Why Are Berkey Water Filters Banned in California? [Latest: 2024]

Berkey water filtration systems are the essential types of water treatment devices well recognized and reputed all over the world. Their systems are based on the black filter principle, which doesn’t only remove iron or other heavy metals from water, but also nitrogen and/or other common water elements.

Besides, these water purification systems are capable to remove other 2000 bad chemicals from your public supply, raw water, or private well water and provide you with purified water safe for drinking or cooking.

Unfortunately, to your disappointment, if you are a California citizen, you must know that these Berkey systems are banned here in California. Do you have similar queries as to why they can’t be sold in California, what are the common issues, are there any legal problems, and/or is there any way to get them in CA?

Don’t worry! Scroll down and get the answers to all of your questions.

Must Read: Best Whole House Water Filters

Some Common Issues about Berkey Water Filters in California

Recently, some people tried to sell out water filter systems that were not even certified by any trusted sources in California.

It was the biggest factor due to which CA restricted access to reliable companies to sell their products without getting NSF or other trusted certifications. This is one of the reasons why the Berkey water filter California ban was imposed.

On the other hand, the “No-Lead Law”, made it unethical to sell Berkey products in California, although they sell excellent and high-quality products.

Black Berkey Water Filters California – Legal Issues

Safe Drinking Water Act (Lead Law)

According to the No Lead Law, products should be certified by the California Government Authority, and no products are allowed to sell and used, which eliminates more than 0.25% of lead.

On the other hand, it must be a certified product. People can’t even sell third-party products without some testing procedures especially NSF or ANSI. This law went into force on January 4th, 2014

No Lead Law 2014

Why doesn’t Berkey get a Certification from ANSI or NSF for California?

The main reason why Berkey products don’t get any ANSI or NSF certifications for California is their privacy concerns. Berkey does not want to share its product information with any third party or company.

No matter how much loss it gains due to this activity, they believe that its industry elements are necessary to be kept private at all costs.

And in case it is shared, it would be a bad vibe for them as nowadays people are digging hard to replicate a brand’s product to make a cheaper copy.

They raised this concern as some brands were trying to replicate them, but because of less knowledge and information about their black filter elements, they are somewhat safe till now.

Although California has mentioned that it won’t share any private information as they respect privacy, still Berkey feels that it can be risky.

Now it’s easier to understand why California has banned this Berkey water filter brand despite its good results, which remove many contaminants from water.

Remember that it’s not a loss for the Berkey brand that its products are banned in CA. Still, they’re getting higher sales globally as compared to other water purifiers of even lower price or higher quality.

Want to Get Black Berkey Filter in California?

Many people living in California want to buy Black Berkey Water Filters due to their excellent filtering capability and water quality and looking for some ways to purchase this product legally. Don’t worry, down here you’ll get complete detail on buying a Berkey water filter in California.

Before further information, you must remember that there are some types of Berkey filters: Berkey light and Travel Berkey, which are allowed here.

The reason is that there is no law or regulation that prevents them from being sold in the state of California. Here are some further details on both of these products:

1. Berkey Light

Berkey Light - Allowed in California

It’s a type of Berkey system enriched with two free water-shelled plastic filters that have two filters on the top side of the product. These black Berkey elements are made of BPA-free plastic.

These two purification elements ensure superior water quality and filtering make it pure for drinking purposes. These Gravity-Fed Water filters are available in different water-holding capacities where 2.5 gallons is its highest capacity.

If you want a less-budget Berkey water filter system, which is easy to use, is your outdoor friend, and is an alternative to the Big Berkey, this water system would be an ideal choice for you.

It’s easy to use as it’s free from any technical or operating issues.

2. Travel Berkey

Travel Berkey - Allowed in California

Travel Berkey is another essential and famous Berkey product available in California that is smaller in size compared to Berkey Light.

In addition, it’s easy to hold while traveling and is made for those who are highly concerned about their water needs during outdoor activities. 

When we check its construction, its inner side has a gravity shed water filter installed, which effectively purifies drinking and tap water.

Moreover, with an outer surface made of stainless steel, it lasts for a longer period plus it also has an excellent warranty which makes Berkey water filters worth the money.

It removes fluoride, nitrogen, pathogenic bacteria, and viruses, including many other harmful substances from water.

The storage capacity of this water filter depends upon the size you need. The one with 1.5 gallons is of the highest capacity.

Here is the list of all the contaminants that Big Berkey Filtration elements claim to reduce (%).

