Putting together a Berkey spout is easy and quick. First, remove the two black plastic washers from the spout’s bottom and unscrew the black nut. Insert the spout into the hole at the top of the Berkey filter body.
Place the washers over the threads of the spout and secure it into the filter body with the black nut. Make sure to make the nut hand-tight only; do not over-tighten. Make sure the spout is straight and bottom of the spout is flush with the outside of the Berkey filter body.
Finally, to make the filter run properly, firmly press the spigot paddle in the fashion of an on/off switch. This will allow water to raise up into the spout’s storage tank and pour out of the spout when desired.
How do I prepare new Berkey filters?
In order to properly prepare new Berkey filters before use, you should follow these steps:
1. Begin by soaking both the upper and lower chambers of your Berkey filter system in a mixture of 1 quart (1 L) of lukewarm non-chlorinated water for 15-20 minutes. This will allow the carbon elements to absorb water, as it is necessary for proper operation.
2. Put the filter elements into the upper chamber and fill it to the top with lukewarm non-chlorinated water, making sure the elements sit in the water. Allow the water to sit in the chamber for 10 minutes.
3. During those 10 minutes, fill the lower chamber with lukewarm non-chlorinated water.
4. Unscrew the wing nuts of the Berkey filter system and separate the chambers.
5. Discard the water now in the upper chamber and place the upper chamber back onto the lower chamber.
6. Fill the upper chamber with lukewarm non-chlorinated water.
7. Remove the priming button from the side of the upper chamber and fill it with lukewarm non-chlorinated water.
8. Insert the priming button back into the upper chamber and pressure-seal it by hand.
9. Screw the wing nuts of the Berkey filter system back in hand-tight. Tighter is not better. Only tighten the wing nuts until a good seal is accomplished.
10. Start dripping water from the spigot by manually opening the shut-off valve and let it drip until the full filtered water flow is achieved. The initial flow will vary depending on the water pressure and temperature.
The flow rate will slow down after approximately 10 minutes.
11. The new filter system is now ready to operate. The clean up period for the new Black Berkey filter system may last up to 3,000 gallons (11,355 L).
12. To prolong filter life and optimize filter performance, it is recommended to clean the filter elements periodically by backwashing them with the included PF2 filter elements.
What happens if you don’t prime your Berkey filters?
If you don’t prime your Berkey filters, you may experience some leakage from the filter elements and cause water to bypass the filter media. This will mean that any contaminants contained in the water are not filtered out and will instead be passed through to the filtered water.
Additionally, if the filter elements are not properly primed, they can become clogged or blocked, reducing the flow rate of your filtered water and resulting in poor performance of the filter system.
Furthermore, due to the nature of the Berkey filter elements, which contain a reduced amount of filter media, the filter will become less effective over time if it is not properly maintained and primed.
How long can you leave water in Berkey?
The amount of time you can safely leave water in your Berkey system is highly dependant on the quality of the water before filtration, the amount of maintenance you perform on the filters, the temperature of the water and the environment it is stored in.
As a general rule of thumb, for optimal safety, it is best to not leave water in your Berkey for longer than 30 days. To ensure maximum safety and optimal taste, it is recommended that you rotate through the stored water every 10-14 days and flush out your filters every 30 days.
It is also important to note that any time the temperature of your stored water is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit it can encourage the growth of bacteria. If the temperature of your stored water is consistently above 70° F, it is recommended that you flush out your filters every 7-10 days.
If the water storage environment becomes compromised (i. e. a significant change in temperature, an increase in humidity, etc. ), it is highly recommended that you flush out your filters as soon as possible.
How long does a Berkey filter last?
A Berkey filter system should provide clean and pure drinking water for up to 6,000 gallons or approximately 5 years of typical usage before needing replacement. Replacement elements can be purchased to extend the life of the system.
The length of life will depend on the water quality you are filtering. If your water is highly contaminated, your filter may need to be changed more frequently. The Black Berkey purification elements are made from a formulation of selected activated carbon and other media that are designed to adsorb and reduce the widest range of harmful contaminants possible without removing beneficial minerals your body needs.
This means that the elements work for a longer period of time before needing to be replaced.
How often should you refill Berkey?
