The Royal Berkey Water Filter is THE trusted solution for anyone seeking clean, safe, and reliable water in everyday life or emergency situations. Designed to remove harmful contaminants like bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and pesticides, this system ensures access to purified water, whether you’re at home, camping, or facing uncertain circumstances. With its large capacity and gravity-fed design, the Royal Berkey is easy to use, requiring no electricity or plumbing, making it ideal for off-grid living and preparedness.
This post is your reference guide to understanding why a Berkey is a must have in your home.
Avoid buying from Amazon and other unvetted online sellers! Many listings on these platforms are counterfeit, offering substandard products that do not meet Berkey’s high standards for water purification.
PURCHASE ONLINE HERE & use coupon code BUCKHORN for a discount.
ALSO:
The British Berkefeld Ceramic Ultra Sterasyl Water Filter is NSF-certified and provides clean, safe drinking water by removing bacteria, chlorine, and sediment. Designed for Berkey systems, it’s a reliable replacement option, especially with Black Berkey elements currently unavailable. Durable and long-lasting, these filters are now available online, making it easy to maintain your system and ensure purified water.
Purchase Berkey Replacement Filters
And if you like the stand in the pictures and videos, it’s this.
10 Reasons the Royal Berkey Water Filter is a Must-Have
- Freshwater Filtration: Effectively purifies water from natural sources like lakes, rivers, and streams, making it a reliable option for camping, and emergencies.
- Lifetime Usage: With proper care, the Royal Berkey becomes a permanent fixture in your home, passed down through generations for clean water security.
- Durable Stainless Steel Construction: Built to last a lifetime, the Royal Berkey can withstand daily use and harsh conditions, making it a reliable family investment.
- Versatile Applications: Ideal for everyday use, outdoor adventures, and emergency preparedness, it adapts to a wide range of scenarios.
- Gravity-Fed Operation: No need for electricity or plumbing, ensuring clean water anywhere, anytime.
- High Capacity: Holds 12.3 liters (3.25 gallons) of purified water, perfect for families and groups of up to 10 people.
- Unmatched Filtration Performance: Removes over 200 contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and pesticides, ensuring safe drinking water.
- Low Maintenance: Minimal upkeep required, with cleanable, self-sterilizing filters that last up to 6,000 gallons per pair.
- Portability: Compact design and lightweight construction make it easy to transport for camping, travel, or relocation during emergencies.
- Proven Reliability: Trusted by households worldwide for decades, the Royal Berkey stands as a testament to quality and dependability.
With a Royal Berkey, you’re not just purchasing a water filter—you’re investing in long-term health, preparedness, and peace of mind for your family.
For those focused on self-reliance and being ready for anything, this filter provides peace of mind by delivering clean water when you need it most, helping you safeguard your health and stay prepared in any scenario.
In this post we’ll get into:
- What’s happening with Berkey and the EPA?
- What type of water can this filter?
- Can I use this filter every day or is it just for emergencies?
- How does the Royal Berkey Filter work?
- What’s Included with the Royal Berkey Water Purifier
- How Do the Filters in the Royal Berkey Work?
- Emergency Situations Where the Royal Berkey Water Filter is a Lifesaver
What’s happening with Berkey and the EPA?
In May 2023, the EPA issued Stop-Sale Orders to multiple Berkey vendors, claiming that the filters should be classified as pesticides. The reason? The use of silver in the filters for antimicrobial purposes allegedly qualifies them as “treated articles” requiring pesticide regulation.
This decision comes after over two decades of satisfied Berkey customers relying on these filters for clean, safe water.
Here’s a breakdown of the current situation:
- The EPA is attempting to classify Black Berkey filters as pesticides because they use silver for antimicrobial purposes.
- Berkey argues this classification is incorrect and claims the EPA bypassed proper regulatory steps.
- Testing confirms the silver in Berkey filters does not leach into the purified water, ensuring safety.
US Government Bureaucracy is trash and those bureaucrats do NOT have your best interest in mind. This is proof.
But I have good news:
You can purchase a Berkey water filter. It is the best option. And you CAN buy extra filters too.
Let’s get into it!
What type of water can this filter?
The Royal Berkey Water Filter is versatile and capable of filtering a variety of water types, including:
- Tap Water: Removes common contaminants found in municipal water supplies, such as chlorine, heavy metals, and fluoride (with optional fluoride filters).
- Well Water: Effectively filters out bacteria, viruses, and other potential impurities often present in untreated well water.
