According to the Smithsonian Institution’s Global Volcanism Program via the National Museum of Natural History, the most recent continuing eruption of a volcano worldwide is Ecuador’s Wolf Volcano. Wolf began erupting on January 6, 2022 and recently stopped erupting on March 17, 2022. As of Wolf’s eruption stop date, there were 48 total volcanoes reported […]
Tips & Resources
NEW Berkey Product: The Berkey® Filter Priming Starter Kit
Starting today and moving forward, April 1, 2022, every Berkey® Water Filter System will include the new Berkey® Filter Priming Starter Kit. This kit consists of: (1) Prime Rite™ Universal Adapter (Only for use with faucet) (1) Prime Rite™ Fluoride Element Adapter (1) Steel Anti-Airlock Clip (2) Red Food Dye Vials Prime Rite™ Universal Adapter […]
Using My Berkey Systems During an Emergency
When I lived in southern California, I used my Berkeys during boil water alerts, earthquakes, and for long-term camping trips. Here in Texas, I’ve used my Berkey® Water Filter Systems during blackouts, boil water alerts, and brown outs, in addition to our daily usage within our home. Whenever I’ve used freshwater sources such as lake, […]
Are the Black Berkey® Elements able to remove microscopic parasites that cause giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis?
Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis are intestinal infections caused by the protozoan parasites giardia lamblia and cryptosporidium parvum. The ailments are often caused by ingesting water or food contaminated by the feces from infected animals and humans. Symptoms of giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis can include diarrhea, gas, nausea, and cramps. The parasites are commonly found in outdoor water sources such as […]
What Can Cause My Water to Look Cloudy After Filtering Through Black Berkey® Elements?
A small number of customers have reported that their water (which was clear before filtering) appeared cloudy after filtering it through Berkey® systems equipped with Black Berkey® Elements, and in conjunction, some experience a very slow flow rate. NMCL sells a large number of Berkey® systems and replacement Black Berkey® Elements globally each year, yet isolated reports of water […]
Berkey PF-2™ Fluoride & Arsenic Reduction Elements and Activated Alumina (Aluminum Oxide)
Recently, we learned of concerns expressed online regarding the use of activated alumina in the Berkey® PF-2™ Fluoride & Arsenic Reduction Elements (PF-2s). In the name PF-2, the “PF” stands for post-filter because they are a secondary filtering media that attach directly to the Black Berkey® Elements. The misconception about the media technology used exclusively […]
Do Black Berkey® Purification Elements Reduce Bromate from Tap Water?
Bromate is a disinfectant byproduct that is formed after bromine reacts with chemical oxidants such as ozone. This process can occur during the treatment of drinking water. While New Millennium Concepts, Ltd. has not conducted specific testing for bromate, our expectation is that reduction of bromate should occur for the following reasons: Bromate (BrO3-) is […]
Are Berkey Systems able to remove Chromium 6 from water?
The short answer is Yes! Black Berkey elements have been tested to remove greater than 99.8% of Chromium 6. In fact, Both the Black Berkey purification elements and the Berkey Sport Bottle have laboratory testing, showing both Chromium and Chromium 6 reduction. It is important to note though, that not all forms of Chromium are […]
Scrubbing Your Black Berkey Elements & Shining Your Stainless Steel Berkey Water System
Our Pro-Care™ Maintenance Kit is designed for use with stainless steel Berkey® Water Systems, such as the Go Berkey Kit, Travel, Big, Royal, Imperial, and Crown Berkey Systems. In our previous post, we discussed the Flo-Duck™ Anti-Airlock Clip & Lid Holder. In this short article, we’ll discuss using the blue mini-scrub pad to clean your […]
The Flo-Duck™ Anti-Airlock Clip & Lid Holder
What is airlock & how does it happen in my Berkey® Water System? Airlock is caused when the upper and lower chambers fit together a little too snug. In technical terms, the air pressure inside the bottom chamber is lower than the air pressure on the outside. This creates a vacuum-effect, causing the water to […]
How to Collect and Handle A Water Sample
Proper collection and handling of a water sample is critical for a meaningful water test. Sample containers should always be obtained from the testing laboratory because containers may be specially prepared for a specific contaminant. Sampling and handling should be followed carefully. Water samples for bacteria tests must always be collected in a sterile container. […]
Does Your Water Look Cloudy After Filtering Through Black Berkey® Elements?
