Jun
24
2009
24
2009
Water Filtration Fun
Filed under: Green Living, Healthy Living, Water Filters
When you’re researching different aspects of living green, it’s easy to “want it all”. The problem with wanting it all, is that it’s very hard on your bank account! Everyone has to prioritize and decide what the most important changes are….and what will affect their health the most. With that said, I wish that I would have focused on our water sooner!
Water quality is something that I thought about, but I didn’t ever make it a priority. But it kept coming up. I kept reading…researching…learning. And finally decided to do something about it. We drink SO much water in our family…we couldn’t just keep ignoring the quality.
I know that there are varying opinions on whether or not tap water is safe. I’m not going to debate that here. Some areas are much better than others…but I am sure we’ve all heard about the stuff that CAN be in tap water (drugs, bacteria, etc). I just wanted yummy and safe filtered water for my family. So instead of debating the pros and cons of each systems, I will just tell you what we decided to buy. We were primarily deciding between a reverse osmosis system and the Berkey.
For years, we have used the Brita or PUR filters. I really didn’t like storing water in plastic…and they do not filter flouride. After A LOT of research, we decided to go with the Berkey water system. We chose the “Big Berkey” and ordered it from More Than Alive. Why did we choose the Berkey?
- It filters out a lot of yucky stuff. This is the filter used in 3rd world countries and can technically be used to filter water out of the gutter (although I wouldn’t recommend it!).
- It doesn’t require under counter installation, electricity or water pressure.
- It’s portable. We wanted a system we could take with us when we traveled or if we moved.
- The filters only need to be replaced every 3000 gallons (which equates to about every 2 years for us).
- It filters out flouride (this is a hot topic…please Google it if you’re interested)
- It doesn’t waste as much water as a reverse osmosis system.
- It’s made of stainless steel and not plastic (although they do offer a BPA-free plastic option).
We’ve had the Berkey for about 6 weeks now and we love it. Our water used to taste and smell horribly like chlorine and now it’s yummy. Matt did have to build a stand for it so that it sat a bit higher than the counter (in order to dispense it)…but other than that, it’s great. I think if I had to go back and do it over…I would probably buy the Royal (one size larger). We usually only have to fill it up once a day if it’s just us…but when we have guests, etc. it would be nice to have a larger capacity unit.
Someday, I would love to have a “whole house filtration” system…but for now, the Berkey works perfect for us. In addition to the drinking water, we also ordered a Culligan filtered shower head. Our bodies take in A LOT of water/chlorine when showering/bathing…and chlorine fumes are not happy for your body at all. I didn’t want by babies bathing in that! When Bella takes a bath, we just fill the tub with the shower head to ensure she is bathing in pure water.
So there you have it…water filtration fun!
Posted by Sara @ 12:18 am | Leave a Comment
24
2009
I have never heard of a Berkey and will have to look into this. We took a really long time debating what to get – I was worried about flouride and about hormones in the water. We ended up going with a reverse osmosis systerm and a filtered shower head. I don’t like the fact that the reverse osmosis system uses so much water but it seemed like the best option to us at the time. I love the shower head!
24
2009
Thanks so much for posting this! I’ve been researching portable water filters, but didn’t find anything that met our needs (we’re apatment dwellers too, and wanted to be able to move it along with us as well!). This looks perfect!
We don’t have kids, but I take baths when I get very bad migraines. So we have this-
http://www.amazon.com/Bath-Ball-Water-Faucet-Filter/dp/B0012045EO
Plus, I’ll sometimes use it in the kitchen, so the $60 seemed worth it.
24
2009
We just purchased one of these within the last six months. I gulped as I ordered it – it seemed so expensive! But we’re sold on it now.
Happy drinking
24
2009
This is great! We use a shower filter, too, and have a distiller (but that uses electricity).
Steph
24
2009
we use a berkey too and love it. we solved the lack of capacity problem by filling up jugs (or you could use stainless steel pitchers) before company arrives. you have to start a day or so ahead of time but it’s nice having cold water always available in the fridge anyway.
