There are various plastic materials that can be leeched into water and the most common are BPA ( Bisphenol A) and 1,1-Dichloroethane (11-DCA). The Black Berkey elements have been tested to remove both of these plastic materials. Please refer to our lab testing results by clicking here
Category: Black Berkey® Elements FAQ
Do your Black Berkey® Elements filter out all the drugs/pharmaceuticals that are in our city-water?
We have no way of knowing exactly what potential contaminants may be in each person’s water supply. What we do know is that our Black Berkey® Elements filter out numerous pharmaceutical drugs and endocrine-disruptors (EDCs); such as BPA, Naproxin, Octylphenol, Progesterone, THM’s and many more. Please click here to view some of our most recent […]
What happens if I use my Black Berkey® Elements after 3,000 gallons?
We determine the typical lifespan of the Black Berkey® Elements by their ability to reduce heavy metals. The breakthrough of heavy minerals can occur at about 3,000 gallons. Heavy metals can leach through beyond 3,000 gallons. However, the elements can be used beyond that point because other reductions continue well beyond 3,000 gallons.
Do the Black Berkey® Elements remove Chloramine?
Yes, our Black Berkey® Elements do remove Chloramine. Please click here to see the attached test results.
Do your Black Berkey® Elements and Super Sterasyl™ Elements reduce fluoride in the water?
No, in order to reduce fluoride in your water, you will still need to use post filters that work in conjunction with the filters in your system. We have two types of post filters: the Berkey PF-2™ Elements which are used in conjunction with the Black Berkey® Elements, and the Berkey PF-4™ Elements that are […]
How often do the Black Berkey® Elements need to be replaced?
We recommend replacing Black Berkey® Elements every 3,000 gallons (6,000 per set of 2 elements). Elements may require replacement sooner based upon the quality of influent water.
How can I tell if my filters are working correctly?
The Black Berkey® Elements are powerful enough to remove red food coloring from water. Performing a red food coloring test on your Black Berkey® Elements allows you to ensure that your system is operating properly. GUIDELINES We recommend this test be done upon first use, and then every three to six months to ensure the […]
Can I use the Berkey® system with softened water?
The Black Berkey® Elements are designed to remove heavy metals, but will not remove mineral salts, which are added by a water softener. The salt used to soften water will not be extracted by the Black Berkey® Element. You can use one of our filtration systems on a regular basis by bypassing your water softener […]
What is the TDS reading of clean drinking water?
A TDS meter does not register much of a change between the pre-filtered water and the post-filtered water. This is normal, and the answer has to do with what a TDS meter actually measures. According to tdsmeter.com, “Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) are the total amount of mobile charged ions, including minerals, salts or metals dissolved […]
What should I do if the flow rate in my system is very slow?
If you just purchased your Berkey® system and the filters are hardly filtering water, the problem is typically due to high water tension. This high water tension prevents the air from being purged from the micro pores of the new filtration elements. Your Black Berkey™ elements need to be primed to purge this air out […]