- Rainwater: Purifies collected rainwater, making it safe to drink by removing pollutants and microorganisms.
- Lakes, Rivers, and Streams: Cleans natural water sources by removing sediment, harmful pathogens, and contaminants, ideal for outdoor or emergency use.
- Stored Water: Ensures that long-term stored water is safe and free of impurities when needed.
However, it is not designed to filter saltwater, chemically polluted water, or water contaminated with petroleum products.
Can I use this filter every day or is it just for emergencies?
The Royal Berkey Water Filter is designed to be versatile, making it an excellent choice for both everyday use and emergency situations. Its gravity-fed system operates without electricity or plumbing, providing a reliable source of clean, safe drinking water regardless of the circumstances. This flexibility makes it a practical solution for a wide range of needs, including home use, outdoor activities, and preparedness for unexpected events.
For everyday use, the Royal Berkey offers peace of mind by ensuring that your household water is free from harmful contaminants like bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chlorine, which are often present in municipal water supplies. It’s also effective for well water and rainwater, making it a valuable tool for households relying on alternative water sources.
In emergencies, the Royal Berkey truly shines. Its ability to filter water from lakes, rivers, and streams makes it indispensable for off-grid living or survival situations. Whether you’re facing a natural disaster, a prolonged power outage, or an interruption in water service, this filter ensures you have access to safe drinking water when you need it most.
Its durable construction and high-capacity design also make it suitable for families or groups, allowing for sustained use over extended periods. With minimal maintenance and long-lasting filters, the Royal Berkey is a reliable, cost-effective solution for daily hydration and emergency preparedness alike.
How does the Royal Berkey Filter work?
The Royal Berkey Water Filter uses a gravity-fed system and Black Berkey® Elements to purify water effectively. Here’s how it works:
- Gravity-Fed Filtration: Water is poured into the upper chamber of the system, and gravity pulls it through the filters into the lower chamber, where clean water is collected.
- Black Berkey® Elements: These filters are the key to the system, removing or reducing over 200 contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemicals.
- Optional Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction: The system can be equipped with additional filters to specifically reduce fluoride and arsenic levels, providing further customization.
- No Electricity Required: The system works without electricity or plumbing, making it versatile for everyday use, outdoor activities, or emergency situations.
This design ensures access to safe, clean drinking water from various sources, such as tap water, well water, and even natural bodies of water.
What’s Included with the Royal Berkey Water Purifier:
- Components:
- Upper and Lower Stainless Steel Chambers
- Stainless Steel Lid
- BPA-Free Nylon Spigot
- Prime Rite™ Universal Primer
- Anti-Airlock Clip
- Testing & Accessories:
- 2 Vials of Red Dye for Filter Testing
- 1 Spare Wingnut and 1 Spare Blocking Plug
- Filters:
- 2 Black Berkey Purification Elements (last up to 22,700 liters or 6,000 gallons per pair, approximately 5-6 years for most families)
- 2 Blocking Plugs
- 1 Priming Washer
- User Guides:
- Instructions for home and backcountry use
Key Features:
- Capacity: Holds 12.3 liters (3.25 gallons) of water, suitable for families and groups of up to 10 people.
- Dimensions: Height (assembled): 59 cm (23 inches), Diameter: 24 cm (9.5 inches).
- Durability: Stainless steel construction with cleanable, self-sterilizing filters.
This package provides everything you need for safe, clean water at home or in the backcountry, with an impressive filter lifespan and robust build quality.
How Do the Filters in the Royal Berkey Work?
The Royal Berkey Water Purifier utilizes advanced filtration elements to ensure the highest quality of purified water.
Black Berkey® Purification Elements:
- Micro-Porous Filtration: These elements feature micro-pores that are so small, pathogenic bacteria cannot pass through, effectively removing harmful microorganisms.
- Adsorption and Absorption: The filters employ a combination of adsorption and absorption processes. Adsorption attracts contaminants to the surface of the filter media, while absorption captures them within the filter structure.
- Contaminant Reduction: Capable of removing or reducing over 200 contaminants, including:
- Viruses and bacteria
- Heavy metals like lead and mercury
- Chlorine and chloramines
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Herbicides and pesticides
- Longevity and Maintenance: Each pair of Black Berkey® Elements can purify up to 22,700 liters (6,000 gallons) of water. They are cleanable and self-sterilizing, providing a lifespan of approximately 5-6 years for most families.
