Healthy HomeThe Berkey Filter was one of the first things I reviewed when I started my blog in 2011. I had one wanted for for a while, and we finally were able to get one. I had to convince my husband it would be worth it, but 10 years later, our whole house loves it, and we still use it daily.
I didn’t drink tap water as a child and neither did my husband. I grew up on a 6-acre “mini” farm, and he grew up on 500 acres, so all we drank was well water. (As an aside, I’ve never had a cavity in my 32 years–despite no fluoride in my water!)
But ever since leaving home for college age 18, I’ve lived in areas with city water. And city water can be full, of, well, all kinds of yuckiness (and I think well water can as well…to be fair!). In fact, even though U.S. tap water may be safer than water in much of the rest of the world, there are still thousands of chemicals in U.S. water systems that can wreak havoc on our body systems (source).
Now, what I don’t want to do is have you freak out or feel guilty about giving your kids tap water after reading this. Not everyone can afford an expensive water filtration system.
For years, my family used a run-of-the-mill Brita water filter that we got from somewhere like Walmart. It worked OK. It filters out a few contaminants, I am sure. But did it get out everything? No…but it was better than nothing.
Why did I want a Berkey Filter?
When I first heard about the Berkey Water Filtration (on Amazon) systems, I knew I wanted one. The Royal Berkey (on Amazon) in particular is perfect for a small family:
- removes pathogenic bacteria, cysts and parasites entirely
- extracts harmful chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides, VOCs, organic solvents, radon 222 and trihalomethanes
- reduces nitrates, nitrites and unhealthy minerals such as lead and mercury
- can even remove red food coloring!
- even when removing harmful pathogens, etc., it does not remove beneficial minerals
- made of highly polished stainless steel
- comes with two purification elements
- storage capacity of about 3.25 gallons (12.3 liters)
- purifies up to 4 gallons (15.1 liters) per hour
My husband wasn’t easy to convince that we needed a Berkey (on Amazon). We started to save some of my blog money to purchase one.
I have been so impressed! The filter stands up on our counter, and although it does take up quite a bit of space, we’ve found the perfect spot for it in the corner of our bar. The water does filter pretty slowly, but the water pressure from the tap is very good.
As a family of two adults, two kids and a baby, we have to fill it about once every day and a half. (We probably should fill it every day! We need to drink more water!) Note: We are now a family of 6 and go through it much quicker. If you have more than 4 people drinking water, then I would highly recommend the Imperial or Crown.
Our kids take turns filling it up as part of their daily/weekly chores.
My husband said that one thing he noticed was that our regular tap water both smells and tastes chlorinated when compared to the water from the Berkey (on Amazon). He had not noticed this before, but he does now.
I have noticed that I am actually drinking MORE water. I think I had kind of an aversion to our drinking water before because in the back of my head I knew it wasn’t the best for us.
Can the Berkey filter fluoride? 
We started out with just the regular Berkey filters, and a few years ago we added the fluoride filters (on Amazon). These white filters screw into the black filters and add an extra layer of filtration.
We avoid fluoride for various reasons, including the fact that it is a know endocrine disrupter. (source). Fluoride has also been known to cause thyroid issues because of how it interacts with iodine (source). Since I already have problems with my thyroid, we are avoiding it in our water.
What do we like about the Berkey?
To break it down to the basic of why we like our Berkey:
1) The water is clean. We can definitely tell a difference when we drink water from our tap that is not filtered from the Berkey.
2) The water is safe. We know that Berkey removes so many harmful contaminants. We feel safe knowing we are drinking clean water.
Emily
I really want one but they don’t ship to Cali. That makes me sad hope they start soon!
Erin Stewart
Emily, they actually do have some items they’ll ship to us out here in CA. =) http://www.directive21.com/why-berkey-products-cannot-be-shipped-to-california/
Erin Stewart
I am so beyond excited about this giveaway. I recently learned about their products and my husband and I have been wanting to get one. Thank you for hosting the giveaway! =)
Holly Malinowski
Oh this would be a dream come true,they are amazing,I would love one!!!Thanks for the chance to try!!!!
