Berkey water filter alternatives for emergency water
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Quick answer
Black Berkey filter elements and the systems that use them became hard to buy after an EPA stop-sale order, per Berkey's own support site. Berkey's maker sued the EPA in August 2023. If you need a gravity filter for outages or boil-water days, choose by what it removes and how it proves it. The CDC says filters certified to NSF standards 53 or 58 for cysts, or with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller, remove parasites. Bacteria need 0.3 micron or smaller. Two documented options are the LifeStraw Family (0.02 micron, meets NSF/ANSI P231) and Sawyer's gravity system (0.1 micron absolute).
What happened to Berkey filters
Berkey's support site says that due to an EPA stop-sale order, Black Berkey Filter Elements are currently unavailable, along with all systems that include them, such as the Travel Berkey and Big Berkey. It says the order targeted a dealer website. Berkey's brand owner filed a lawsuit against the EPA in August 2023. The same support page says many authorized Berkey dealers still have inventory, and it points shoppers to its authorized dealer finder.
If you already own a Berkey, keep using the maker's instructions. If you are shopping now, the gravity filters below are documented alternatives. If you do buy Berkey, use the dealer finder on Berkey's own site.
What a gravity filter has to remove
The CDC's guide to choosing home water filters ties each germ type to a filter spec:
| Germ type | Filter that removes it, per CDC |
|---|---|
| Parasites and amebas (Giardia, Crypto) | NSF 53 or 58 certified for cysts, or absolute pore size 1 micron or smaller, or micro-, nano-, ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis |
| Bacteria | Absolute pore size 0.3 micron or smaller, or ultra-, nanofiltration or reverse osmosis |
| Viruses | Nanofiltration or reverse osmosis |
The CDC also warns that most home water filters, like pitcher or fridge filters, are not designed to remove germs. It says to check the label for the specific substances a filter removes, and to look for NSF certification.
Two documented gravity options
| LifeStraw Family | Sawyer One Gallon Gravity | |
|---|---|---|
| Membrane | 0.02 micron ultrafilter | 0.1 micron absolute hollow fiber |
| Bacteria | 99.999999% | 99.99999% |
| Parasites / protozoa | 99.999% | 99.9999% |
| Viruses | 99.999% | Not claimed |
| Rated life | Up to 4,755 gal (18,000 L) | Up to 100,000 gal |
| Flow | Up to 3.1 gal/hour | Not listed |
| Standard named | Meets NSF/ANSI P231 | Maker testing |
LifeStraw says the Family does not remove chlorine or fluoride. Sawyer's system pairs its MINI filter with a 1 gallon bladder and weighs 11.8 ounces. It is backwashed with an included device to clear the pores.
Choosing for your household
- For a family at home during a boil-water notice: the LifeStraw Family's virus claim and stated P231 standard make it the more complete of these two. At up to 3.1 gallons an hour, start filtering early in the day.
- For a light, packable backup: Sawyer's 11.8 ounce gravity kit covers bacteria and protozoa.
- For chemicals like lead or PFAS: germ-focused gravity filters are not the tool. Look for a filter certified for that specific contaminant, as the CDC advises.
Pair any filter with stored water. See our water storage tank guide.
Keep it working
Gravity filters slow down as they clog. Sawyer's system is designed to be backwashed. Follow each maker's cleaning instructions, keep the dirty and clean sides separate, and replace the filter when it reaches its rated life or stops flowing.
What to look for when you buy
LifeStraw Family gravity purifier
Best for: Households that want bacteria, parasite and virus reduction during outages
LifeStraw lists a 0.02 micron membrane: 99.999999% of bacteria, 99.999% of parasites and 99.999% of viruses, meeting NSF/ANSI P231. Rated life is up to 4,755 gallons.
Watch out: It flows up to 3.1 gallons an hour and does not remove chlorine or fluoride.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Sawyer One Gallon Gravity system
Best for: A light backup for bacteria and protozoa, at home or in a go bag
Sawyer lists a 0.1 micron absolute hollow fiber MINI filter: 99.99999% of bacteria, 99.9999% of protozoa, up to 100,000 gallons, 11.8 ounces.
Watch out: Sawyer does not claim virus removal for this system.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Gravity filter with NSF-certified elements
Best for: Countertop setups that look like a Berkey
The CDC says to look for NSF certification, such as NSF 53 or 58 for cyst reduction, and to read the label for what the filter removes.
Watch out: Check the product's certification listing, not just the box claim.
See options on Amazon (opens Amazon in a new tab)Questions people ask
- Can you still buy Berkey water filters?
- Berkey's support site says Black Berkey elements and systems that use them are unavailable due to an EPA stop-sale order. It also says many authorized dealers still have inventory.
- What filter removes bacteria from water?
- The CDC says filters with an absolute pore size of 0.3 micron or smaller, or ultrafiltration, nanofiltration or reverse osmosis.
- Does a gravity filter remove viruses?
- Only some. LifeStraw lists 99.999% virus removal for the Family. Sawyer does not claim virus removal for its gravity system.
- Do gravity filters remove fluoride and chlorine?
- Not all of them. LifeStraw says the Family does not remove chlorine or fluoride. Check each filter's label for the specific substances it removes.
Sources
- Berkey Water Filter Maker Sues EPA (support article), Berkey Water support
- About Choosing Home Water Filters, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- LifeStraw Family Emergency Water Purifier, LifeStraw
- One Gallon Gravity Water Filtration System, Sawyer Products