How to Choose a Berkey Water System
Step 1: Select Your Housing Size
Berkey® systems are available in seven different sizes. The system you choose should accommodate your available space, the number of people you want to serve, and the reasons for which you will be using the water (drinking only, or also for cooking, hygiene, pets, etc). For typical daily use, multiply the (number of people in your group) X (.5 gallons). In an emergency, multiply (number of people in your group) X (1 gallon). This is the minimum amount of water you may anticipate using each day.
| MODEL
Go Berkey® |
SIZE
14" H x 4" D |
CAPACITY
1 quart |
MAX PER HOUR*
1 gal / hr |
|---|
*Maximum per hour = how much water the system may produce per hour (flow rate) when fully configured with the maximum number of elements.
Step 2: Choose Your Purification Elements
Berkey® systems come standard with two Black Berkey® Purification Elements in the upper chamber (except the Go Berkey® Kit, which comes with just one element). Each additional set of two speeds up the purification process and adds 6,000 gallons in lifespan. The chart below shows configuration options for each system. You can add more sets of Black Berkey® Purification Elements at any time, up to the maximum number shown below. We recommend having backups on hand in case of emergency.
Note that the same number of optional PF-2™ Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements can be installed in the lower chamber, if desired.
| MODEL
Go Berkey® |
STANDARD
1 element |
4 ELEMENTS
n/a |
6 ELEMENTS
n/a |
8 ELEMENTS
n/a |
|---|
Step 3: Add Enhancements
Berkey Base™ stainless steel wire stand is 5” tall and allows you to easily fit a glass or cup under the spigot. The feet are made of a non-marking, non-marring rubber bonded to the stand for added durability and stability. The stands are available in 4 sizes, designed to fit each stainless steel Berkey® System.
Berkey Sight Glass™ Spigot allows instant reading of the water level in the lower chamber of your stainless steel Berkey® System. Available in three sizes, based on the system you own.
Black Berkey® Purification Elements can be added to increase flow rate, or to store for backup. Each Black Berkey® Element purifies about 3,000 gallons of water, so two elements in a Berkey system will purify approximately 6,000 gallons of water before replacement. (can be purchased with the unit, or separately)
Berkey® Fluoride and Arsenic Reduction Elements remove many contaminants found in drinking water: fluoride, arsenic, lead, heavy metal ions, MTBE, trihalomethanes, DBCP, herbicides and pesticides. (can be purchased with the unit, or separately)
Black Berkey Primer™ allows you to prime Black Berkey® Purification Elements without a faucet or hose connection. (priming is needed to saturate the filters with water prior to use)