Kaylee
This is an amazing giveaway! My family would truly, truly be appreciative for this. Thanks for the chance! 🙂
Amy
I couldn’t figure out how to follow LPC on Pinterest?
Andrea Mendenhall
Thank you for this opportunity to win one of these beautiful Berkey water filters. Some of my friends have them and give them high praise!
Melissa
I read your post and one of the bullet points mentions that it removes red food dye and to check out what happened when your friend Katie tried it…but I can’t see how to check! Am I missing something or is there supposed to be a link there? Thanks for the great info, by the way. I have well water and I still wonder if we would benefit from a filter because environmental pollutants are so rampant everywhere!
Erin
I’m so sorry! I added the link in! And I do think a well water house would also benefit!
Naomi
We need this SO badly! Thanks for the giveaway! Can’t wait to win it, *wink, wink* 😉
Paula
This would be great!!!
Olga St. P
Great post, thanks! I have been thinking about a whole house filter and a filter for our shower in our bathroom. Have you done any research on which companies and filters may be the best choices? I am looking for a shower filter that stays on and I can remove the handle to wash my girls’ hair. Everything I have seen so far is just a filter with a shower head, but no option with a handle. Suggestions for the right direction? Thank you in advance!
Robin R.
Ohhhhh, yay! Our family of six has had the Berkey w/the add-on flouride filter on our “wish” list for some time now. We would love to win this awesome blessing!
Laura in IL
We would love to win this filter! 🙂 thank you for your post about it!
Katie
I had a terrible time with the taste of water when I pregnant… even the filtered water from our fridge. My husband and I have discussed getting a water purification filter next time we are expecting. It would be great to win one!
Brenda J
I also can’t figure out how to follow on Pinterest. I’d love to win one of these!
Maribeth Uhlenhopp
I worry about what lurks in the tap water…even after it goes through our Brita! I’m saving my pennies to buy one…
Thanks!
Susan Alexander
I would really like to enter, but the form isn’t showing in my browser? 🙁
Christy
It’s not showing up for me, either. Weird — I don’t usually have a problem with these.
Susan Alexander
Finally figured it out – unlike most of these you have to click the link….
That said, now I can’t figure out how to follow LPC Survival on pinterest 🙁
Nikki Robinson
Pick me, please!!!
Nikki Robinson
Pick me, please!!
Ghada
I been wanting one of these for a while now but can’t afford it yet! I love the regular filter plus the fluoride & shower filters.also the sport drinking bottle 🙂
Brenda
I would love to have the Royal Berkey so much(!!!), but California won’t allow it.
Jessica
I’m not seeing the Rafflecopter widget to enter…
Susan Alexander
I finally figured out that you have to click the link!
Angela Anthony
Oh, would this be awesome to have!!
grams
Would love to be able to drink good water.
vicki
Would so love to have this! What a blessing!
Kristin Stauffer
there is no widget 🙁
Kristin M
I would love to win this. We have well water, but it is terrible
p lwas
our well water is so bad, we have to buy water to drink and cook with this Berkey Water Filtration System would be a Hod send to us
Courtney Tucker
There is no follow button on Pinterest, have looked everywhere…did everything else though, thank you.
Pam T.
I’ve been wanting a good filtration system for our family.
Kristina
Thank you for hosting the giveaway!! However, I couldn’t figure out how to follow them on Pinterest. The link shows posts shared from them and their website link does, too, but I can’t see a way to actually follow.
Kari
Having two children with Autism and other special needs, this system would be such a blessing to our family as they need these toxins removed from their world. I entered.
Ericka Blythe
🙂
Bekah
The apartment building where we live is pretty old and has pipes to match. The water quality is iffy at best. We have a Brita filter, which is the best we can afford at this point, but I would love something that would do a more thorough job of cleaning up our water.
theresa hays
I live in tampa which rates a 3 out of 50…50 being the best. It frightens me out of my wits and I would love to own this filtration system. It would give me so much peace of mind…
Kristin Stauffer
has the drawing been done?
[email protected]
I love this water filter much but it seems late for me to join the contest.