The Black Berkey^® water purification element formulation has been tested by State & EPA accredited laboratories to exceed EPA & ANSI/NSF (Std. 53) protocol. Click here for more info on the Berkey Black Purification Elements.

Berkey^® water filters are the World’s Most Powerful and Economical Personal Water purification Systems Providing Reliable and User-friendly Water Purification in Both Normal and Hostile Filtration Environments. Click here for more info on the Berkey Stainless Water Systems.

Moreover, Berkey^® water filters are capable of purifying both treated water and untreated raw water from such sources as remote lakes, streams, stagnant ponds and water supplies in foreign countries, where regulations may be substandard at best. So powerful, this system is able to remove food coloring from water without removing the beneficial minerals your body needs. Perfect for everyday use and a must in hostile environments where electricity, water pressure or treated water may not be available. 

Berkey^® Natural Purification Systems are the ultimate in water purification and the ideal personal protection and traveling companions. Used worldwide for normal, hostile and emergency environments to provide the purest, sparkling clean water possible...For generations, health-conscious people around the world have recognized that the foundation to a healthy life and healthy body is clean, fresh drinking water. This important essential element is the basis for enjoying your longest, healthiest life.  No amount of vitamins or supplements can substitute for the vital life-sustaining properties found in nourishing, healthful drinking water.  It is truly the foundation of life.Unfortunately, securing your access to good tasting, sparkling, wholesome drinking water can be harder than you might expect.  Water is often laced with chlorine, lead, high levels of harmful bacteria, and other unwanted chemicals and contaminants.  Frequently these produce unpleasant tastes and odors.  Even bottled water can contain these same contaminants, and moreover it is very expensive.  Other filtration systems are inferior. Most do not remove pathogenic bacteria and many remove the beneficial minerals that your body needs.Perhaps that’s why Berkey^® systems have long been recognized as the world’s ultimate in water purification.  This simple, highly effective method of using gravity was developed almost 200 years ago... yet it still produces some of the finest, most healthful drinking water available.

How Berkey^® Natural Water Purifiers Operate:To use, water is poured into the upper chamber. Gravity draws this water through the exclusive purification elements where contaminates are captured on and within theses micro-porous elements and are separated from the water. The purified water then collects in the lower chamber where it can be drawn through the spigot. What’s more, Berkey^® elements are re-cleanable and can be used over and over again.

FEATURES AND HEALTHY BENEFITS* – Berkey^® systems are far superior to other filtration systems because they remove harmful pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites as well as unhealthy chemical contaminates and impurities while leaving in the essential minerals your body needs.  Berkey^® systems produce virtually the most healthful, clean and delicious water available.*

CONVENIENT – Berkey^® systems assemble in minutes without tools, electricity, water pressure, or plumbing.  What’s more, they are simple to operate and maintain.*

ECONOMICAL – Berkey^® systems are easily the most economical water purification system you can own.  Their unique design allows you to easily remove and re-clean the purification elements over and over again.*

POWERFUL – Berkey^® systems can easily purify ordinary tap water, yet are so powerful, they efficiently purify raw, untreated water from such sources as remote lakes and streams.  What’s more, Berkey^® systems are the ideal water purification systems to have on hand in the event of natural disasters such as blackouts, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes as well as local or national emergencies when treated tap water may not be available.*

FLEXIBLE – Berkey^® systems are so convenient and easy to use, you can take them anywhere: on vacations, hunting and camping trips, college dorms and they are ideal systems for RVs and pleasure craft.*

ELEGANT – The elegant high-grade polished 304 stainless steel design makes Berkey^® systems an attractive addition to any kitchen or home yet each system is both rugged and durable. *

PROVEN HISTORY – The same high quality and effectiveness of the gravity filtration process, that is utilized in Berkey^® systems, has stood the test of time. Gravity filtration has been used by relief organizations such as UNICEF, the Peace Corps, Red Cross Societies Internationally, missionaries and relief workers in over 140 countries throughout the world. Have you ever wondered how Berkey^® purification systems remove pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites while extracting chemicals including herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, VOCs, detergents, cloudiness, silt, sediment, foul tastes and odors?  Or, how Berkey^® systems are able to reduce heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, aluminum and other dangerous heavy metals, as well as nitrates and nitrites without removing the healthful and beneficial minerals that your body needs?

