Just the bare Berkey FAQs ma'am

What is the history of British Berkefeld® Water Filters?

John Doulton founded his first pottery in 1815. As early as 1827, his son Henry, developed ceramic filters for removing bacteria from drinking water. Because the Thames river was heavily contaminated with raw sewage; cholera and typhoid epidemics were rampant,

Queen Victoria commissioned Henry to produce a water filter for the Royal household. His Research and Development department created micro porous ceramic cartridges capable of removing bacteria with better than 99% efficiencyThese ceramics are used in British Berkefeld® gravity filters and are in use in over 150 countries. Today the British Berkefeld® name is the preferred choice for water purification products in world-wide locations where outbreaks of illness are associated with unreliable water supplies. British Berkefeld® is the water filter that has truly stood the test of time.

What is the technology behind the filter elements and why are they unique?

• Silver impregnated: Prevents Mitosis or Grow-Through.
  
  
• Filtration efficiency: .2 Nominal
  

@.2 Microns >98%
@.3 Microns >99.7%
@.5 Microns >99.9%

• Removes >99.99% of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, E. Coli, Vibro Cholerae, Salmonella, Dysenteria
  
  
• Toxicological extraction is commonly the most difficult area of the NSF testing standards to satisfy. This shows that the filter does not re-contaminate the water. Many ceramic filters re-contaminate the water with undesirable elements such as Arsenic and Antimony. The Ceramic shell used in our filter element is an NSF Listed Component and is manufactured to meet NSF standards 42 and 53.
  
  
• Carbon Core: Reduces bad taste and bad odor as well as many pesticides, herbicides, organic solvents, and trihalomethanes.
  
• 
  Ceramic elements may be cleaned 50 to 100 times or more.
  
  

When do I clean the ceramic filter element?

When the time it takes for the water to filter into the lower chamber substantially decreases.

How do I clean the filter element?

Hold the ceramic element under clean running water while scrubbing lightly with a 3M ScotchBrite pad or soft toothbrush. Cleaning should be performed evenly working from the threaded mount down.

How do I determine when the granular carbon in the ceramic element is exhausted?

When bad taste and odor of the source water is no longer removed. Note: The ceramic shell will continue to remove pathogenic bacteria after the carbon has been saturated.

Is it possible to reactivate or regenerate the granular carbon in the filter element once it becomes saturated with chemicals?

Yes, some chemicals such as chlorine can be removed from the carbon by simply boiling the ceramic filter element in water for five minutes. Note: To avoid cracking the ceramic shell, place the element in cool water and then bring the water to a boil. Never place a cool element in boiling water or a hot element in cool water.

If the ceramic shell cracks, should I continue to use it?

No. Anytime a crack occurs, the integrity has been lost and the filter must be replaced.

What are some of the water sources I can filter through the British Berkefeld®?

Tap water as well as water from a pond, creek, lake, river, well, cistern, rain water, or even water you have stored can be used for drinking and cooking with peace of mind.

How does the system work?

Just add water into the upper chamber which gravity feeds (filters) into the lower chamber. A four filter system will average about a gallon per hour.

Who has historically used the British Berkefeld® Emergency Camping Filter? Relief Organizations such as Unicef, The Peace Corps, Red Cross societies internationally, missionaries in over 140 countries and populations in industrialized and third world countries.


Does the system remove beneficial minerals? No.

How do I determine which Berkey system is right for my needs?

The most popular family models are the Berkey and the Big Berkey. The Berkey LP is popular for outdoor activities. The Berkey Imperial and Crown models are for large groups and can service 120 up to 160 people per day.

What are the limitations found in other types of water filtration systems?

     Bottled Water: Tap water is considered an acceptable source, many bottled waters contain high levels of bacteria.

     Carbon Block, paper and certain resin based filters: Most commonly used, filters are not re-cleanable, there is no feedback mechanism for filter replacement anddo not remove pathogenic bacteria. Must be replaced often to avoid bacteriological colonization of element.

     Distillation: Removes beneficial minerals from water.

     Reverse Osmosis: Removes beneficial minerals from water, does not remove pathogenic bacteria, filter is not re-cleanable, no feedback mechanism for filter replacement and reservoir tank can become a breeding ground for bacteria.

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