24
2009
Great topic! One we’ve been talking a lot about in our house too.
24
2009
Thanks for the great recommendation! I’ve been wanting to get something to replace my Shaklee water filter (the small keep in the fridge kind) and this one looks really great for what I need/want, especially how it gets out flouride. Now if only they made water filters to get out the caffeine as well!
24
2009
We love our berkey too. It filters out everything and it’s stainless steel. My husband had a plastic one when we got married and then purchased the stainless steel one after saving up. Love it!
24
2009
Oooooh pretty!
I like the “low tech” aspect of your new filter. We installed an under the counter system last year which required us drilling a hole in our stainless steel sink (not easy), and while I have no complaints, it’s a fact that we can’t just take it with us when we move, or go on a trip or whatever. Our water consumption (as in drinking it) has gone up since getting it though, and the water tastes great.
Thanks for sharing!
mere
24
2009
Interesting- thanks for the info
24
2009
For those of you considering buying one…I signed up to get a referral bonus on their site when anyone buys and using my code. Just use this link to give me credit. Gracias!!
http://www.morethanalive.com/?a_aid=7c4794f3
24
2009
michael & i were just talking about getting a water filter last week! our main concern was flouride – and how, chlorine. YUCK!
this looks like a great system – while i’ll have to save up for it, the culligan shower head is something i’ll purchase ASAP. worth it. thanks for essentially doing the filter search for us! 
24
2009
I used to live in Uganda (but Im from California)…I worked at an orphanage and had no running water or electircity and this is what we used!!! They worked great…it was pretty amazing to see what kind of water it could transform
24
2009
Oh my goodness…they are soooo expensive here…the very same thing cost $40 in Uganda…yikes!
24
2009
One of the nice things about living in the boonies…good old fashioned well water is a lot better than a lot of town water! No flouride, chlorine, etc etc etc
I’m going to pass this one along to some friends though, thanks for the good info!
24
2009
hi sara! wanted you to know that i’m so glad you post the things you’re learning about health, etc — because i have learned so much from reading here! i have benefited EXTREMELY from your post on pregnancy — i’m 5 months preggo with baby #2 and was having major breathless/exhausted/tired muscle issues. i live in Japan, so getting products isn’t easy, but i ordered some Floradix and had my mom bring it to me when she came to visit last month. i’m a whole new woman! i’m so convinced, i might keep taking half the dosage even after pregnancy (if i check out my blood levels and could still benefit from a supplement.) i’ve been telling all my pregnant friends.
just wanted to say thanks. your blog encourages me to live simply and take joy in the small things of life!
25
2009
We’ve had our Berkey for a few years now and love it even more than the day we bought it! It is perfect.
We have a ceramic water dispenser. We fill the top of the Berkey, take the water out of the bottom, and fill up the ceramic dispenser. It gives us that extra bit of water and the ceramic dispenser keeps the water cool due to evaporation. It is our perfect system.
25
2009
Thank you for this post! We have been looking at the EcoBlue (http://www.ecoloblue.com/en/home-office), but will definitely consider this as an alternative. I love that it filters out flouride too.
25
2009
Thank you for the sweet recommendation. We have been undecided on what to do as far as our drinking water system, (we just moved last month) and this post really helps!
I’ll be sure to use your link. Thanks:)
25
2009
Sara,
I am wondering if you know if this removes estrogen and other pharmacuticals from the water.
I love how simple it is, but was considering a distiller because I didn’t know of a filter system that removes estrogen.
Thanks,
Leah
25
2009
Leah…here is what the More Than Alive site says about the pharmaceuticals…I’m assuming estrogen will fall into this category as well.
“Many news stations have reported that pharmaceuticals have been found in the water of many cities in the U.S. Do the Black Berkey elements remove drugs from the water?”