And finally, how is this system is able to remove food coloring from water without removing the beneficial minerals your body needs?

The unique Berkey^® design combines the age-old process of micro-porous filtration coupled with modern state-of-the-art technology and the highest quality materials to bring you the finest water purification system available anywhere.  The micro-pores within the self-sterilizing and re-cleanable Black Berkey^® purification elements are so small that pathogenic bacteria are simply not able to pass through them. The media within the elements remove contaminants by a surface phenomenon known as “adsorption” which results from the molecular attraction of substances to the surface of the media. The exclusive purification elements are also impregnated with proprietary “absorbing” media that promote IONIC “absorption” of pollutants within the micro-porous elements. Another reason Berkey^® systems are so effective in removing contaminants from water is the extremely long “contact period”.  Other filtration systems rely on water pressure that forces water molecules through the filter elements at 60-90 PSI.  These water molecules come into contact with the filter media for a mere fraction of a second.  By comparison water molecules, passing through the “Tortuous Path” structure of the Black Berkey^® purification elements, are drawn gently by gravity and stay in contact with the media for a long period of time.  This allows the filter media to be more efficient in capturing contaminates.  For example, if you were to hurl 100 steel ball bearings at a large magnet, some would stick but most would bounce off.  However, if you were to walk over and gently place the ball bearings on the magnet most, if not all, would adhere to the magnet.  Berkey^® systems fully utilize this principle. This advanced technology was developed, refined, and proven through years of diligent, investigative research and testing performed by water purification specialists, researchers and engineers.  The flow rate or time of exposure through the exclusive Black Berkey® purification elements has been calculated to yield the greatest volume removal of toxic chemicals and pathogenic bacteria found in nature and caused by pollution from industry and agriculture.

*Free Shipping, Free Filters, No Sales Tax - We offer free shipping on all our complete Berkey water systems. Nominal shipping fees may apply on some individual parts and accessories.. Our complete systems come with yoru choice of a free Berkey item. As a bonus to you, your order will not be charged sales tax. One of the many benefits of doing business in the state of Oregon.

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Black Berkey® Purification Elements are more powerful than any other gravity filter element currently available. In fact, the Black Berkey® purification elements were tested with more than 10,000 times the concentration of pathogens per liter than is required by standard test protocol. This concentration of pathogens is so great that the post filtered water should be expected to contain 100,000 or more pathogens per liter (99.99% reduction - the requirement for pathogenic removal). Incredibly the purification elements removed 100%. Absolutely no pathogens were cultured from the effluent or were able to be detected, even under an electron microscope, setting a new standard in water purification.

Black Berkey® purification elements are so powerful, they can remove food coloring from water without removing the beneficial minerals your body needs. Virtually no other filtration element can duplicate this performance.

The powerful Black Berkey® purification elements also remove or reduce pathogenic cysts, parasites, harmful or unwanted chemicals such as herbicides and pesticides, VOCs, detergents, organic solvents, trihalomethanes, cloudiness, silt, sediment, nitrates, nitrites, heavy metals, foul tastes and odors, yet they leave in the healthful and beneficial minerals that your body need.

Berkey^® Systems are the World’s Most Powerful and Economical Personal Water purification Systems Providing Reliable and User-friendly Water Purification in Both Normal and Hostile Filtration Environments.

