British Berkefeld ( Berkey ) Portable Water Filtration System

The only water filter I am familiar with is the British Berkefeld, also known as the Berkey. I've owned one since 2002. It's one of the smaller, table-top models , holding two 7" ceramic filters in the top canister which removes chlorine, bacteria, cryptosporidium, giardia, salmonella, and sediment. It makes my tap water taste as sweet as spring water. For added protection, I add two fluoride/arsenic filters to the bottom of the others.

The Berkey works by gravity and produces up to 10 gallons of clean water per day. Just pour water in the top canister, and as it is filtered, it flows into the bottom canister. I use the filtered water for drinking, making coffee, tea, and for cooking.

It's lightweight when empty and easy to pack up and take with you on vacation.

Health Benefits of Clean Drinking Water

Clean contaminant-free drinking water provides the following benefits for the human body:

1. promotes healthy circulation
2. flushes toxins from the body
3. aids in digestion
4. helps prevent constipation
5. helps alleviate fluid retention
6. decreases appetite
7. prevents fatigue, brain fog, headaches, body aches, and the feelings of depression associated with dehydration
8. prevents premature aging of the skin by keeping it moist and elastic

Unfortunately, there are hundreds of biological and chemical toxins found in America's water supply.
Some of the most common are bacteria, viruses, protozoa, amoebas, cleaning products, petroleum products; and pharmaceuticals such as hormones, pain medication, psychiatric medication, and Statin drugs. Two of the most familiar contaminants are chlorine and fluoride.

The water treatment plants are able to remove many of the toxins, but not all. Fortunately, there are filters available for home use that will remove most of the remaining pathogens and chemicals. Chlorine, especially, needs to be removed from the water before drinking or showering.

I can't afford an expensive whole-house filtration system, but since 2002 I have used a portable table-top Berkey Water Filter to remove most of the remaining contaminants from my drinking and cooking water. It's also referred to as the British Berkefeld. The filters in the top canister remove everything except fluoride and arsenic, which can be removed by adding special fluoride/arsenic filters to the bottom of the top filters.

I also use a chlorine-removing filter on my shower head. In 2000 I was diagnosed with a condition called Rosacea, which went away after I stopped showering in chlorinated water and using harsh commercial soap. Neutrogena , Dr. Bronner's, and Cal-Ben Five Star are soaps which are mild and chemical-free.

My next blog will discuss the dangers of chlorinated water to human health.