The “Berkeys” is a gravity filter used worldwide to respond to more or less dramatic water tensions Besides, it’s not uncommon to see these filters being integrated by many international organizations to provide drinking water to medical personnel and local populations during and after a catastrophic event… And this is a sustainable way, that is to say during several years.
The Berkey eliminate or reduce an impressive variety of contaminants: Protozoa, bacteria, particles, parasites, but also industrial chemicals: herbicides, pesticides, organic solvents, arsenic III and V, fluorine, nitrates and Radon 222, heavy metals.
Here is a list of the different Berkeys:
Travel Berkey
Big Berkey
Royal Berkey
Imperial Berkey
Crown Berkey
The use of terms referring to the idea of “Kingdom” is simply related to the fact that the first Berkey filtration system was designed and built for the Queen of England.
We have personally integrated the Big Berkey for our daily water needs, and this model is the most popular today with a tank of about 7.5 liters.
All the Berkey water filtering systems are built in the same way, with two stainless steel tanks which can be nested one inside the other for an easy transport: the superior tank is used to drop your non-potable water, and the lower VAT store the filtered water.
All of them have the ability to integrate 4 coal filters (about 90 for 2 filters called “the black elements” by Berkey) in the upper bowl and 4 filters for the filtration of arsenic and fluorine (called by Berkey the “PF – 2”) in the lower bowl. However, most of the systems are used with only 2 filters, that is because the number of filters used does not influence the filtration quality but simply the speed with which the water is filtered.
The common problem with the current filtration systems that are known to all, as straw filters or bottle pump filters, is mainly the filter lifespan, especially if we have to take into account the drinking water of a large group needs. The Berkey coal filters have a lifetime of more than 23 000 liters. At the rate of 10 liters per day, here we have a life expectancy of the system of more than 6 years!
This scale in time and in numbers makes the range of the Berkey filters a relevant system as we look at the implementation of a sustainable and stable method to influence the quality of our water, SHTF or not… And it’s not a coincidence if these systems are largely integrated by most of the survivalists and preppers from around the world.
The Berkeys are gravity filters, there is therefore no handling or operation on our part to make it work, and no mechanical part can break or make default apart from the tap (store a few taps in advance). In addition to having a life service of more than 23 000 liters, these coal filtration systems are probably the most powerful on the market in terms of efficiency.
Not only is this system able to improve the quality and the taste of your daily tap water, but as a part of any type of emergency: flood, cut off of water, contamination, shortage etc… This filter will allow you to filter all the dirty water. This in an appropriate equipment for your family situation.