Optional PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements:
- Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction: For those concerned about fluoride and arsenic in their water, the PF-2™ elements can be attached to the Black Berkey® Elements to further reduce these specific contaminants.
- Installation: These elements are installed in the lower chamber of the system, working in conjunction with the primary filters to enhance water purity.
By combining these filtration technologies, the Royal Berkey Water Purifier delivers clean, safe, and great-tasting water suitable for daily use and emergency preparedness.
Emergency Situations Where the Royal Berkey Water Filter is a Lifesaver
The Royal Berkey Water Filter is not just a luxury for everyday use; it’s a critical tool for emergencies. Here are the situations where it truly shines:
- Natural Disasters: Hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and wildfires can disrupt municipal water supplies, making clean drinking water unavailable. The Royal Berkey allows you to purify water from lakes, rivers, or rain collection systems.
- Power Outages: With no need for electricity, the Royal Berkey continues to provide clean water during prolonged power outages or grid failures.
- Boil Water Advisories: When local authorities declare water unsafe to drink, the Berkey ensures that harmful bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants are removed without the need for boiling.
- Off-Grid Living: Whether you’re living off the grid permanently or temporarily, the Berkey provides a reliable source of safe drinking water from natural sources.
- Survival Situations: In emergencies requiring evacuation or long-term preparedness, such as a societal collapse or resource shortages, the Berkey’s ability to filter large quantities of water ensures survival.
- Camping and Hiking: Even during planned outdoor adventures, the Berkey is invaluable for purifying water from natural sources, keeping you hydrated and safe.
- Chemical Contaminations: While not designed to filter out all chemicals, the Berkey can remove many harmful substances from compromised water supplies in emergencies.
- Pandemics and Public Health Crises: Access to clean water becomes critical when illness spreads or municipal services are interrupted.
The Royal Berkey offers peace of mind in any crisis, ensuring your family has access to safe, reliable water no matter the emergency. Its versatility and capacity make it a must-have for preparedness.
If you’re interested in the same stand we are using, we opted for this adjustable wooden plant stand. Although it is fully adjustable, we suggest leaving it at the lower height for more stability.
This would be the only component of the Berkey Water Filtration System that we can suggest purchasing from Amazon.
Purchase online here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does the Black Berkey filter remove essential minerals from water?
A: No, the Black Berkey elements are designed to leave beneficial minerals in your water. This has been independently confirmed by health professionals who have conducted their own water quality tests.
Q: Does the Berkey filter remove pharmaceuticals?
A: Yes, Berkey filters are highly effective at removing pharmaceutical contaminants, including common drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, caffeine, and various antibiotics. They eliminate over 99.9% of these substances from your water.
Q: I live in the city and don’t have access to streams or lakes. Can I still use the Berkey filter?
A: Absolutely. The Berkey system works with most freshwater sources, such as tap water, rainwater, or even muddy puddles. However, it is not designed to filter saltwater.
Q: How can I tell if my Berkey filters need replacement?
A: You can perform a simple Red Dye Test to ensure the filters are functioning properly. If the red dye passes through, it’s time to replace them.
Q: Is a Berkey filter necessary if I have well water and a built-in filtration system?
A: For us, we’ve got a VERY deep well in the mountains so it’s not necessary to filter (generally speaking). However: well water can still contain harmful pesticides, herbicides, and heavy metals due to agricultural runoff. Additionally, the Berkey system doesn’t rely on electricity, so it will provide safe drinking water even during power outages. This is water we can get from our creek if needed, this filter works perfectly.
Q: Is it safe to purchase Berkey filters from online marketplaces?
A: It’s best to avoid buying Berkey products from online marketplaces, as counterfeit filters are a known issue. For authenticity and quality, purchase directly from reputable sellers.
Q: Do the fluoride filters used with the Berkey system leach aluminum into the water?
A: No, the fluoride filters contain aluminum oxide, also known as activated alumina, which is a safe and stable material. It is not water-soluble and is completely different from pure aluminum, which can be harmful.
Q: Can the Berkey system filter out harmful bacteria and viruses?
A: Yes, the Berkey system removes over 99.9999% of harmful bacteria and 99.999% of viruses, making it one of the most effective options for both daily use and emergency situations.
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Kim
Sunday 17th of November 2024
I've been reading negative things about Berkey these days. I hear that the Water Machine is better. Any thoughts?
Rob Benson
Sunday 17th of November 2024
What things did you hear?