Updated on January 11, 2024

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Created on August 4, 2019

Berkey Ceramic Filters

Berkey Ceramic filters are gravity-fed water filtration and purification systems available in different sizes.

Tested By
  • Analytical Services, Inc
  • Biological Consulting Services of North Florida
  • ENVIROTECH LABORATORIES INC
  • QUALITY FILTER TESTING LABORATORY, LLC
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Author

Product Description

Berkey ceramic filters are free-standing (tabletop), portable, gravity-fed water filtration and purification systems manufactured in the USA and commercialized by New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. They are available in different sizes (models) to serve individuals, families or large groups and for use during travel, outdoor activities, or unexpected emergencies. They are designed to remove up to 99.999% of viruses and 99.9999% of pathogenic bacteria, and to remove or dramatically reduce protozoa and many harmful chemicals such as trihalomethanes, inorganic minerals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, petroleum products, perfluorinated chemicals, rust, silt, sediment and radiologicals.

Target SDGs

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

Market Suggested Retail Price

$730.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, NGOs

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Berkey ceramic Filters are currently distributed by Authorized international Dealers, in north America (US and Canada (14 dealers), Puerto Rico and carribbean Islands (1 dealer), Europe(21 dealers), Middle East (2 dealers), Asia (4 dealers), Australia and New Zealand(8 dealers) and South Africa (1 dealer) and South America (Peru). Berkey Filters USA and Big Berkey Water filters are the main dealers. Historically, Berkey filtration systems have been used by The Royal household in England, populations in over 140 countries worldwide, relief Organizations such as UNICEF, the Peace Corps, Missionary organizations and Red Cross Societies Internationally and by hunters, campers, adventurers and explorers.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Envirogard Products Ltd. manufactures the ceramic filter cartridges, the buckets, spigots, and other components are manufactured separately and shipped together or obtained locally and assembled on-site.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

Berkey water purification systems, accessories, and other products are sold online, in market or in stores through a network of Authorized Berkey Dealers worldwide.

Distributions to Date Status

Approximate number is unknown but it is at least in the hundreds given that NMCL has a global network of hundreds of Authorized Berkey® Dealers that has grown since the business began in 1998. Interview with representative

Type of filter

Ceramic candle filter

Primary material of construction

All Berkey filter chambers are constructed of highly polished AISI 304 stainless steel, except for the Berkey Light system which is made of non-BPA/BPS co-polyester.  Black Berkey® Purification ceramic Elements have a carbon core and are silver impregnated.

Additives

None, all of the components used to manufacture the Black Black Berkey® Purification Elements are food grade products. Interview with representative

Manufacturer-specified flow rate (L/hr)

1 – 26 gallons (3.8-98.4 L/hour) depending on the filter size and when it is dully configurated with the maximum number of elements.

 

Bacteria reduction

Up to log 6 (99.9999%)of pathogenic bacteria

Virus reduction

Up to log 5 (99.999%)

Protozoa reduction

> log 4 (99.99%)

Heavy metals and/or arsenic reduction

>87.5 % removal of Arsenic, chromium, cadmium, molybdenum, vanadium, antimony, selenium, chromium VI and mercury.

Maximum recommended influent turbidity level (NTU)

This filter has been tested under 4.5 NTU

Effluent turbidity levels (NTU)

<.10 (> 97.8%)

Maintenance schedule

Black Berkey™ purification elements are re-cleanable. If the time it takes for the water to filter into the lower chamber substantially decreases, they should be removed, and held under cleaning running water while scrubbing lightly with a ScotchBrite® pad or toothbrush. More on how to maintain the system properly here.

 

Manufacturer-specified lifetime volume (L)

Black Berkey® Purification Elements have a life expectancy of up to 3,000 gallons of water per element.

