improvement in drinking water taste and quality.

How long do Phoenix Filters last?

Phoenix Filters are rated for approximately 5,500 gallons per set of 2 elements. For most households, this translates to 3-5 years of use depending on water quality, sediment load, and daily consumption.

Are Phoenix Filters NSF certified?

Yes. Phoenix Filters are NSF certified to applicable standards including NSF/ANSI 42 and NSF/ANSI/CAN 372. Phoenix also undergoes comprehensive third-party laboratory testing for over 200 contaminants with published documentation available for review.

Are Phoenix Filters sold individually or as a set?

Phoenix Filters are sold as a set of 2 elements. Most Berkey systems use 2 elements (1 set), though larger systems can accommodate 4 elements (2 sets). You may purchase multiple sets if you want backup filters on hand.

Order Berkey Phoenix Filters (Set of 2) →

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