Clean drinking water doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of precision engineering, scientific innovation, and one tiny but essential concept: the micron. Whether you’re researching gravity-fed filters for your home, prepping for emergencies, or simply curious about how water purification works, understanding micron filtration is key.
This guide explains filter pore size, how filtration removes different contaminants, what a micron measures, and why it all matters when choosing a water filter like our Berkey Water Filtration Systems.
What Is A Micron?
A micron, short for micrometer, is one-millionth of a meter (1 µm = 0.000001 meters). To put it into perspective, a human hair is about 70 microns wide. A red blood cell? Around 6 to 8 microns. Many contaminants in untreated water are even smaller.
In water filtration, the micron rating tells you the size of particles the filter can trap. This measurement is the foundation of how filters are rated, categorized, and compared.
Micron Filtration & Pore Size: Why It Matters
Filter pore size is what defines a filter’s capability. It controls what stays in your water and what gets removed. Water filters often specify their micron rating to communicate their filtration prowess.
A submicron filter, for example, offers superior filtration by capturing exceedingly small particles. Filters with smaller micron ratings tend to remove more contaminants, ensuring cleaner water.
What Does MERV Tell Us About Particle Size?
While this article focuses on clean water science, understanding air filtration helps reinforce how micron-based ratings work. The MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) shows how effectively an air filter captures particles between 0.3 and 10 microns.
Although MERV applies to air rather than water, the principle is identical. Filtration is more effective when pore sizes match or are smaller than the particles you want to remove. In water filtration, we apply the same standard: choosing filters rated in microns ensures that water contaminants, from sediment to pharmaceutical contaminants, are properly addressed.
For full details, see this Environmental Protection Agency overview of MERV ratings.
Particle Size & Contaminant Removal
For effective contaminant removal in water, your filter must operate at or below the size of those threats. To help visualize what filters can remove, here’s a quick micron size comparison:
- Sediment (dirt, rust): 2–50 microns
- Bacteria: ~0.2 to 10 microns
- Parasites (like Giardia): ~1 to 15 microns
- Viruses: ~0.004 to 0.1 microns
- Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals: Often submicron or molecular level
Water Purification: From Source To Safe Drinking Water
Whether you’re filtering tap water, river water, or rainwater, understanding how water gets purified is key to choosing the right filtration system. The process typically involves:
- Coarse Filtration: Removes sediment and visible particles.
- Fine Or Submicron Filtration: Captures pathogens, chemicals, and toxins.
- Polishing Stage: Further improves taste and overall purity.
How Filters Work: The Filtration Process Explained
Modern filter technology uses a blend of methods to clean water effectively:
- Mechanical Filtration: Acts like a sieve to block particles based on size.
- Adsorption: Uses activated carbon or other materials to attract and bind chemical contaminants.
- Ion Exchange: Targets heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
- Biological Barriers: Some systems are designed to remove bacteria and viruses without chemical treatment.
Filter Performance & Efficiency
Filter efficiency is a combination of how much a filter removes, how quickly it works, and how long it lasts. Performance depends on:
- Micron Rating: Determines what contaminants are removed.
- Flow Rate: A balance between speed and thoroughness.
- Capacity: How much water it can purify before replacement.
Higher-efficiency filters like Berkey’s Black Berkey Elements achieve submicron filtration without compromising flow rate, making them a trusted choice for both everyday use and survival situations.
Sediment Vs Pathogen Filtration
There’s a big difference between removing visible dirt and invisible threats. Here’s how filtration types compare:
- Sediment Filtration: Captures large particles like sand, silt, and rust. Usually rated 5 microns or above.
- Contaminant & Pathogen Filtration: Targets bacteria, viruses, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. Requires submicron or advanced filters.
Gravity Filter Science: A Natural Approach
Berkey systems use gravity filtration to purify water without electricity. Water flows from an upper chamber, through the filter elements, into a lower reservoir, powered only by gravity. This method offers:
- Energy Independence: No power required.
- Portability: Ideal for RVs, vanlife, off-grid cabins, and emergencies.
- Reliability: Fewer moving parts mean fewer points of failure.
Berkey Filtration System: A Benchmark For Clean Water
Berkey’s multi-stage system is engineered for advanced filtration. The Black Berkey Elements feature a submicron filter design and powerful adsorption properties to remove over 200 contaminants:
- Sediments & Foul Tastes
- Chlorine, Pesticides, & VOCs
- Heavy Metals (Lead, Mercury)
- Pharmaceuticals & Microplastics
Embrace Water Purity With USA Berkey Filters
Understanding micron filtration gives you the power to choose a system that matches your health standards, water source, and lifestyle. Berkey’s gravity-fed filters remove contaminants down to the submicron level, offering real protection for people who expect more than just “good enough.”
Secure the safety and purity of your drinking water today by investing in state-of-the-art Berkey filtration systems.
