*UPDATED 9/10/2024*
It’s been many years now that we’ve owned and parted ways with our Travel Berkey Water Filter (although we still have it in storage, if ever we should need it) and I still to this day couldn’t be happier with our purchase. Seriously, the best thing we’ve ever done! For ages I complained about the various water filters we had…pitchers, the ones you hook onto your kitchen faucet – we did it all, you guys! I eventually thought about just driving to a local spring and filling up a ton of glass bottles. But c’mon…I ain’t got time for that! Especially since the local spring was almost an hour away, LOL. Nope. So, when we finally bit the bullet and bought a Berkey, it was the best decision ever! But why a Berkey – or should I say, WHY BOROUX?! Well, first off, let’s chat about…
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WHY IS FILTERED WATER SO CRUCIAL?
We’ve always been told we need to drink X amounts/cups of water..but have we thought about the quality of the water we’re drinking? Everyone should consider the impact that water filtration will have on their health. If you don’t filter your water, your body has to do the hard work of detoxifying all of those contaminants! Filtered water not only supports proper cell and organ function, healthy, glowing (happy skin), and digestive system…but it’s essential to our living. I mean, duh, right? True story: I struggle with drinking water something fierce, I won’t lie, but let me tell you – it is so much easier knowing that what I’m drinking is aiding in my body functioning optimally.
You know what they say….don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater! (Don’t worry, I’m not throwing the babies anywhere…it’s an idiomatic expression for an avoidable error in which something good is eliminated when trying to get rid of something bad, or in other words, rejecting the essential along with the inessential. *LOL*) The inessentials are the nasties that come with tap water, heck even bottled water (don’t even think about (plastic) bottled water..that’s a whole other topic!)…such as chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, pesticide residue, and other gross stuff…I mean even prescription drugs, you guys! YUCK. But, some water filtration systems are also discarding the essentials! Essentials such as beneficial mineral deposits our body needs!
“Some of the methods to filter water remove all the beneficial minerals from the water making the water an acidic “hypotonic” solution.”
WHY I BOUGHT A BERKEY (AND NOW BOROUX)
[Update 9/10/2024: I am leaving a lot of similar info here, just for reference! But keep in mind Berkey as a whole is no longer a company – please see below’s updated info for a new option and more information on that!]
If you’re looking for something easy, cost-effective, and accessible, THE best countertop water purifier (in my opinion) is the Boroux. Besides the incredible technology BOROUX utilizes that was developed, refined, and proven through rigorous performance and verified data*…let’s look at the other great reasons why it’s highly recommended by me, as well as many others!
1. BOROUX’s are effective at filtering and therefore the result is tasty water.
The whole reason why you want a water filter is to get contaminants out and have pure and great-tasting water, right? Well, voila! The BOROUX systems include a set of Foundation Filtersthat use the same formulation that was used for the Black Berkey Filters. The BOROUX foundation filters are not intended to filter microorganisms. The BOROUX foundation filter uses silver, which is a registered pesticide, as an antimicrobial agent, to prevent the filter from degrading while treating municipal tap water. Their filters are guaranteed to remove the following!
2. They last a long time.
Each filter has a lifespan of up to 6,000 gallons per filter (12,000 gallons per pair).
3. The countertop design makes them portable and easy to use. If you don’t have a permanent living situation the BOROUX is a flexible, portable solution to water filtration. It sits on the countertop instead of being plumbed in, which can be a big commitment if you are on the move.
4. The BOROUX Filters are extremely cost-effective!
Something to consider is they do not currently have fluoride filters, but they’re actively working on those! So stay tuned! Some people are fortunate enough to be on well water, so you can purchase a model without this filter. However, if you’re on municipal water (as I am) that is fluoridated, this would be a (necessary) option for you.
BOROUX also just came out with two new units in matte black and matte white and they are STUNNNNNING! (Stay tuned for my unboxing/review of that soon!)
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So, what happened to Berkey?
Some of you have heard and some of you may not, but basically due to expanded COVID-era regulations, the EPA recently wielded its newfound authority (big eye roll) to categorize Berkey black filters as pesticides. This decision resulted in Berkey having to stop selling these filters, even though they are composed of the same natural materials they have always used, without any harmful substances. Notably, no similar device has ever been classified as a pesticide before, and the filters DO NOT meet the definition of a pesticide. (Again, big eye roll!)
As Berkey stated:
Berkey’s filters are not “substances or mixtures of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest”, as FIFRA defines pesticides. Rather, they mechanically remove contaminants through a tortuous maze of micropores, absorption and ionic adsorption.
The EPA’s decision to label these filters as pesticides required Berkey to undergo a time-consuming and costly registration process to continue selling them. While there are other gravity water filters on the market, the EPA specifically targeted Berkey, preventing them from selling their product since May. The EPA has even pursued smaller retailers selling Berkey (gravity filter) products…so ridiculous.
In essence, the EPA’s stance boils down to a demand: either pay to register the filters as pesticides or forfeit the ability to sell them. (Are you joking me!? Extortion at its finest!)
Berkey even came out with a statement on it all HERE, but of course, the EPA doesn’t care about any of it.
Despite the EPA’s classification, it is important to emphasize that there are ZERO harmful substances in Berkey filters, and they have not been treated with pesticides. Surprise surprise, the EPA is stretching the legal definition of a pesticide to fit its agenda.
So, what’s next then you may be asking? You might have a Berkey unit and need to replace your filters soon…how will that work?
Well the good news is that BOROUX now exists! This new unit will function in a very similar way as the Berkey black filters did! Yay! Again, check them out HERE and read some FAQs HERE!
So for now, this is what’s available and I know Boroux is going to be working hard on creating more products and accessories down the line! Be sure to give them a follow on IG and check their website out!
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How pure is your drinking water? Do you have a BOROUX unit or use any other water filters? Is a fresh spring, or well water accessible to you? If so, how does it compare to filtered water at home?
Will you be purchasing the new BOROUX? If you do, be sure to use my code: HULLOSAM to save $$!
Let me know in the comments below!
Bottoms up!
xo
This post contains affiliate links, which means that I receive a percentage of commission if any products are purchased through my links. As always, these are companies I have used personally, believe in and support. Also, thank you for supporting me, hullosam through your purchases. :)
Song: Dirt by Loyal Lobos
Lois says
SO good!! Very informative.
Megan says
The Berkey15 code you mention on your promo page doesn’t work and I want a Berkey! Do you have an updated code? THANKS!
hullosam says
That is expired, please refresh the codes + promo page and it will be there updated. Thanks!
We have a Berkey system and can’t live without it! Water has never tasted so fresh :)
Right!? So good!
did you replace the spigot? love it with the silver!
I did! We have the silver spigot and love it!!
We have a Berkey system and can’t survive without it! Water has never tasted so crisp :)