Purifying Water with Berkey®
We drink a lot of water here at my Bedford, New York farm, especially during these hot, humid days of summer.
Recently, I decided to change all the water systems around the property. I already have an excellent well water set-up, but I wanted to eliminate the use of large plastic water drums and dispensers. The Berkey Water Purification System was a perfect solution. Each Berkey tank holds up to six-gallons of water and can filter more than three-gallons per-hour. I decided to place one in every outbuilding, and I am happy to report - every single one is a big hit.
Enjoy these photos.
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- These Berkey systems 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.
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- Each unit has two chambers. In the top chamber are these black purification elements 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.
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- Each system has a durable spigot on the bottom chamber for easy dispensing – my grandchildren will be able to fill their own glasses and water bottles so easily when they are here.
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- And a removable, easy to clean, stainless steel lid.
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- These purification systems are gravity-fed so there is no pump needed – just fill the chamber with water 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 six months.
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- I placed the smaller Berkey System in the sink to fill it with water, while I intermittently filled measuring cups for the larger units. These systems are also very portable and easy to move, even when full.
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- 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.
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- This larger unit stands about 30-inches tall when fully configured. Here it is on my kitchen counter.
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- 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.
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- Here, it is easy to see the difference in size between the two systems. I just love their sleek, stainless steel design.
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- After each one was filled with water, it was labeled and placed in every outbuilding here at my farm. Here is one on the ledge of the head house in my greenhouse. My gardeners can easily fill up their water bottles before heading out into the gardens.
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- A large Crown Berkey was placed in the Equipment Barn lunch room, where the outdoor grounds crew gathers for coffee and midday meals.
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- Another one was placed in the stable kitchen, which is used by all 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.
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- 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.
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- This Berkey is in my Flower Room, just outside my Winter House kitchen. 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.
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- And here is one of two in my Winter House – this one is on the rolling stainless steel cart right next to the sink. It is already one of the most used at the farm.
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- And this one is in my servery. Every unit is placed near a sink for easy filling and dispensing.
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- I was so excited about these Berkey Systems, I also brought one to Lily Pond, my home in East Hampton, New York – this will get a lot of use this summer.
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- I am so happy to use these Berkey Systems to purify the water in my homes – what do you use to provide good, clean water for your families? Do you try to cut down your use of plastic? Share your comments below and please go to the Berkey web site for more information. https://www.berkeywater.com/
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