Maintaining Our Berkey® Water Purification Systems
We all know how important it is to drink water every day. In fact, the average adult should consume 64-ounces, or eight 8-ounce glasses, of water per day to keep hydrated and healthy.
Everyone here at my Bedford, New York farm drinks a lot of water. I have an excellent well water set-up, but in order to eliminate the use of large plastic water drums and limit the use of individual bottles, I use the Berkey Water Purification System. Each Berkey tank holds up to six-gallons of water and can filter more than three-gallons per-hour. I have one in every outbuilding and everyone loves them. Plus, these systems are so easy to use and maintain.
Here are some photos showing how the filters are changed - it takes just minutes to do, enjoy.
-
- I’ve been using the Berkey Water Purification System for about four years. These Berkey systems are great. They are made of highly polished AISI 304 stainless steel. And, because they don’t need electricity to function, they can be placed anywhere in the home, used during travel or outdoor activities, and unexpected emergencies.
-
- Each unit has two chambers. In the top chamber are these black purification elements, or filters, made of activated carbon. This Crown Berkey model holds up to eight purification elements. Each element is designed to purify approximately three-thousand gallons of water before needing replacement. Even with a good water system in place, purifying water further removes harmful pathogenic bacteria, unhealthy contaminants and impurities. And what’s left is the most healthful, delicious water.
-
- Here are two new replacement black filters. Because of the effects that water deposits and contaminants have on the unit, it is recommend that these be changed every six months or as filtration speed slows.
-
- After Carlos has emptied and cleaned the top chamber the system, he removes the black filters.
-
- They are very easy to remove. Carlos unscrews them from the bottom of the chamber.
-
- Here is the outside of the chamber once the filter element is taken out.
-
- And here is the view inside the stainless steel chamber.
-
- The next step is to prime the filter.
-
- A thick tan rubber “priming button” is included with the replacement filters. It is is used to funnel water into the filter interior to saturate the media and flush out air and manufacturing dust. Carlos places the button on the filter and presses it against the faucet while the water runs slowly.
-
- The exterior wall of the filter begins to sweat. After it sweats for about 10-seconds, it is ready to install inside the chamber.
-
- That’s it – Carlos can now screw the filters back into place.
-
- The entire process takes less than 15 minutes.
-
- The lower chamber is also cleaned thoroughly and prepared for filling.
-
- Carlos fills the chambers with water.
-
- These purification systems are gravity-fed so there is no pump needed – just fill the chamber and it is all purified as it passes through the black elements. The easiest way to tell whether the elements are still functioning well or need changing – just add a teaspoon of food coloring into the chamber for every gallon of water. As long as no color goes through it’s good. This easy test can be done every few months.
-
- The larger Crown Berkey Systems can hold up to six-gallons of water. It can also serve up to 100-people in one day or a family of six with regular use. This system is in my stable kitchen. It is used by my horse caregivers as well as the farm’s business staff. With such a large team, it is great knowing we are not using plastic bottles. Americans use billions of plastic water bottles a year with only a fraction recycled. I encourage everyone to cut down on their use of plastic to save our environment.
-
- This one is in my Equipment Barn lunchroom, where the outdoor grounds crew gathers for coffee and midday meals. The large unit stands about 30-inches tall when fully configured.
-
- The smaller Royal Berkey system holds 3.25 gallons of water and stands about 20-inches tall when fully configured – perfect for smaller families up to four. I keep this one in my gym.
-
- Another Berkey System was placed in my Tenant House which is where my daughter, Alexis, and her children, Jude and Truman, stay when they visit – they are all big water drinkers and plastic-free. These systems are portable and easy to move, even when full.
-
- I also keep one in my large Winter House basement. The Berkey Systems can easily purify ordinary tap water, but they are powerful enough to efficiently purify raw, untreated water from sources such as remote lakes and streams, which is helpful during natural disasters when treated water may not be available.
-
- And here’s one in my Winter House kitchen. This one is on the rolling stainless steel cart right next to the sink. It is one of the most used at the farm.
-
- This one is in my servery, just off the kitchen. Every unit is placed near a sink for easy filling and dispensing. I am so happy to use these Berkey Systems to purify the water in my home.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