Contaminant NameReduction Rate (%)
1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane99.90%
1,1,1-Trichloroethane (TCA)99.90%
1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane99.90%
1,1,2-Trichloroethane99.90%
1,1,2-Trichlorotrifluoroethane99.90%
1,1-Dichloroethane (1,1-DCA)99.90%
1,1-Dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE)99.90%
1,1-Dichloropropene99.90%
1,2,3-Trichlorobenzene99.90%
1,2,3-Trichloropropane99.90%
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene99.90%
1,2,4-Trimethylbenzene99.90%
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP)99.90%
1,2-Dibromoethane99.90%
1,2-Dichloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (CFC 123a)99.90%
1,2-Dichlorobenzene99.90%
1,2-Dichlorobenzene-d499.90%
1,2-Dichloroethane99.90%
1,2-Dichloropropane99.90%
1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene99.90%
1,3-Dichlorobenzene99.90%
1,3-Dichloropropene99.90%
1,4-Dichlorobenzene99.90%
2,2-Dichloropropane99.90%
2,4,5-T99.90%
2,4,5-TP (Silvex)99.90%
2,4-D99.90%
2,4-DB99.90%
2-Butanone (MEK)99.90%
2-Chlorotoluene99.90%
2-Hexanone99.90%
2-Methyl-2-propanol99.90%
3,5-Dichlorobenzoic Acid99.90%
3-Hydroxycarbofuran99.90%
4b 3-DDT99.90%
4b2-DDD499.90%
4b2-DDE99.90%
4-Bromofluorobenzene99.90%
4-Chlorotoluene99.90%
4-Isopropyltoluene99.90%
4-Methyl-2-pentanone99.90%
4-Nitrophenol499.90%
4-para-Nonylphenol99.90%
4-tert-Octylphenol99.90%
5-Hydroxydicamba99.90%
Acenaphthylene99.90%
Acetaminophen99.90%
Acetone99.90%
Acifluorfen99.90%
Alachlor99.90%
Aldicarb99.90%
Aldicarb Sulfone99.90%
Aldicarb Sulfoxide99.90%
Aldrin99.90%
alpha-Chlorodane99.90%
Aluminum99.00%
Ametryn99.90%
Anthracene99.90%
Antimony99.90%
Aroclor (1016, 1221, 1232, 1242, 1248, 1254, 1260)99.90%
Arsenic99.90%
Atraton99.90%
Atrazine99.90%
Bacillusatrophaues99.99%
Barium80.00%
Baygon99.90%
Bentazon99.90%
Benzene99.90%
Beryllium99.90%
Bismuth99.90%
BisphenolA99.90%
Bromacil99.90%
Bromoacetic Acid99.90%
Bromobenzene99.90%
Bromochloromethane99.90%
Bromodichloromethane99.80%
Bromoform99.80%
Bromomethane99.90%
Butachlor99.90%
Butylate99.90%
Butylbenzylphthalate99.90%
Cadmium99.70%
Caffeine99.90%
Carbamazepine99.90%
Carbaryl99.90%
Carbofuran99.90%
Carbon Tetrachloride99.90%
Carboxin99.90%
Chloramben99.90%
Chloramines99.90%
Chlordane99.90%
Chloride99.60%
ChlorineResidual(TotalResidualChlorine)99.90%
Chloroacetic Acid99.90%
Chlorobenzene99.90%
Chlorobenzilate99.90%
Chloroethane99.90%
Chloroform99.80%
Chloromethane99.90%
Chlorpropham99.90%
Chlorprophane99.90%
Chromium99.90%
Chromium699.85%
CiprofloxacinHCl99.90%
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene99.90%
cis-1,3-Dichloropropene99.90%
cis-Nonachlor99.90%
Cobalt95.00%
Copper99.90%
Cycloate99.90%
Dacthal Acid99.90%
Dalapon99.90%
Diazinona99.90%
Dibromoacetic Acid99.90%
Dibromochloromethane99.80%
Dibromochloropropane (DBCP)99.90%
Dibromomethane99.90%
Dicamba99.90%
Dichloroacetic Acid99.90%
Dichlorodifluoromethane (CFC 12)99.90%
Dichloromethane99.90%
Dichlorvos99.90%
DiclofenacSodium99.90%
Diclorprop99.90%
Dieldrin Diethyl phthalate99.90%
Dinoseb99.90%
Diphenamid99.90%
Disulfoton99.90%
e.Coli99.90%
Endrin99.90%
EPTC99.90%
Erythromycin USP99.90%
Ethoprop99.90%
Ethylbenzene99.90%
Ethylene Dibromide (EDB)99.90%
Fecal Coliform99.90%
Fenamiphos99.90%
Fenarimol99.90%
Fluorene99.90%
Fluorobenzene99.90%
Fluridone99.90%
FR Coliphage99.99%
Free Chlorine99.90%
Gamma-Chlordane99.90%
Gemfibrozil99.90%
Glyphosate99.90%
Halo acidic Acids (HAA5)99.90%
Heptachlor99.90%
Heptachlor Epoxide99.90%
Hexachlorobenzene99.90%
Hexachlorobutadiene (CCC)99.90%
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene99.90%
HexazinoneIsophorone99.90%
Ibuprofen99.90%
Iron99.90%
Isopropylbenzene (Cumene)99.90%
Lead99.90%
Lindane (Gamma-BHC)99.90%
Manganese99.90%
MBAS96.67%
Mercury99.90%
Merphos99.90%
Methiocarb99.90%
Methomyl99.90%
Methoxychlor99.90%
Methyl Paraoxon99.90%
Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE)99.90%
Methylcyclohexane-methane99.90%
Metolachlor99.90%
Metribuzin99.90%
Mevinphos99.90%
MGK 26499.90%
Molinate99.90%
Molybdenum90.00%
Monochlorobenzene99.90%
MS2Coliphage99.99%
m-Xylenes99.90%
Naphthalene99.90%
Napropamide99.90%
NaproxenSodium99.90%
n-Butylbenzene99.90%
Nickel99.90%
Nitrites95.00%
Norflurazon99.90%
n-Propylbenzene99.90%
Oxamyl99.90%
o-Xylene99.90%
PCBs99.90%
Pebulate99.90%
Pentachlorophenol99.90%
PetroleumProducts99.90%
Picloram.99.90%
Primidone99.90%
Progesterone99.90%
Prometon99.90%
Prometryn99.90%
Pronamidea99.90%
Propazine99.90%
p-Xylenes99.90%
Raoultellaterrigena99.99%