Berkey filters should be refilled regularly depending on your water usage and the size of the filter. For optimum effectiveness, the recommended intervals for refilling a Berkey filter vary according to the size of the filter as well as the amount of water you use.
For the Big Berkey, for example, it is recommended that you refill the filter every 3-4 weeks depending on your water usage. Smaller filters like the Travel Berkey and the Royal Berkey may need to be refilled more often to ensure optimal performance.
Also, if the water level in the upper chamber falls below the stated minimum level, it is important to refill the filter immediately.
Why does my Berkey water taste bad?
Most likely, these issues stem from either an over-exposure to chlorine or the presence of other contaminants in the water.
Chlorine is often added to municipal water as a way to disinfect it, and it can give water an unpleasant taste and odor. The level of chlorine in Berkey water may naturally decrease as time passes, as the media used in the Berkey filters has been designed to remove chlorine from the water.
If you still detect a chlorine smell or taste after longer periods of filtering, you may need to purchase additional sets of filter media.
Other contaminants in the water can also affect its taste. To ensure the water you’re filtering is clean, you should avoid using water from lakes, streams, ponds, or any similar sources without proper filtration.
Since Berkey filters are not designed to remove some pollutants, such as heavy metals, it is important to always use high-quality potable water with your Berkey filter.
If you are still experiencing bad-tasting water after changing your filter media and ensuring the water you are filtering is potable, it may be helpful to reach out to Berkey’s customer service team for additional advice.
Can you prime Berkey filters by soaking them?
Yes, you can prime Berkey filters by soaking them. This can be done by submerging the filter elements with clean water and allowing them to soak for at least 12 hours. This will help remove air bubbles and debris that can be stuck in the filters.
After 12 hours, remove the filters and shake them vigorously to remove any excess water and then re-install them in the system. This can help ensure the filters are working properly before water is passed through them.
Do you need to prime Berkey fluoride filters?
No, Berkey fluoride filters do not need to be primed. Unlike some water filter types, such as PUR, Berkey water filters are self-sterilizing and do not need to be primed. The Black Berkey Purification Elements used in Berkey systems have been independently tested and meet the NSF/ANSI Standard 53 Protocol for the reduction of certain unwanted substances such as chlorine, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals and more.
Refilling your Berkey with fresh water will initiate the sterilization process, which allows the Black Berkey Purification Elements to work effectively without priming.
What is the Berkey priming button for?
The Berkey priming button is an important component of the Berkey water filtration system. It is a simple but essential tool that helps to ensure a successful and thorough filtration process. The priming button is located on the bottom of the upper chamber and must be pressed each time before using the system.
Doing so opens a one-way valve that allows unfiltered water to enter the filter, allowing for a better and more complete filtration process. The valve prevents the water from entering any other parts of the system until the priming button has been pressed, ensuring a safe and efficient filtration process.
In addition, the priming button also helps to eliminate air bubbles that can prove to be an issue with other filtration systems. Once the priming button has been pressed, it needs to be left open until all of the air bubbles have been released from the system.
Doing so will help to improve the efficiency of the filtration process and helps to ensure that only clean, filtered water is collected and ready for consumption.
Do you have to keep Berkey filters wet?
No, Berkey filters do not need to be kept wet. To use a Berkey filter, simply fill the upper chamber with regular tap water and allow it to filter into the lower chamber. The filter elements are the active part of the filter and do not need to be kept wet since they are filtering the water as it passes through them.
Once the water has fully filtered through, the upper chamber can be emptied and the water in the lower chamber can be used. To ensure optimal performance of your Berkey filter, it’s recommended to periodically backflush the filter elements to remove any trapped sediment that may have built up over time.
This prevents the filter from becoming clogged, which could reduce its effectiveness.
How often do you have to clean a Berkey?
Berkey filters need to be cleaned every 6 to 12 months depending on the type of water being filtered, the amount of water being filtered and if it is the primary source of water. If the water has a high sediment content, the filters should be cleaned more frequently.
Unfiltered water should never sit in the filters for too long, it can cause bacterial growth. To clean the Berkey filters, start by removing them from the storage chamber and gently scrubbing them with a soft, non-abrasive brush to remove dirt and sediment.
