Berkey Water Filter Review After 5+ Years

I've been using a Berkey Water Filter for over five years. Here's my review.

Why You Need a Water Filter

My city tap water is clear. It doesn't have a funky smell. So I don't need a filter. Right??

That's what I thought. Then I did a search of my zip code in this water database. It showed that my tap water has 33 contaminants including arsenic, aluminum, cyanide, and chloroform. You can search your zip code here.

A peer-reviewed study by EWG researchers found that a toxic cocktail of chemical pollutants in U.S. drinking water could result in more than 100,000 cancer cases over a lifetime. (source)

A water filter can protect your family from these contaminants. A quality filter can remove:

Heavy Metals:
- Lead, mercury, and arsenic can leach into water from old pipes and industrial pollution.
Microorganisms:
- Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can sometimes survive treatment processes.
Chemicals:
- Chlorine, pesticides, and pharmaceutical residues can remain in tap water.
Sediment and Particles:
- Rust, dirt, and other particulates can enter the water supply through aging infrastructure.

A Berkey filter does all that and while leaving the minerals we want to keep in the water!

My Berkey Experience After 5+ Years of Use

When I open the top of the filter to fill with tap water, there is a noticeable chlorine smell. When I pull the top chamber off to see how much filtered water is available, there is no smell! It's just pure, clean water!
Cleaning:
- I clean the outside of chamber a few times a month just to keep it nice and shiny. I use the same cleaner I use on my kitchen counters. I use Thieves Household Cleaner but you can use whatever you use to clean your kitchen.
- I clean the inside of the chamber about every 2-3 months with the same kitchen cleaner.
- I clean the filters about every 6 months. I know it's time to clean the filters when it takes a noticeably longer amount of time to filter the water. To clean the filters, remove the filters (it's a simple screw closure). Scrub gently under running water with a scrub brush or sponge. Reattach to the chambers.
  - I have had the screws strip and unable to be reattached after a couple times removing them. Which is not a problem because it was time to replace the filters anyway.
Replacing Filters:
- I replace them about every 2 years.
- How often you need to replace them will depend on how much water you filter.
I have had the same Royal Berkey over the 5+ years. I have had absolutely no issues with the chamber or filtering system. It still looks great, no leaks, and works perfectly!
Use code tcmberkey when you order your Berkey & stand.

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What Does Berkey Remove From Water?

To see test results, science, and more, check out this page to answer all of your questions and get all the data.

Fluoride - over 99.9%
Lead - over 99.9%
Arsenic - over 99.9%
Iron - over 99.9%
Mercury - over 99.9%
Chlorine - over 99.9%
Trihalomethane(THMs) – over 99.8%
Bisphenol-A - over 99.9%
Pharmaceuticals - over 99.5%
Petroleum Contaminants - over 99.9%
MCHM - over 99.9%
Chloramines - over 99.9%
Heavy Metals - over 99.1%
Atrazine - over 99.9%
Uranium - over 97.0%
Gross Alpha emitters - over 98.7%

Which Berkey Water Filter Should I Buy?

There's not a "best choice" when picking your Berkey Water Filter. It's all about what's best for your family.

The bigger the Berkey, the less often you have to refill it.
The bigger the Berkey, the more counter space it takes up.

I have the Royal Berkey. It holds 3.25 gallons and fits perfectly in a little nook I have on my kitchen counter. I typically refill it twice a day for my family of 4. We use the filtered water for drinking water, to cook with, to make coffee, and to fill our refillable water bottles. I have replaced the filters 2-3 times over the last 5+ years but the system has held up fantastically!

I highly recommend grabbing a stand with your filter. It makes it so much easier to fill glasses, bottles, and pots.