Berkey water filters are an increasingly popular choice among those looking to reduce the chemicals and bacteria content in their drinking water, thanks to their durable gravity-fed systems which are portable and user friendly.
All Berkey systems are constructed of stainless steel and come complete with a lid, two silver chambers, black filters, spigot and fluoride filters (if applicable). No power connection is necessary – gravity alone powers this gravity fed water purification system.
Cost
Although Berkey systems don’t come cheap, they do represent significant savings over purchasing and disposing of plastic water bottles. Furthermore, they last for years while being portable enough for use anywhere there’s a source of fresh water.
Filtration systems remove pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites while leaving essential minerals for good health in the water supply. They also help reduce toxic chemical contaminants that might linger such as lead from old pipes or pesticide runoff in rural areas.
The Big Berkey system, with two filters, can filter about 6,000 gallons – enough for an average family of four to drink daily for over four years without purchasing more filters.
Ease of Setup
Establishing a filter takes only minutes; simply follow the instructions that come with the system to make sure all chambers and lids are correctly aligned and securely fastened. Before using, prime all filters prior to making their debut appearance in your environment.
Clean mineral deposits from purification elements by immersing them in a solution of vinegar and water for about an hour before placing them back into their stainless steel containers. Regular cleaning should also take place, particularly if water flow rates drop significantly – an indicator that your filter might be blocked up!
There is a range of models to suit your specific needs; simply find one with ease of pouring. A spigot may make things even simpler!
Ease of Maintenance
Berkey filters are designed to be simple to maintain, making maintenance a breeze. All it requires is periodic cleanings of its black elements with clean water to rid of accumulated sediments and pollutants that clog its micropores – using either a green nylon scrub sponge or brush before rinsing thoroughly in clean water afterwards. Also be sure to reprime your elements so as to purge any air trapped between their micropores!
To check that elements are primed correctly, fill a bucket or container with water and place the filters, with their stems facing upward. Primed elements should settle to the bottom while un-primed ones will float to the surface – you could even add a sight glass so you can monitor water levels easily.
Flow Rate
Berkey water filters differ from traditional filters by employing gravity to feed purified water from an upper chamber into a lower one – making the system easy, safe and effective – as well as being easily portable, making it perfect for disaster response and emergencies where accessing clean drinking water may be more challenging.
The Berkey water filter can be easily set up at home or on the go and requires minimal setup effort. However, its flow rate may decrease over time due to air bubbles becoming trapped within its Black Filters. If this happens to you, gently rocking back and forth can release trapped air bubbles; alternatively add an anti-airlock clip in order to boost flow rates.
Taste
A Berkey water filter is an effective and affordable way to ensure that you and your family drink safe and clean water. It filters out arsenic, hexavalent chromium (Cr6) and heavy metals like lead while also eliminating Chromium 6, linked with stomach/gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, seniors may benefit greatly from staying hydrated using such systems, as dehydration is often an issue when elderly individuals age.
Berkey systems use gravity to filter water, eliminating the need for power or pressure; making them ideal for everyday use as well as hostile environments, like relief organizations, missionaries and travelers worldwide. In fact, Berkey filters have even proven invaluable during electrical blackouts! With no power requirements or water pressure required for operation – Berkeys make filtering lake, streams or stagnant pond water effortless, eliminating the need for bottles water altogether and becoming essential components in any emergency preparedness kit.
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