Berkey Filters manufactures water filter systems. 

Berkey Filters 

Royal

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I bought this when I first moved in to this house ~7 years ago and it’s still perfect, just routine cleaning and changing of filters! (Photo included, don’t mind the current kitchen demo)

This company is both wonderful and disappointing. 

My understanding (after quite a bit of research) is that this filter is the gold standard. I purchased it to filter NYC tap water, and more specifically to get the fluoride out of the water (which I understand can cause thyroid issues). It was a few months into owning this Berkey that I realized you needed to buy ADDITIONAL special filters that are specific to fluoride – the normal Berkey filter does NOT filter out fluoride (and the additional ones are expensive and only last less than one year.)

Other problems I have had – I got the ROYAL sized filter which is meant to serve between 2 and 6 people. I am in a household with myself, my husband and our 2 year old, so the Royal felt like it would be sufficient. While I do admit I drink a lot of water for one person, I'm pretty disappointed at how quickly we're going through the filtered water. I don't think the number of gallons it says you will have access to accounts for the water displaced by the actual filters or HOW SLOW the filtering actually takes. It seemingly takes HOURS to get a 32 oz jar filled so I'm constantly refilling to try to maintain a full water filter. There are certainly times we've gone through all the water and need to revert to tap because it doesn't filter fast enough. 

All that said, I'm not sure there are lots of better options out there. Just remember to buy the additional fluoride filters if that's what you're into (and to size up!)

The Berkey is the best investment I've made! The vessel is super easy to clean, and I find the price of the filters reasonable for the amount of clean water I get. Berkey has made LA tap water drinkable. 

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