A small number of customers have reported that their water (which was clear before filtering) appeared cloudy after filtering it through Berkey® systems equipped with Black Berkey® Elements, and in conjunction, some experience a very slow flow rate. NMCL sells a large number of Berkey® systems and replacement Black Berkey® Elements globally each year, yet isolated reports of water […]
NEW Maintenance Kit Available for Use with Berkey Systems
We are happy to announce our exclusive new product, the Pro-Care™ Maintenance Kit† for use with your Berkey®‡ Water System. What’s in the kit? (1) Flo-Duck™ Lid Holder & Anti-Airlock Clip (1) Tru-Shine™ Microfiber Clean/Polish Glove (1) Easy-to-Use Red Food Coloring Dropper (1) Compact Filter Scrub Pad (1) Small Spigot Brush (1) Set of Instructions […]
When and how do I clean the Black Berkey® Elements?
The Black Berkey® Elements don’t necessarily need to be cleaned every time you clean your Berkey® unit. However, this can vary depending on your area and water source. In certain areas, the water is much dirtier than normal, and will necessitate cleaning the elements more frequently, possibly even more than cleaning the rest of the […]
Can I use my Berkey® system to filter water from my dehumidifier?
Dehumidifiers that use refrigeration will have cold metal tubes to turn water vapor from a gas to a liquid. According to the EPA, stagnant condensate water can harbor biological contaminants, including mold, mildew and algae, especially if the collection bucket isn’t cleaned regularly. These contaminants have the potential for causing diseases such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis […]
Should I disinfect raw water before filtering it with the Berkey?
How safe is it to use the Black Berkey Elements to filter raw water from freshwater sources (lakes, ponds, rain runoff, rivers, and streams)? What additional precautions, if any, should be taken such as prefiltration and/or water treatment with disinfectants before filtering through a Berkey system? I am in an area that is contaminated with […]
What Materials are used in the different Berkey Spigots?
What materials are used in the manufacturing of the Berkey® spigots and their related components? There are four different official Berkey spigots available for purchase from authorized dealers like USA Berkey Filters. The spigots are: The standard black plastic spigot used in all Berkey Stainless Steel Systems, except for the Go Berkey Kit. The standard […]
Will Black Berkey® Elements Remove Chlorine From Pool Water?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has listed the following sources as not recommended for drinking water: Radiators, hot water boilers (home heating systems) Swimming pools and spas Water from the toilet bowl or flush tank Waterbeds Swimming pools commonly contain the following chemicals and contaminants: pH increaser, pH decreaser, alkalinity increaser (sodium bicarbonate, baking […]
2 People Who NEED a Berkey (Satire)
The original title of this article was “2 People Who Should NOT Buy a Berkey” but it was shot down in our writer’s meeting. Instead, we were instructed to write this article with a more inclusive title and tone. So, here it is. (It was supposed to be submitted for approval prior to publishing…so I’ve […]
Do Black Berkey® Elements remove healthy minerals or electrolytes from the water?
The media used in the Black Berkey® Elements is not designed to remove beneficial (ionic) minerals from your water supply. These kinds of minerals can be reduced if they are in high concentration, but some will still be allowed through. No testing has been conducted for the removal rate of ionic minerals, as they are […]
A Rescue That Could Have Been Avoided
Four years ago last month, I witnessed a swift water rescue team rescue an elderly man who was stranded in a Target parking lot during Hurricane Harvey. During the first break in that never-ending storm, I hopped into my truck to survey the damage, first around my immediate neighborhood and then down the major roads. […]
Which Berkey Model is Right for My Family?
When shopping for a Berkey® system, deciding which size to purchase can be a bit of a challenge for some people. When talking with customers and helping them to determine which size might best suit their needs, we often ask questions such as… How many people will be using the Berkey system for their daily […]
5 Reasons Why 5th Wheelers Choose Berkey Water Systems
For the last few years, we have experienced a growing flood of Berkey® purchases from individuals and families who have decided to live anywhere wheels can roll! From re-purposed school buses to custom trailer builds, and from van modifications to beautiful RVs, people have just decided to bring their Berkeys along with them…and we love […]
Black Berkey® Purification Elements: The Final Barrier against PFOA and Other PFCs in Drinking Water
The following article was provided courtesy of Berkey® Water Systems, the manufacturer of Berkey purifiers and products. The EPA recently reported that drinking water supplies to more than 5.2 million Americans are contaminated with a group of toxic chemicals known as Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs); at levels higher than what the EPA deems to be safe […]