Safe water storage integration

0.95 L to 22.7 L, depending on filter size

Design Specifications

Berkey ® Systems come in 7 different sizes: Go kit, Light, Travel, Big, Royal, Imperial and Crown Berkey ® System. Each system consists of an upper and lower stainless steel chamber (except for the Light Berkey ® System which is make of non-BPA/BPS co-polyester). The filtering process is performed by Black Berkey® Purification Elements which come standard in pairs in all systems (except for the Go Berkey® Kit which comes with one element) and can be added in pairs up to 8 elements to speed up purification. Sizes of Berkey Filters with number of Black Berkey® Purification Elements. To use, water is poured from any source into the top chamber of the system, and purified water is dispensed from the lower chamber through a spigot. Depending on filter size, normal everyday use ranges from 1 to 12 people and up to 625 people during emergency situations. Storage capacity can range from 0.95 L to 22.7 L and average flow rate is between 3.8 L/hours and 98.4 L /hours. Dimensions: Go Berkey ® kit: 14¨x 4¨ (355.6 x 101.6mm); 2.4 Lb (weight empty); 0.95 L of storage capacity; 3.8 L/hour of average flow rate . Light Berkey ® System: 26.5¨x 9¨; 8 Lb (weight empty); 10.4 L of storage capacity; 15.2 – 26.5 L/hour of average flow rate. Travel Berkey ® System: 18¨x 7.5¨; 7 Lb (weight empty); 5.7 L of storage capacity; 10.4 L/hour of average flow rate. Big Berkey ® System: 19.25¨x 9¨; 7 Lb (weight empty); 8.5 L of storage capacity; 13.3 – 26.5 L/hours of average flow rate. Royal Berkey ® System: 23 x 9.5¨; 8 Lb (weight empty); 12.3 L of storage capacity; 15.1 – 26.5 L/hour of average flow rate. Imperial Berkey ® System: 26¨x 10¨; 10 Lb (weight empty); 17 L of storage capacity; 20.8 – 62.5 L/hours of average flow rate. Crown Berkey ® System: 30¨x 11¨; 12 Lb (weight empty); 22.7 L of storage capacity; 24.6 – 98.4 L/hours of average flow rate.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Costumers are asked to visit Berkey® by NMCL Customer Support & Service for defective products requiring repair or replacement under the terms of New Millennium Concepts product0s Limited Warranty and return policy.

Replacement Components

Replacements components include the Black Berkey® Purification Elements and other items, as well as accessories or enhancements such as the Berkey PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements that may be installed on each Black Berkey® Purification Element.

Lifecycle

Each pair of Black Berkey® Purification Elements has a typical expected use of about 5-8 years (up to 6,000 gallons of treated water) before needing replacement and includes a 2 years limited prorated warranty. Other components such as the Berkey PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Filters and all Berkey® accessories include a 6 month warranty.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Berkey® systems equipped with Black Berkey®Purification Elements are designed to accomodate size of the user’s space, number of people served and water use. They are also made to remove up to 99.999% of viruses and 99.9999% of pathogenic bacteria, and to remove or dramatically reduce protozoa, trihalomethanes, inorganic minerals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, petroleum products, perfluorinated chemicals, rust, silt, sediment and even radiologicals. Designer specific performane targets include: powerful (filter), effortless, convenient,portable, durable, economical and proven.

Vetted Performance Status

Black Berkey Purification elements have been tested for biological and microbiological removal efficiency by Biological Consulting Services of North Florida Inc. and ANALYTICAL SERVICES, INC. and for chemical and physical contaminants reduction and/or removal by ENVIROTEK LABORATORIES, INC., QUALITY FILTER TESTING LABORATORY, LLC. and by Water Filter Labs. For a list of contaminant filtration specifications click here. For the link to laboratory tests results performed see here.

Safety

Potential hazards would be those related to the use of this product when damaged and is in need of replacement. When the carbon of the black filtering elements becomes exhausted, although the ceramic shell will continue to remove pathogenic bacteria and turbidity, the filter will be unable to reduce chemicals, foul taste and odors of the source water.

Complementary Technical Systems

The Berkey Purification systems do no need extra component to assist function. However there are accessories that can be bought to improve function and purification such as the Berkey PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements.

Academic Research and References

“Authorized Berkey® Dealers,” Berkey Water Systems, 07-Sep-2018. Available: https://support.berkeywater.com/find-authorized-berkey-dealers/

“Authorized International Dealers,” Berkeywater.com. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/authorized-international-dealers/

“Big Berkey Water Filter Systems – For the Love of Clean Water,” Bigberkeywaterfilters.com. Available: https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/

“Find Your System,” Berkeywater.com. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/find-your-system/

“Health, pharma & biotechnology,” Imerys. Available: https://www.imerys.com/markets/health-pharma-biotechnology

“Goal 6,” Sdgs.un.org. Available: https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6

“*Crown BerkeyTM System (6 gal),” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/crown-berkey-system-6-gal/

“*Black Berkey® Elements,” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/black-berkey-elements/

“*Berkey Light® System (2.75 gal),” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/berkey-light-system-2-75-gal/

“Find Your System,” Berkeywater.com. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/find-your-system/

J. Buchholz and G. Lukasik, “Biological Consulting Services,” Berkeywaterkb.com. Available: https://berkeywaterkb.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Berkey-Crypto-and-Giardia-Study-BCS-1805039-40-05-09-2018r.pdf

