How do Berkey Systems Work?
Berkey has combined the age-old process of micro-porous gravity filtration with state-of-the-art materials and technology to produce the finest, most ecological and cost-effective water filtration system available anywhere.
Water is manually poured into the upper chamber of the Berkey water filtration system and gradually trickles via gravity through the Black Berkey elements into the lower chamber where the purified water is collected.
The Black BerkeyTM purification elements are the key component that differentiates Berkey® Water Filtration Systems from all other water filtration systems on the market. These water filters were developed, refined and tested by inventors, purification specialists, researchers, and engineers through nearly 200 years of diligent, investigative research. (see History of Berkey). The patented Black Berkey elements rely on three distinct and complementary filtration principles to produce exceptionally pure water:
1 - MECHANICAL WATER FILTRATION THROUGH MICRO-PORES
The micro-pores within the cleanable Black Berkey™ water purification elements are so small that viruses, pathogenic bacteria, cysts, particulate matter, rust, and sediment are trapped within the water filtration media and therefore are removed from the purified water that flows via gravity into the lower chamber.
2 - WATER PURIFICATION USING ADSORPTION and IONIC ABSORPTION
The media within the Black BerkeyTM water purification elements remove contaminants by a surface phenomenon known as “adsorption” which results from the molecular attraction of substances to the surface of the filtration media. The exclusive purification elements are also impregnated with proprietary “absorbing” media that promote IONIC “absorption” of pollutants within the micro-porous elements.
These media work synergistically together to extract harmful or unwanted contaminants from the water such as chlorine, herbicides, pesticides, volatile organic compounds, detergents, organic solvents, trihalomethanes, cloudiness, silt, sediment, nitrates, nitrites, heavy metals
3 - PROLONGED CONTACT TIME
Another reason Berkey® water purification systems are so effective in removing contaminants from water is the extremely long contact time between the water and the purification elements. Other filtration systems rely on water pressure that forces water molecules through the filter elements at 60-90 PSI. These water molecules come into contact with the filter media for a mere fraction of a second. By comparison water molecules, passing through the “Tortuous Path” structure of the Black Berkey™ purification elements, are drawn gently by gravity and stay in contact with the media for a long period of time. This allows the filter media to be more efficient in capturing contaminants.