I tested a Berkey... and can’t believe what I found

We put a Berkey water filter system to the test using a certified third party laboratory. We tested two different samples of water: 1) municipally treated city water, and 2) untreated pond water. In this video, Brian goes over the test results data in detail and discusses an anomaly that was found.

‼*Correction* Two contaminants were actually reduced by more than what is mentioned in the video (apologies for any confusion):
- Sulfate was reduced by 90%
- Iron was reduced by 70%

This video is NOT sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

📒 Show Notes 📒

3️⃣ Better Filters for Fluoride Removal

4️⃣ Our lab reports

⏰ Chapters ⏰
0:00 I tested a Berkey... and can’t believe what I found
0:36 How We Tested
2:07 Our Sampling Process
2:28 City Water Test Results
4:52 Pond Water Test Results
5:29 Conclusions

Here are the other ways we can help you with your water situation:

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🙋‍♂️ QUESTION — Have a question about Water Quality, Contaminants, Treatment, or Anything Else? Post in the comments section of this video!

Additional images: “Activated alumina” by GOKLuLe 盧樂 licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

#berkey #berkeywaterfilter #berkeyfilters #waterfilterguru

[waterfilterguru]

‼**Correction** Two contaminants were actually reduced by more than what is mentioned in the video (apologies for any confusion):
- Sulfate was reduced by 90%
- Iron was reduced by 70%

[silverclouds]

These types of evaluations are what keep manufacturers honest!!

[micheledigenova]

Thanks for putting this filter to the test. The low 50% reduction of fluoride was a shocker. And the filter adds aluminum to the water? OMG! A leaching filter? Forget it! Good job Water Filter Guru!

[thekycoffeebean]

We used to sell the Berkey but when they moved their call center to India and started the not so good business practices we drop them. Another thing is to keep in mind their certification is over a decade old, or it was when we sold them. Thanks for your time in doing this kind of research.

[henrycathy]

I had my Berkey water here in Kentucky from local tapwater (fluoridated and chlorinated) tested by Simple Lab, a seperate test for the tap water and Berkey water. I am using two black filters and two white PF2 filters (four years of use, aprox. 1600 gallons, and two PF2 filters, aprox. 180 gallons through them) and NO aluminum or fluoride or chlorine was detected in the Berkey water. Overall Tap Score was 94 for the Berkey water.

[begoodbebetterbeblessedix]

I used to work at a water treatment purification company moons ago. Nice job sir on getting to the bottom of safe water...or not so good n safe. As for a bit of humor, I was told by my boss (president of co) that if you spell out Evian backwards, that is who you are when buying their water and what the company thinks of you.

[artcook]

I my self hv used the Berkey filter over 40 yrs, I spent many yrs traveling in and out Asia most in Cambodia , and most outsiders get direaia from the water , I use my Berkey filter I never had a problem , even deep in the jungle I hv poured swamp water in my Berkey with dead bugs and fish bad smells , run though my Berkey I never had a problem , they hv been very good for me , I'm 80 and healthy 😊😊

[eyeOOsee]

Thank you for doing this video!
From the time Berkey came out, I've always heard that the fluoride filters use aluminum to remove the fluoride, and it is suggested you use the fluoride filter before you use the black filter. However, the the system hooks up the fluoride filter last!
I think it is a design flaw. They should redesign the filters so you can pre filter fluoride first.
Thanks again for posting this video! 👍👍👍

[keh-dalia]

This is crazy! Been using a Berkey for a while here in Colorado, I personally feel that the black filters are making the water taste way better, but it's good to know all this.

[QuaabQueb]

Interesting video, would love to see a series on the reverse osmosis type "under the sink" style filters. There are many on the market that come with a series of different filters, as well as re-mineralizing post filters. My concern has always been the quality of filters and if they are actually doing more harm than good.

[jamesgeis]

I used to have the Berkey fluoride filters, but they are literally just canisters of aluminum particles which bind with fluoride, and you could taste the aluminum in the water. It has a sweet taste, like an artificial sweetener. Berkey says you are supposed to run a bunch of water through the filters to avoid this, but I got rid of the fluoride filters and just use the black ones now.

[gdiana]

keep up the good work! i was shocked to find out, not long time ago, how littleeee info and research, or content is out there regrading such an important, basic and essential subject. water is life and we need to stop wasting those two

[PJAndersson]

Wow. This was so good to see. I’ve been using a Berkey for 2 years and started having issues with UTIs and kidney infections that started out of the blue. After analyzing everything that could be contributed to this the only thing that could be causing was my Berkey. I stopped using it and the problem went away.

[justicewokeisutterbs]

Late to the party here. I know nothing about this subject but am always up for learning something new. Also I'm encouraged to see a young person who is into practical science. We need as many as we can get. 😎👍

[AydaWalsh]

Thank you for this! Keep it up! Our waters are so important for our health and I appreciate all the work you are doing!!

[gumphs]

I've used a Berkey for years. Now I have found extremely high levels of aluminum in my blood. Not sure how it is going to pan out but it seems that Berkey is the only source for exposure that makes sense in my case. Keep you posted but also, THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS RESARCH!

[neilaleksandrov]

Great Job! Appreciate the info on the PF 2 filters... this is a great example of limitations of Berkey filtration system... kind of crazy considering the very expensive prices on them

[kathleenrutherford]

Thank You for taking the time to do this.
I am extremely grateful for your time, video, and knowledge.
Awesome

[lovely-mkrt]

Clean water matters. A LOT! Thank you for doing these tests and posting the results. Much appreciated

[thymeparzival]

Video Summary:
The video describes a test conducted on Berkey water filters using samples from two locations in Colorado. Their goal was to objectively test the filters and not back up Berkey's contaminant removal claims. They used Simple Lab's product, TapScore, for third-party lab testing. The results showed that the filters had an issue with the PF2 fluoride filters, and the actual fluoride reduction rate fell far short of the claims made by Berkey. The Black Berkey filters were good at removing heavy metals, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria, but a couple of heavy metals were not reduced by as much as they were expecting. The video provides limited information about Berkey's filter capacity and lifespan, and they need to conduct further testing to verify Berkey's performance and filter lifespan claims.