Moreover, Berkey^® systems are capable of purifying both treated water and untreated raw water from such sources as remote lakes, streams, stagnant ponds and water supplies in foreign countries, where regulations may be substandard at best. So powerful, this system is able to remove food coloring from water without removing the beneficial minerals your body needs. Perfect for everyday use and a must in hostile environments where electricity, water pressure or treated water may not be available. 

Berkey^® Natural Purification Systems are the ultimate in water purification and the ideal personal protection and traveling companions. Used worldwide for normal, hostile and emergency environments to provide the purest, sparkling clean water possible...For generations, health-conscious people around the world have recognized that the foundation to a healthy life and healthy body is clean, fresh drinking water. This important essential element is the basis for enjoying your longest, healthiest life.  No amount of vitamins or supplements can substitute for the vital life-sustaining properties found in nourishing, healthful drinking water.  It is truly the foundation of life.

Unfortunately, securing your access to good tasting, sparkling, wholesome drinking water can be harder than you might expect.  Water is often laced with chlorine, lead, high levels of harmful bacteria, and other unwanted chemicals and contaminants.  Frequently these produce unpleasant tastes and odors.  Even bottled water can contain these same contaminants, and moreover it is very expensive.  Other filtration systems are inferior. Most do not remove pathogenic bacteria and many remove the beneficial minerals that your body needs.

Perhaps that’s why Berkey^® systems have long been recognized as the world’s ultimate in water purification.  This simple, highly effective method of using gravity was developed almost 200 years ago... yet it still produces some of the finest, most healthful drinking water available.

How Berkey^® Natural Water Purifiers Operate

To use, water is poured into the upper chamber. Gravity draws this water through the exclusive purification elements where contaminates are captured on and within theses micro-porous elements and are separated from the water. The purified water then collects in the lower chamber where it can be drawn through the spigot. What’s more, Berkey^® elements are re-cleanable and can be used over and over again.

FEATURES AND BENEFITS
* HEALTHY – Berkey^® systems are far superior to other filtration systems because they remove harmful pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites as well as unhealthy chemical contaminates and impurities while leaving in the essential minerals your body needs.  Berkey^® systems produce virtually the most healthful, clean and delicious water available.

* CONVENIENT – Berkey^® systems assemble in minutes without tools, electricity, water pressure, or plumbing.  What’s more, they are simple to operate and maintain.

* ECONOMICAL – Berkey^® systems are easily the most economical water purification system you can own.  Their unique design allows you to easily remove and re-clean the purification elements over and over again.

* POWERFUL – Berkey^® systems can easily purify ordinary tap water, yet are so powerful, they efficiently purify raw, untreated water from such sources as remote lakes and streams.  What’s more, Berkey^® systems are the ideal water purification systems to have on hand in the event of natural disasters such as blackouts, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes as well as local or national emergencies when treated tap water may not be available.

* FLEXIBLE – Berkey^® systems are so convenient and easy to use, you can take them anywhere: on vacations, hunting and camping trips, college dorms and they are ideal systems for RVs and pleasure craft.

* ELEGANT – The elegant high-grade polished 304 stainless steel design makes Berkey^® systems an attractive addition to any kitchen or home yet each system is both rugged and durable. 

* PROVEN HISTORY – The same high quality and effectiveness of the gravity filtration process, that is utilized in Berkey^® systems, has stood the test of time. Gravity filtration has been used by relief organizations such as UNICEF, the Peace Corps, Red Cross Societies Internationally, missionaries and relief workers in over 140 countries throughout the world.

Have you ever wondered how Berkey^® purification systems remove pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites while extracting chemicals including herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, VOCs, detergents, cloudiness, silt, sediment, foul tastes and odors?  Or, how Berkey^® systems are able to reduce heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, aluminum and other dangerous heavy metals, as well as nitrates and nitrites without removing the healthful and beneficial minerals that your body needs?

And finally, how is this system is able to remove food coloring from water without removing the beneficial minerals your body needs?