Answer: There are simply too many varieties of pharmaceuticals that a water filtering system could be tested for to see how it performs. By too many I mean it is impossible to test for them all. However, we do know from testing, that the purification process used by the Black Berkey elements remove more pollutants than any other system available on the market today. In other words, if there are any systems that remove pharmaceuticals from the water, the Black Berkeys are one of them.
26
2009
This is timely… I’ve been mulling over water options, being that we are renters. Off to do more research now! Thanks!
26
2009
We have a Roayl Berkey as well, we love it! We even took ours camping last summer and pull buckets of water from the rushing creek and filtered it in our campsite. Elevation at 11K feet slowed it down a bit (graviety system), but it was awesome to not have to worry about luggin water into the backcountry of CO.
26
2009
Thank you for posting this! I have researched little, and you may have just saved me a lot of time. I am hypothyroid, so this has been on my mind A LOT!
Quick question about bathing….. we are members of our local YMCA, and are taking our kiddos swimming this sumer. Is this something that you would not consider doing? Do you think it is unsafe to swim in a traditional pool?
Thanks for helping me sort this out
26
2009
Hi Christina…
Personally, I don’t like public swimming pools. However, I do let Bella swim in them because it’s for a very short amount of time and it’s only on special occasions (at hotels, etc). I always make sure she rinses off good after she swims…although I think most damage is done by breathing in the chlorine fumes. As long as the pool has passed inspection, it will be fine. It’s pretty rare that you will get a transmittable disease from the pool…because the chlorine levels to kill the bacteria are sky high.
Just go for the lakes and hot springs if you can
26
2009
Cool! We have a big Berkey in our home too! : )
28
2009
Congratulations on your absolutely beautiful new baby!
I, too, keep putting off the water research because I know it will make me want to take action right away. Thanks for posting on this. Now to convince my husband …
Also, do you have advice for going to the dentist with kids? Our dentist is completely convinced that my kids need flouride treatments daily! (they did have cavities) But they are already getting it in their water and in their regular toothpaste.
29
2009
We’re looking into this right now. I’ve also had the britta pitcher and was just not satisfied with it. I’m to the point where I refuse to give my kids tap water, and so I’m buying bottled spring water until we can get our distiller (I’m recycling them!!)
1
2009
I also have the fluoride concern- my just-turned 4-year old has 4 cavities, they say he’s inherited brittle, weak enamel. But I can’t help but think there’s something else, something I can do to help more. Do you or anyone else reading have any links/tips on where to start researching this? They are telling me to use fluoridated toothpaste and all that, but I don’t buy it- I think it’s a toxin! What should I do?
4
2009
Think this could well be the water filter device I’ve been looking for for a while now. I’m in Britain though – and dont like ordering goods from somewhere with a different currency to my own….does anyone know a supplier of these Berkeys in Britain please?
9
2009
Are you comfortable with the parenting materials this company endorses?
10
2009
Sara…No, I don’t endorse their philosophies.
30
2009
Thank you for this info! This will be my new water filter. I had never heard of them but impressed me after you wrote about it and I looked it up. Love that it’s stainless, doesn’t plug in to anywhere, and the fact that the cartridges are cleanable and indefinitely re-usable makes the cost justifiable to me. Like someone mentioned I would prob use glass jugs to keep plenty on hand like I do now with my faucet mounted type. I love your blog! keep em comin’
Because of your blog I’m also considering the all wool futon from Small Wonders to replace my bed eventually. Did you ever buy it? I’m trying to compare with Shepherd’s dream which is more expensive but so beautiful. Neither is local so I better make a lot of phone calls, I guess.
1
2009
We’re considering this since our RO system finally kicked the bucket. Compared to RO, how’s the taste?
~Tara
9
2009
Just curious if you got the 2 element Big Berkey or the four? Looking into purchasing one of these. Thanks for the info!
Tracy
11
2009
TheOrganicSister…I think it tastes better. RO takes EVERYTHING from the water usually, including minerals and other good stuff. Berkey leaves the good stuff in. It’s quite yummy.
Tracy…we have the 2 element. Kind of wishing I would have gotten the four for faster filtration, but 2 isn’t bad.