Rinse the filters between scrubbings with lukewarm water. When finished scrubbing, replace the filters in the storage chamber and flush 3.5-4 gallons of water through the filters. This flushing process may have to be repeated more than once.
How do you store Berkey when not in use?
To store your Berkey when not in use, it is important to ensure that all of the parts are clean and dry to prevent damage from accumulations of dirt, dust, and moisture. Additionally, to prevent moisture from causing rust or corrosion on any of the components, it is recommended to store the unit with the lids open at all times.
When storing, place the unit on a flat, dry surface in a room with adequate ventilation. If storing for an extended time, it is best to cover the unit with a light cloth to protect it from dust and other environmental elements.
Additionally, to prevent any contamination, it is recommended to store the unit in a clean, dry and separate storage area away from any chemicals, hazardous material, and food items. Finally, it is advisable to periodically vacuum around and underneath the unit when storing to keep it free of dust and debris.
Do Berkey filters remove bacteria?
Yes, Berkey filters are effective at removing bacteria from water. Berkey filters use a combination of ion exchange, adsorption, and filtration to reduce contaminants from water. The Black Berkey purification elements are an effective method for removing bacteria up to 99.999%.
This includes bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Berkey filters also reduce viruses and other microbial cysts to non-detectable levels. The purification elements are tested to NSF/ANSI standard 53 to verify the claims.
This independent third-party testing ensures that the Berkey filter systems exceed water purification standards and remove bacteria efficiently.
Can I put pond water in my Berkey?
Pond water can be used with a Berkey filtration system, but you will need to modify the system to make sure it can handle the type of water you want it to filter. For instance, the Berkey water filter is designed to filter out certain contaminants from municipal water supplies, not from harboring waters such as ponds or lakes.
To ensure that your Berkey can filter out all unwanted contaminants from pond water you will need to purchase additional components such as puddles filters, additional carbon block filters, and slot filters.
With these components in place, you should be able to run pond water through your Berkey without any problems. However, it is important to remember that pond water typically carries a variety of additional contaminants that may require special filters or additional purification steps in order to remove them.
As such, it is always advisable to have your pond water tested before running it through your Berkey filtration system in order to better understand what type of contaminants you need to look out for, then use the appropriate filters to capture them.
What does Berkey filter not remove?
The Berkey filter is an extremely effective water filtration system that removes a wide variety of contaminants from drinking water sources, but it does not remove pharmaceuticals, lead, fluoride, viruses, and Rand C – Commonly referred to as Cryptosporidium and Giardia.
The Berkey filter is designed to remove a wide range of substances from drinking water including bacterial, protozoan, cysts, heavy metals, chlorine, alkaline, and industrial pollutants. It is also effective at reducing unpleasant tastes and odors from the water.
However, it does not remove pharmaceuticals, lead, fluoride, and viruses, which can all be present in water sources. Pharmaceuticals and their byproducts can be present in water sources due to improper disposal or leaching from sewage processing.
Lead is commonly found in water sources due to lead pipes commonly found in older homes and buildings. Fluoride is often added to water sources, but it can be difficult to remove. Finally, viruses, such as the virus that causes gastroenteritis, are small enough to be present in water sources and are not removed by the Berkey filter.
Is Berkey better than Brita?
The decision between the Berkey and Brita water filter systems will depend on a few key factors. Berkey is a gravity-fed system designed for outdoor use, while Brita is an electronic filtration cartridge system designed for in-home or office use.
Berkey can securely remove bacteria, heavy metals, herbicides, industrial chemicals, and thousands of other contaminants from water. Berkey filters do not require a power source and offer a long lifespan, with up to 6,000 gallons of clean drinking water and cooking.
On the other hand, Brita does not remove lead, arsenic, fluoride, and chromium from the water, making it less effective and efficient than the Berkey system. Additionally, Brita only offers a filtering duration of 40 gallons with six-month replacement intervals, while the Berkey offers six-month filtering duration and three-year intervals.
Further, Brita requires a replacement filter when the filter indicator is displayed, while the Berkey offers easily accessible filter replacements.
Overall, Berkey is often considered to be a more reliable and cost-effective option compared to Brita, but both systems offer great substitute sources of safe and clean drinking water. The ideal system for a user will depend on their specific needs and preferences.