The unique Berkey^® design combines the age-old process of micro-porous filtration coupled with modern state-of-the-art technology and the highest quality materials to bring you the finest water purification system available anywhere.  The micro-pores within the self-sterilizing and re-cleanable Black Berkey^® purification elements are so small that pathogenic bacteria are simply not able to pass through them.

The media within the elements remove contaminants by a surface phenomenon known as “adsorption” which results from the molecular attraction of substances to the surface of the media. The exclusive purification elements are also impregnated with proprietary “absorbing” media that promote IONIC “absorption” of pollutants within the micro-porous elements.

Another reason Berkey^® systems are so effective in removing contaminants from water is the extremely long “contact period”.  Other filtration systems rely on water pressure that forces water molecules through the filter elements at 60-90 PSI.  These water molecules come into contact with the filter media for a mere fraction of a second.  By comparison water molecules, passing through the “Tortuous Path” structure of the Black Berkey^® purification elements, are drawn gently by gravity and stay in contact with the media for a long period of time.  This allows the filter media to be more efficient in capturing contaminates.  For example, if you were to hurl 100 steel ball bearings at a large magnet, some would stick but most would bounce off.  However, if you were to walk over and gently place the ball bearings on the magnet most, if not all, would adhere to the magnet.  Berkey^® systems fully utilize this principle. 

This advanced technology was developed, refined, and proven through years of diligent, investigative research and testing performed by water purification specialists, researchers and engineers.  The flow rate or time of exposure through the exclusive Black Berkey® purification elements has been calculated to yield the greatest volume removal of toxic chemicals and pathogenic bacteria found in nature and caused by pollution from industry and agriculture. 

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The Sterasyl^™ Ceramic Shell
The Sterasyl^™ grade ceramic is designed to remove suspended solids and pathogenic bacteria (>99.99%).  The filter elements are produced using the latest ceramic techniques to provide a hollow porous ceramic, which is fired at a temperature in excess of 1,000º C.  They are designed to operate with water flow going from the outside to the inside of the element. The ceramic shell exhibits a strictly controlled pore structure, so as to provide efficient sub-micron filtration, a proven defense against hard-shelled parasites such as Cryptosporidium as well as pathogenic bacteria. The ceramic also removes other less harmful, but equally unpleasant particulate debris such as rust and dirt.

Composition of the Sterasyl^™ ceramic contains pure silver.  This silver is a material designed to significantly inhibit bacteriological mitosis or grow through. The result is that bacterial growth is inhibited from occurring within the Sterasyl^™ ceramic element (which is possible with the other ceramic filter elements).  This silver content insures that filtered water contains levels well below those required by international standards.  Because of the silver, Sterasyl^™ filter elements do not require sterilization after cleaning.

The Sterasyl^™ filter, when used in in-line housings, is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) as meeting their Standard No 42 for materials.

The Super Sterasyl^™ Water Filtration Element
The Sterasyl^™ ceramic is the ceramic shell used for the Super Sterasyl^™ filter element. Accordingly, this filter element will have, at a minimum, the filtration benefits of the Sterasyl^™ ceramic.  Additionally, the core of the ceramic shell is filled with granular activated carbon, which enables the filter to reduce chlorine and organic chemicals while improving the color, taste, and odor of the source water.  The re-cleanable Super Sterasyl^™ filter elements remove suspended solids, parasites, cysts and pathogenic bacteria (>99.99%) and reduce organic chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, organic solvents, trihalomethanes, SOCs, VOCs and foul tastes and odors. The top of the Super Sterasyl^™ element is closed with a unique ceramic dome.  This prevents the possibility of breeching (leakage), which can occur with filtration elements that are closed with a plastic cap.