Source: berkeyfilters.com

How to Get Big Berkey Water Filters in California?

Although these water filters are banned in California, here are some ways to know how you can get a Big Berkey filter in California without any issues or illegal means.

Do note that Berkey works on the principle of gravity shed countership mechanism where water attracts towards the bottom of the filter, i.e., towards the gravity. On the top side, sediments and contaminants are left behind.

So, what are the facts in actuality when you need a Berkey to remove contaminants from water, but you are unable to buy it as it’s not allowed here officially to be sold?

As a workaround, you can ask your friend or relative who lives in other countries or other cities to order it for you. It is allowed for use in this case.

Moreover, you don’t need to worry about the Replacement filters as the purification elements are the same in all types of Berkey products and they can be sent to CA.

Also Check: Best Sediment Filters for well water

Frequently Asked Questions

What do Berkey water filters not remove?

Although these filters can remove plenty of harmful elements in the water, they don’t remove mineral ions from the water.

But yes, they can remove sedimentary minerals. It’s not a negative point about these filters at all.

After how much time can I replace my Berkey filter?

It’s recommended to replace the Berkey filtration system with the Berkey brand after five years.

Although the filters last long, five years are enough where Berkey would deliver high-quality results.

Can a Berkey filter remove E. coli Bacteria from water?

Yes, it can remove E. coli bacteria from water with all other stains and types of bacteria. The filtered water is clean, clear, and safe for drinking.

Does Black Berkey filter elements remove lead?

Yes, it can remove lead particles from the water to make it cleaner for use.

Are these Berkey water filters safe to use?

Yes, these Berkey water filters are 100% safe to use due to their greater efficiency and capacity to remove harmful substances from water.

They provide you with quality and safe drinking water.

What kind of water filter system can you get in California?

While you are unable to get a Berkey in California, the state allows the sale of other water treatment systems that align with their health regulations and water quality standards.

It’s highly recommended to choose a water filtration system that is certified by California for safe water treatment.

Can you get Berkey water filters in other states?

Yes, other than California and Iowa, you can get Berkey water filters.

The ban on Berkey water filters only applies to the California market, while other states permit the use of the Berkey water filter system.

Is the water quality from Berkey filters satisfactory?

Yes, Berkey filter systems, such as the black Berkey filtration or Berkey light water filter, have been praised for their efficient particle removal in public or private drinking water.

However, bear in mind that the ban on Berkey water filters in California relates to state legislation, rather than performance.

Can I use Berkey water filters for city water?

Yes, Berkey filters can be used for a variety of water sources including city water. They are designed to filter out harmful chemicals and maintain the quality of water.

What is Berkey’s response to the California ban?

Berkey’s position is that California is “overreacting†and that its products do meet the high water quality standards required.

However, the specific costs and procedures involved in certification in California have made it unfeasible for Berkey to comply.

Are there any alternatives to Berkey water filters in California?

Yes, there are many alternatives to Berkey water filters in the California market.

Numerous other water filtration products are available that meet the state’s specifications for indoor water systems and are certified to dispense water for human consumption.

âœ”ï¸ Final Verdict

As of 2024, you cannot purchase Berkey water filters in California due to the ban on Berkey products. They are not certified to meet the indoor water systems standards for usage in California.

However, two types of filters are allowed, including Travel Berkey and Berkey Light. Primarily, using these filters, you get high-quality drinking water free of viruses, germs, and other contaminants in water. Moreover, some thoughts on how to get these filters are mentioned.

Now people are planning to again request Berkey for the certifications by California third-party companies.

For some years, Berkey didn’t allow its product to be certified by the companies and California State but it is hoped that it will be done sometime in the future.