Berkeywaterkb.com. Available: https://berkeywaterkb.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Black-Berkey-Heavy-Metal-MBAS-Chlorine-Turbidity-Removal-Test-Report.pdf

“Go Berkey® Kit,” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/go-berkey-kit/

“* Travel Berkey® System (1.5 gal),” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/travel-berkey-system-1-5-gal/

“*Big Berkey® System (2.25 gal),” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/big-berkey-system-2-25-gal/

“*Royal Berkey® System (3.25 gal),” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/royal-berkey-system-3-25-gal/

“*Imperial Berkey® System (4.5 gal),” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/imperial-berkey-system-4-5-gal/

“*Crown BerkeyTM System (6 gal),” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd.  Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/crown-berkey-system-6-gal/

“*Black Berkey® Elements,” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/black-berkey-elements/

“Replacement Items,” Berkeywater.com. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/replacement-items/

“Accessories,” Berkeywater.com. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/accessories/

S. User, “BCS Laboratories of North Central Florida, Inc,” Microbioservices.com. Available: https://www.microbioservices.com/

“Analytical Services, Inc.- Water, Testing and Other Environmental Microbiological Services,” Analyticalservices.com. Available: https://www.analyticalservices.com/

“Black Berkey® Element Specifications,” Berkeywaterkb.com. Available: https://berkeywaterkb.com/black-berkey-element-specifications/

“Black Berkey® Elements Test Results,” Berkeywaterkb.com. Available: https://berkeywaterkb.com/black-berkey-elements-test-results/

“*Berkey PF-2TM Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements,” New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. Available: https://www.berkeywater.com/berkey-pf-2-fluoride-and-arsenic-reduction-elements/

“Water Safety, Water Purification and Bottled Water,” NSF. Available: https://www.nsf.org/consumer-resources/drinking-water

“Big Berkey black ceramic elements with arsenic / fluoride add-on elements,” WaterFilterLabs.com. Available: http://www.WaterFilterLabs.com/Big-Berkey-gravity-water-filter-heavy-metals-lab-results.html

“berkey water filter – YouTube.” Available: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=berkey+water+filter

“NaturalNews.com,” NaturalNews.com. Available: https://www.naturalnews.com/

“Big Berkey gravity-fed water filters are a top pick for clean water and long-term preparedness,” NaturalNews. Available: https://www.naturalnews.com/030070_Big_Berkey_water_filter.html

“Gravity water filter scientific test results released by Natural News: Big Berkey, ProPur, Zen Water Systems and more,” NaturalNews. Available: https://www.naturalnews.com/047620_water_filter_lab_tests_arsenic_removal.html

“Flint, Michigan, lead poisoning not a problem if you own a Big Berkey water filter: See lead removal lab test results at WaterFilterLabs.com,” NaturalNews. Available: https://www.naturalnews.com/052833_Flint_Michigan_lead_poisoning_Big_Berkey_water_filters.html

“Big Berkey beats ProPur gravity water filter for removal of heavy metals and toxic elements,” NaturalNews. Available: https://www.naturalnews.com/047373_Big_Berkey_water_filter_ProPur_lab_tests.html

Compliance with regulations

The Black Berkey® Purification Element formulation has been tested by State and EPA accredited laboratories to exceed NSF/ANSI Standard 53.

Evaluation methods

The Black Berkey® Purification Elements have been evaluated for removal of bacteria, virus, cysts, turbidity, protozoa, trihalomethanes, inorganic minerals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, VOCs, petroleum products, perfluorinated chemicals, and radiologicals in certified third-party laboratories and independently by Water Filter Labs forbelement reduction( Al, Cu, As,St, Cd,Cs, Hg, Pb, U).

Other Information

For video reviews and user and costumer experiences see here.

 

To see other articles related to Berkey Filters efficiency and comparison to other filters see here.

 

Related articles

 

Adams, Mike “Big Berkey gravity-fed water filters are a top pick for clean water and long-term preparedness”, Sunday, October 17, 2010.

 

Adams, Mike “Gravity water filter scientific test results released by Natural News: Big Berkey, ProPur, Zen Water Systems and more”, Wednesday, November 12, 2014.

 

Debon, L-J., “Flint, Michigan, lead poisoning not a problem if you own a Big Berkey water filter: See lead removal lab test results at WaterFilterLabs.com”, Tuesday, January 19, 2016,

 

Adams, Mike “Big Berkey beats ProPur gravity water filter for removal of heavy metals and toxic elements”, Thursday, October 23, 2014.

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