The Berkey manufacturer has filed a lawsuit against the EPA seeking to stop it's unjustified persecution of Berkey Water Filters based on the EPA’s decision this year to treat Berkey Water Filters as though they are pesticides, rather than water filters. The EPA has already ordered the closure of Berkey's largest warehouse. Please see our blog post for the details.

Choosing a Berkey Water Purification System

Step 1. How do the Berkey Water Filter Systems work?

All the Berkey counter-top systems rely on gravity to push the water through the Berkey elements. Water molecules passing through the “Tortuous Path” structure of the Black Berkey water purification elements, are drawn gently by gravity and stay in contact with the filter element for an extended period of time. This allows the filter elements to be more efficient in capturing contaminates, as opposed to most competing filtration systems. The greater the volume of the water and the number of Black Berkey Filter Elements, the faster the flow rate of purified water. The table below shows the flow rate of purified water per system configured with the standard 2 filters and when the same system is fully expanded.

Read our complete overview of all the Berkey models and their flow rates.

Berkey ModelFlow*/hour with 2 Filter ElementsFully Expanded Flow*/hour
Travel Berkey~10.4 litersN/A
Berkey Light~16 liters~32 liters
Big Berkey~13.2 liters~26.5 liters
Royal Berkey~15.1 liters~30.2 liters
Imperial Berkey~20.8 liters~62.5 liters
Crown Berkey~24.6 liters~98.4 liters

*Flow rates are calculated with upper chamber full to top. Flow rate decreases as water level declines. As it is impractical to keep the upper chamber completely full at all times, the flow rates are in practice less than the stated optimal rate.

For a complete description of how the Black Berkey Filter Elements work: Click Here

Step 2. Which size Berkey Water Filter System is appropriate?

The best guideline for choosing which size is appropriate for you is that bigger is usually better providing you have the space for it. Which simply means that it's more convenient to have a larger system as you won't have to fill it as often. Since the higher water volume in the upper chamber increases the pressure upon the filters the water therefore flows through faster. The differences in cost between the various models are minimal when you consider that you will be using the same model for 10-20+ years.

Berkey ModelCapacityNumber of People
Travel Berkey5.7 liters1 - 2 people
Berkey Light10.4 liters2 - 5 people
Big Berkey8.5 liters1 - 4 people
Royal Berkey12.3 liters2 - 6 people
Imperial Berkey17 liters4 - 8+ people
Crown Berkey22.7 liters4 - 12+ people

Step 3. How many and which Berkey filters do I need?

As has already been mentioned, all the Berkey Water Filter systems come configured with 2 upper chamber filters, the Black Berkey Filter Elements. The filtration quality will not be improved by increasing the number of filters used in the upper chamber, but it will increase the speed of filtration and the volume of water that can be filtered. For instance, by increasing the number of Black Berkey elements from 2 to 4, the filtration speed and volume of water that can be filtered will approximately double from 22,700 total liters to 45,400 total liters.

Especially for residents of Ireland and parts of England we offer the lower chamber PF(Post Filtration)-2 Fluoride filters. The PF-2 fluoride filters can be attached to the Black Berkey filters for the removal of fluoride. Artificial fluoridation is currently being applied in some parts of England by local water authorities, but not in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. Naturally occurring fluoride is present in most of the water in England and Wales, though this is in most cases at very low levels. The two following links show where artificial fluoridation / high natural fluoride levels are present. The first pdf map shows fluoride levels in England and Wales. The second pdf map gives a county by county breakdown of where fluoridation/high fluoride is to be found in England. The PF-2 filters are easily installed. The PF-2 filters should be replaced every 3,785 liters or once a year whichever comes first.

View the complete information about the PF-2 Fluoride & Arsenic Filters

Ordering information

  • Do not forget you may choose a discounted accessory when ordering your Berkey filter system (except the Go Berkey). You can choose between a Sightglass Spigot, a Berkey Primer, a Berkey Stand, a Berkey Replacement Parts pack or a set of 2 PF-2 Fluoride Filters.
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  • When placing your order you will be automatically diverted to the secure payment processor. You can then either complete the transaction or return to BerkeyWaterFiltersEurope.com by clicking on the continue shopping button. When you have successfully completed your transaction you will be brought back to the Berkey Water Filters Europe website.
  • All prices listed include VAT. For all deliveries to the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man Dutch VAT will be deducted from your purchase at checkout. Please be aware that UK VAT will be charged by UK customs before delivery through the courier. Free Delivery to all points in the UK/EU.
  • Delivery times are usually 3- 5 working days to the UK, 2 - 5 working days in EU.