What Does a Berkey Filter Remove?

slug: what-does-a-berkey-filter-remove

title: "What Does a Berkey Filter Remove?"

teaser: "The cult-favorite gravity filter claims to remove 99.9% of everything, but independent tests and a massive EPA lawsuit tell a different story."

category: water-filtration

subcategory: understanding-your-water

verdict: caution

status: published

is_new: true

updated: 2026-03-03

tldr: >

Berkey filters are effective at removing chlorine, lead, and PFAS, often outperforming competitors in taste and flow rate. However, independent tests show they fail to meet their own claims for removing viruses and chloroform over the filter's lifespan.

In 2023, the EPA issued a "Stop Sale" order for the original Black Berkey filters, classifying them as unregistered pesticides due to unverified silver claims. The brand has since pivoted to new "Phoenix" elements, but we recommend caution until their pending NSF certifications are publicly verifiable.

key_findings:

• "Black Berkey" elements were pulled from shelves in 2023 following an EPA Stop-Sale order.
• Independent Wirecutter testing found Berkey filters failed to remove viruses to the "purifier" standard they claimed.
• EWG tests confirmed Berkey is excellent at removing PFAS ("forever chemicals") to non-detectable levels.
• The optional fluoride filters (PF-2) were found to leach aluminum into the water in independent lab tests.

sources:

• title: "Farrell v. New Millennium Concepts, LTD (Class Action)"

url: "https://www.pacermonitor.com/public/case/43977366/Farrell_et_al_v_New_Millennium_Concepts,_LTD"

type: "legal"

• title: "The Big Berkey Water Filter: Uncertified and Inconvenient"

url: "https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/big-berkey-water-filter-system/"

type: "article"

• title: "EWG Water Filter Guide: PFAS Removal"

url: "https://www.ewg.org/research/getting-forever-chemicals-out-drinking-water-ewgs-guide-water-filters-pfas"

type: "study"

• title: "SimpleLab / Water Filter Guru Aluminum Leaching Test"

url: "https://waterfilterguru.com/big-berkey-water-filter-review/"

type: "lab-test"

recommendations:

• name: "ZeroWater 23-Cup Dispenser"

brand: "ZeroWater"

verdict: "recommended"

note: "NSF-certified for lead and PFAS with a similar gravity-fed design."

• name: "LifeStraw Home Dispenser"

brand: "LifeStraw"

verdict: "recommended"

note: "Independently tested for bacteria and parasites with transparent data."

• name: "Big Berkey (Phoenix Elements)"

brand: "Berkey"

verdict: "acceptable"

note: "Good for taste and PFAS, but verify certification status before relying on it for biological safety."

related:

• is-berkey-water-filter-safe
• what-water-filter-removes-pfas
• is-there-lead-in-my-tap-water
• does-a-fridge-water-filter-actually-work

suggested_articles:

• title: "Berkey Phoenix vs. Black Berkey: What Changed?"

reason: "Owners of older systems need to know if the new replacement filters perform differently."

• title: "Do Ceramic Filters Actually Remove Viruses?"

reason: "Clarifies the difference between standard filtration and true 'purification' for emergency preppers."

• title: "Is Aluminum Leaching from Fluoride Filters Dangerous?"

reason: "Explores the health implications of the aluminum oxide used in many gravity fluoride filters."

The Short Answer

The Berkey is a mixed bag of excellent performance and unverified claims.

If you want to remove lead, PFAS ("forever chemicals"), and chlorine, the Berkey is highly effective. Independent tests confirm it strips these contaminants efficiently, often leaving water tasting better than certified competitors.

However, if you are buying a Berkey for biological safety (viruses and bacteria) or expecting it to last for 6,000 gallons as advertised, you should proceed with caution.

In 2023, the EPA effectively halted sales of the original "Black Berkey" elements because the company claimed they killed bacteria (via silver) without registering the product as a pesticide. Furthermore, independent labs like Wirecutter and SimpleLab found the filters failed to remove viruses and chloroform consistent with the company's "purifier" claims.

Why This Matters

For years, Berkey marketed itself not just as a filter, but as a water purifier—a specific legal term meaning it can remove 99.9999% of bacteria and 99.99% of viruses. This made it a favorite among off-grid homesteaders and emergency preppers.

The problem? Berkey is not NSF certified.

Instead of paying for standardized NSF testing, the company used its own private labs. When independent organizations finally ran their own tests, the results didn't match the marketing. While it’s a fantastic filter for city tap water contaminants like What Is Pfas In Water, relying on it to clean dirty pond water or remove pathogens during an emergency is a risk the data doesn't support.

What's Actually In It

Berkey recently pivoted from their "Black Berkey" elements to new "Phoenix" elements to comply with regulations.

• Activated Carbon — The primary workhorse. It adsorbs chemicals, chlorine, and PFAS like a sponge. Is Activated Carbon Enough To Filter Water
• Ion Exchange Resin — Likely included to target heavy metals like lead.
• Silver (in original Black elements) — Used as an antimicrobial agent to prevent bacteria growth inside the filter. This was the trigger for the EPA's "pesticide" classification.
• Activated Alumina (in PF-2 add-ons) — Used in the optional white filters to remove fluoride. Note: This material has been shown to leach aluminum into filtered water.

What It Removes (And What It Doesn't)

We analyzed data from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), Wirecutter, and independent lab reports to separate fact from marketing.

✅ What It Removes Well

• PFAS: In EWG testing, Berkey reduced "forever chemicals" to non-detectable levels. What Water Filter Removes Pfas
• Lead: Consistent strong performance in reducing lead, a critical concern for older homes. Is There Lead In My Tap Water
• Chlorine & Taste: Excellent removal of chlorine taste and odor.
• Pharmaceuticals: High reduction rates for common drug residues.

⚠️ Where It Fails or Struggles

• Viruses: Failed to meet the NSF P231 standard for virus reduction in independent testing by Wirecutter.
• Chloroform: Failed to remove chloroform (a common disinfection byproduct) effectively in multiple tests.
• Longevity: While rated for 3,000 gallons per element, tests showed performance for some contaminants dropped significantly after just a few hundred gallons.

🚫 The Fluoride Issue

The standard black filters do not remove fluoride. You must buy the optional white PF-2 filters.

• Red Flag: Independent tests showed these fluoride filters increased the aluminum content of the water by up to 30%. While arguably safe levels, adding aluminum to your water while trying to remove fluoride is a trade-off many health-conscious consumers want to avoid.

The Best Options

If you love the gravity-fed stainless steel look but want certified performance, consider these alternatives.

The Bottom Line

1. Don't rely on it for viruses. If you are prepping for an emergency, boil your water or use a certified purifier like LifeStraw or a real hiking filter.

2. Great for city water. If your main concern is taste, chlorine, lead, and PFAS, the Berkey performs exceptionally well.

3. Check the "Phoenix" certification. Berkey claims their new "Phoenix" filters are NSF 42 and 372 compliant, but as of 2026, the official listing is often "pending." Verify before you buy.

FAQ

Why did the EPA stop Berkey sales?

The EPA classified the original Black Berkey filters as a "pesticide device" because they used silver to kill bacteria but weren't registered under federal pesticide laws. This led to a massive Stop-Sale order in 2023.

Does Berkey remove PFAS?

Yes. In multiple independent tests, including by the EWG, the Berkey gravity filter removed PFAS to non-detectable levels, making it one of the better options for this specific contaminant.

Do I need the white fluoride filters?

Only if your city adds fluoride to the water and you specifically want it removed. Be aware that these filters use activated alumina, which may leach small amounts of aluminum into your drinking water. Is Fluoride In Water Safe