PF-2^™ reduction elements are designed for use in conjunction with Black Berkey^® water purification elements to adsorb the following unwanted elements found in drinking water.
• Fluoride
•Lead
• Arsenic V and pre-oxidized Arsenic III
• Other residual heavy metal ions

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
FLUORIDE: Testing for fluoride was based on 20-30ppm of the ion in the influent aqueous solution at a flow rate of no more than 3 gpm (11 lpm) per cubic foot of media. Results of < 1ppm of the fluoride ion in the effluent were typical for the media (>95% reduction). Under optimum conditions, effluent concentrations of less than 50 ppb were readily achieved (>99.75% reduction).

ARSENIC: This product uniquely targets the entire family of arsenic oxide anions as well as the arsenic cations.

REPLACEMENT:
Under normal conditions it is recommended that each set of two PF-2^™ elements be replaced after 1,000 gallons (3,785 liters). The Royal Berkey^® system is about 3.25 gallons (12.3 liters) therefore the PF-2^™ filters should be replaced after 1,000/3.25 (3,785/12.3) or 307 refills. If the system is refilled about one time per day, the PF-2^™'s should be replaced after 10 months, if the system is refilled about twice per day, the PF-2^™'s should be replaced about every five months). Actual capacity is dependent on the presence of other competing contaminants in the source water. High levels of fluoride, arsenic and heavy metals may reduce the capacity and efficiency of the elements.
NOTES:

1) Do not boil this element.
2) PF-2^™ elements reduce filtration flow rate by 15-20%.
3) The media used in the PF-2^™ filter elements contains high-grade activated aluminum oxide, which currently is the most efficient media available for extracting fluoride from water. Below are the results we obtained when testing the PF-2^™ elements (the water was not pre-filtered through the Black Berkey^® elements). The reduction over time is due to additional residual process dust being washed free from the PF-2^™ elements as the system is used. To give a scale for comparison purposes we include test results from a national brand toothpaste and water boiled in an aluminum pan.

• National brand toothpaste 52.878 ppm aluminum
• Water boiled in an aluminum pan for five minutes: 2.791 ppm aluminum
• PF2^™ after conditioning (5 cycles): .178 ppm aluminum
• PF2^™ after 10 Cycles: .037 ppm aluminum
• PF2^™ after 20 Cycles: .029 ppm aluminum

While the above results indicate that the residual process dust adds a minute amount of aluminum to the water, the Black Berkey^® purification elements reduce aluminum from the water. We tested water that naturally contained .320ppm aluminum and filtered it through the combination of the Black Berkey^® and the post conditioned PF-2^™ filtration elements (5 cycles). The results showed a net reduction in aluminum contamination (Raw influent: .320ppm - Effluent after passing through the Black Berkey^® and PF-2^™ elements: .232ppm). In other words the Black Berkey^® elements removed more aluminum from the water than was added by the PF-2^™ elements.

designed for use with Super Sterasyl^™ ceramic filtration elements to adsorb the following four unwanted elements most commonly found in drinking water.

• MTBE (Methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether)
• Fluoride
• Lead
• Arsenic

PF-4^™ filters are also designed to adsorb:

• DBCP (Dibromo-chloro-propane)
• THMs (trihalomethanes)
• Herbicides & Pesticides 
• Heavy Metal ions

INSTALLATION:
Assemble the water filter as per the water filter assembly instruction. On the underside of the upper chamber locate the stem of each ceramic filter (do not remove the wing nut holding the ceramic filter in place). With clean hands, remove blue caps and screw a PF-4^™ filter onto each filter stem (the blue arrow should point away from upper chamber) giving five full revolutions. Do not screw more than five revolutions as this may damage the internal media screen. When complete, seat upper chamber on top of the lower chamber. Fill upper reservoir. When the lower reservoir is full, discard the first batch of water, which may contain process dust. (Note: when lower chamber is full of water, the PF-4^™ filters will be immersed).

