COMMON QUESTIONS

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WHAT IS A BERKEY WATER FILTER?

Berkey Water Filters are the world's most efficient and cost-effective personal water purification systems available. Theyuses gravity water filtration technology to remove toxic elements, parasites, bacteria and hundreds of other contaminants from water without removing the beneficial minerals, and without the use of any electricity.

HOW DO BERKEY FILTERS WORK?

Berkey systems have a very simple design that uses only gravity to power the filtration process.

Berkey systems have 2 chambers: an Upper chamber and Lower chamber. The upper chamber will contain either the Berkey Black elements (filters) or Berkey Earth Ceramic filters.

The lower chamber may contain no filters, but also allows for either the PF-2 or PF-4 flouride and arsenic filters to hang down from the upper chamber filters.

When your Berkey is set-up with the filters in place and upper chamber sitting properly on the lower chamber (and you have primed the filter), you simply fill the upper chamber with water from your tap/source and allow gravity to drive the water through the filters to the lower chamber.

Berkey filters are made of a proprietary blend of materials that create a microfiltration system that removes a number of harmful contaminants and pollutants. Berkey filters are embedded with silver to allow the filters to self-sterilize from the filtration process.

Berkey systems do not require power or energy of any kind to completely purify your water.

For a complete description of how, read here.

WHAT DO BERKEY WATER FILTERS REMOVE FROM WATER?

Viruses, pathogenic bacteria, Triahlomethanes (Chloroform, etc), Inorganic Minerals (Chlorine, etc), Heavy metals (aluminum, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, etc), Pharmaceutical drug contaminants (Acetaminophen, caffeine, bisphenol A, naproxen sodium, progesterone, etc), Pesticides (Glyphosate, etc) and [semi] Volitile Organicx Compounds [VOCs].

Berkey filters remove or reduce Arsenic, E. Coli, PCB’s, petroleum products, rust, foul tastes and odors, etc.

For a full list, please visit this page

WHAT BERKEY SYSTEM IS RIGHT FOR ME?

This depends on how many people that will be using the Berkey system, how much water you drink, and whether you will use it at home or on the go.

From smallest to largest they are ranked as follows: Go, Travel, Big, Light, Royal, Imperial, Crown.
Larger systems can not only hold more water in the reservoir, but can also house more filter elements (up to 8) which results in faster filtration and longer filter lifespans.

Most systems are meant for home set-up and stationary use. Go Berkey is portable qnd meant for travel. Berkey Light is also portable, sturdy and perfect for camping, travel, etc.

DOES SIMPLY BERKEY OFFER GIFT CARDS?

Yes! You can purchase gift cards for any amount by emailing our support at info@simplyberkey.ca.

Simply Berkey gift cards make great ideas for people you love who you know would benefit from Berkey water filters!

Gift cards can be used for anything on the Simply Berkey website.

WHAT IS YOUR RETURN POLICY?

Simply Berkey rarely gets return requests on our Berkey products, but sometimes people realize that they have purchased the wrong size and would like to exchange their Berkey (usually they realize they want a larger system!). Simply Berkey will accept the return of an unopened/unassembled Berkey products at full purchase price value minus re-stocking and shipping fees totaling 20% if the request is made within the first 30 days after purchase. Simply Berkey will accept the exchange of a unopened/unassembled Berkey products at full purchase price value minus shipping cost if the request is made within the first 30 days after purchase.
All requests for returns and exchanges greater than 30 days after purchase will be denied.
For damaged products, see our warranty policy.
You must contact us by phone or email to get a return authorization from us prior to returning the goods. Return shipping to Simply Berkey is at the buyer’s expense unless there was an error made by us.
Once we receive the returned order from you, we will inspect the goods and if they are unused and returned in the original retail box/packaging, we will reimburse 80% of what you paid for returns and 100% of what you paid for exchanges, less outbound shipping charges we incurred in sending you your order. If an item is returned used or damaged by personal handling and not returned in re-saleable condition, we will evaluate the condition of the returned product and offer you a percentage of what you paid minus shipping charges. If a product is returned to us damaged, opened, assembled, or used in any way, we reserve the right to deny the return/exchange in full.
Refunds in the first 30 days after the purchase date will be reimbursed on the credit card that was used for the original purchase, otherwise, payment will be sent by e-transfer/Interac payment.

CAN I RUN SALT WATER THROUGH BERKEY FILTERS?

No. Unfortunately, salt water can ruin the Black Berkey Elements and clog the filters to an irreparable degree. Removing high amounts of salt, such as you would see in ocean water, would require some form of distillation prior to going through Berkey filters.

WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN OF BERKEY FILTERS? WHEN WILL I NEED TO REPLACE FILTERS?

Each Berkey Black Element (filter) is designed to filter 3,000 gallons, or about 11,000 liters of water. This may vary depending on the quality of contaminants present in your water source.
The lifespan of the filter will then depend on how much water you filter each day.

If your household consumes 10 liters per day, a set of 2 black elements (2*11,000=22,000 liters) will last you about 2200 days, or 6 years!

Compared to paying for bottled water, Berkey filters have incredible value.

Over time the Berkey filters will slow down and may require cleaning. If cleaning does not change the filtration speed and you have had you filters for a few years, it may be time to replace the filters.