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
MTBE: The PF-4^™ is manufactured to exceed ANSI/NSF Standard 53 which requires that MTBE be reduced by at least two thirds from an influent rate (water going in) of 15ppb to an effluent rate (water going out) of less than 5ppb (> 95% reduction*). LEAD: Tests have shown that when 2000 gallon (7,600 liters) of influent water at a concentration of lead of 150-200 ppb pass through 200 grams of media at a flow rate of 1 gpm (3.8 lpm), the lead level was reduced to less than 1ppb (>99% reduction). FLUORIDE: Testing for fluoride was based on 20-30ppm of the ion in the influent aqueous solution at a flow rate of no more than 3 gpm (11 lpm) per cubic foot of media. Results of < 1ppm of the fluoride ion in the effluent were typical for the media (>95% reduction). Under optimum conditions, effluent concentrations of less than 50 ppb were readily achieved (>99.75% reduction).

REPLACEMENT:
Under normal conditions it is recommended that PF-4^™ elements be replaced at six-month intervals (Actual capacity is dependent on the presence of other competing contaminants in the source water. High levels of total organic carbons, volatile organic compounds or certain inorganic minerals may reduce the capacity and efficiency of these elements.)*. Note: do not boil this element.

MTBE (Methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether) is the most common oxygenated fuel additive used in reformulated gasoline. Contamination of groundwater with MTBE is a rapidly growing problem in 49 U.S. states. In drinking water, even trace amounts of MTBE can cause taste and odor problems, which may lead to nausea and dizziness. The potential long-term health effects of MTBE are not understood at this time, however, initial studies indicate MTBE may cause kidney and liver problems. MTBE removal from water is a challenge because it is very soluble in water and must compete with other organics for binding sites on the filter medium. These other contaminants (BTEX - and TOC - total organic carbons) are adsorbed more readily, and MTBE often slips by standard carbon filters, ending up in the filtered water. The PF-4^™ filter has been specifically designed to remove MTBE from drinking water when used in conjunction with Super Sterasyl^™ ceramic filtration elements. The media within the Super Sterasyl^™ filters, in the upper chamber, capture the more strongly adsorbed BTEX and TOC's. This permits the downstream PF-4^™, secured as a post filter, to more efficiently remove MTBE.

Determining what the best size is for your needs:
When determining the best size for your situation, please consider that the larger the systems capacity, the less often it will need to be refilled. All of our systems are available configured with two Black Berkey^® Purification elements however; the four larger stainless steel systems are expandable which means that your first consideration should be to purchase the system, which has the capacity to best meet your groups needs. If at a later date you determine that you require more gallons per hour, you will not have to invest in another system, you can simply order additional purification elements to expand your current system.  Below is a list of our various two element systems, their capacities and the maximum number of elements each system can accommodate.

SYSTEM	TWO ELEMENTS	FULLY EXPANDED
Travel Berkey®	~1.5 GALLONS	2 Elements
Berkey Light™	~2.75 GALLONS	2 Elements
Big Berkey®	~2.25 GALLONS	4 Elements
Royal Berkey®	~3.25 GALLONS	4 Elements
Imperial Berkey®	~4.5 GALLONS	6 Elements
Crown Berkey®	~6 GALLONS	8 Elements

What is the filtration rate per hour for the various Berkey^® systems?
The chart below shows the gallons per hour for each system, when configured with two Black Berkey^® purification elements and when expanded to accommodate the maximum number of elements. Flow rates calculated with upper chamber full to top.  Flow rate decreases as water level declines.

SYSTEM	FLOW per hour	FULLY EXPANDED FLOW
Travel Berkey®	~2.75 GALLONS	N/A
Berkey Light™	~4.25 GALLONS	N/A
Big Berkey®	~3.5 GALLONS	~7.00 GALLONS
Royal Berkey®	~4.0 GALLONS	~8.0 GALLONS
Imperial Berkey®	~5.5 GALLONS	~16.5 GALLONS
Crown Berkey®	~6.5 GALLONS	~26.0 GALLONS

Free shipping to continental lower 48 states on complete systems only. Some parts and accessories may not qualify for free shipping. No sales tax except for Washington state residents.