DO I NEED TO ADD MINERALS BERKEY FILTERED WATER?

Typically not. One of the most unique benefits of Berkey filters compared to reverse osmosis filters and diltillation techniques is that Berkey filters do not remove beneficial minerals from the water. While Berkey filters remove harmful heavy metals like lead and mercury, beneficial minerals are left in the water. So there is no need to add minerals stones to the water after filtration.
Some people may choose to do so anyway to increase the nutrition of the water they drink depending on the water source, but it is not necessary.

DO BERKEY FILTERS AFFECT PH OF FILTERED WATER?

Yes, to a small degree. Because Berkey filters remove such a high percetage of many harmful contaminants and agents in water, most of which tend to be acidic in nature, the pH of water may be affected. The Berkey purification process may raise the pH of the water anywhere from 0.5 - 1.0, making the water more alkilinic.

While there is research stating more alkilinic water has health benefits, the results are mixed.

Alkilinic water tends to be sweeter and preferrably to many people.

If increasing the Alkilinity of your water is something that is important to you, you can add baking soda, lemons, or alkiline drops to your water. Just make sure to test the p before and after. Also make sure to only add Alkalizing agents afte water has been filtered through your Berkey to ensure you are not clogging the filters moe than necessary.

WHAT ARE THE VARIOUS KINDS OF FILTERS- BLACK, EARTH, FLUORIDE...?

Berkey Black elements: These are the classic and prototypical Berkey filters. They are the flagship filter for Berkey Systems and are the top quality gravity filter in the world. They remove >99.9% of many, if not most, contaminants and pollutants in the water.

Berkey Earth CeramicElements- These are a lower cost yet still highly effective water filter that removes contaminants at nearly the same rate as Black elements. They have a shorter lifespan than Black elements but are a little more durable and may be more suitable for those who are often packing up and traveling.

In short, Black elements are better for removing viruses, longevity, speed of filtration, and cost-effectiveness.

For removing Fluoride and arsenic, Black elements need to be paired by the PF-2 filters, while Berkey Earth ceramic elements need to be paired with the PF-4 filters.

HOW MANY FILTERS COME WITH MY BERKEY?

Every Berkey system, except for Go Berkey, comes standard with 2 Black purification elements (or 2 Earth Ceramic filters). Additional filters, which are purchased in pairs, are available for purchase to increase the life span and filtration speed of your Berkey System.

Travel Berkey has the capacity for 2 filters. Berkey Light, Big and Royal Berkey's have the capacity for 4 filters, Imperial Berkey's can house up to 6 filters, and Crown Berkey's can house a maximum of 8 filters.

HOW FAST DOES THE BERKEY SYSTEM PURIFY WATER?

Because Berkey filters are 100% gravity fed, the speed of filtration depends on 2 main factors: number of filters installed, and the volume of water in the upper chamber. Having excessively contaminated water and filters nearing the end of their life will also slow down filtration. Installing PF-2 or PF-4 fluoride filters will also slow filtration.

Obviously, more filters equals faster filtration. In addition, more water in the upper chamber results in faster filtration due to more weight/pressure forcing water through. As the water is filtered down into the lower chamber, the speed of filtration decreases (i.e. full chamber equals maximum speed and 1/4 full chamber equals extremely slow filtration).

Speed of filtration ranges from 10.4 l/hr in a full Travel Berkey to 30.3 l/hr in a 4 -filter Royal Berkey to 98.4 l/hr with a Crown Berkey with 8 filters installed.

See individual specs in each product description.

DO BERKEY FILTERS REMOVE GLYPHOSATE?

Yes.

Glyphosate has become a topic of discussion in drinking water as it is commonly used in argiculture. It is often found in water and run-off from farms and even in small amounts after going through treatment facilities. There is some evidence that Glyphosate may cause various disease processes via acute or low-dose chronic exposure.

Berkey filters remove >75% of Glyphosate in water

CAN I PUT BOILING, HOT OR COLD WATER THROUGH BERKEY FILTERS?

Cold and warm water are safe to put through Berkey filters. However, it is advised that you do not put hot or boiling water through Berkey filters. The hot water can be damaging to the Berkey filters and render them unusable.

CAN I USE BERKEY FILTERS WITH A WATER SOFTENER SYSTEM?

It is not recommended to use Berkey System with a water softener system. While the Berkey filters will remove heavy metals, they will not remove mineral salts, which are often added with water softener systems. The mineral salts added from the water softener will clog the micropores of the Berkey filters and ruin them.

If you would like to use a Berkey system with a water softener system, a bypass system should be used so that any water that is run through a Berkey filter has not also been run through the water softener.

WHAT IS YOUR SHIPPING POLICY?

We offer free shipping via Canada Post in Canada on *all orders* over $150. This means if you order any Berkey System you will receive free shipping. Other orders of filter pairs or accessories must total >$150 in order to receive free shipping. Orders <$150 will have shipping costs added to purchase price.

We also offer physical pickup of your purchase at our physical location in Medicine Hat, Alberta for all local buyers and passers-through. We would be more than happy to visit with you in person and be able to see you receive you your first Berkey in-person.

*Free shipping is available to most locations. More remote regions may require an additional charge. If you are not sure, please contact us via email and we will go over different options with you.

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Common Questions: FAQ