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Water Purification Overview…….

In everyday life – my family and I normally drink bottled water or filtered water source coming through our refrigerator. Up until recently water filtration was one area that I very much lacked in my survival preps. I decided to do some “research” on water purification and work to improve my situation. 

In looking for water filters – they had to meet certain requirments in order to be included in my TSHTF supplies: 

1. Filter out typical contaminents  such as larger particles (dirt!)
2. Filter out unwanted invisible contaminants such as pathogens that can cause you to get violently ill
3. Filter out anything that may make the water taste bad and smell (chlorine for example)
4. Remove heavy metals
5. Remove any chemicals such as pesticides and solvents
6. Remove fluoride
7. Filter needs to last for awhile so they are not being changed constantly

In other words – when I collect “bad” water – I want to be able to remove the “bad” stuff. 

I decided to take a look at my local Wal-Mart to see what they had to offer – if anything. 

 ABOVE -When arriving to the water filter section – there were quite a few types. Many were obviously similar and coming from different manufactures. As you can see from the picture above – most filters were of the “pitcher” type – just like what mom used to pour kool-aid out of when I was a kid. Prices started around $18.00 . 

 ABOVE -Here is a Pur brand water filtration pitcher. It states on the box that it is “the only pitcher that removes 99.9% of microbial cysts”. 

 ABOVE -This Filtrete Water Station is promoted as taking water from the tap and making it as clean as bottled water. Funny thing……the fine print states “do not use with water that is microbiological unsafe “. I suspect that after TSHTF – I may not know about the safety of the water I am using – that is why I need a water purification system. Hmmmmm……. 

 BELOW – A specification list for a Brita filter. A couple of observations. First – the filter has a life of 40 gallons. Second – the Brita is very limited on hat it can remove from water. This pitcher advertises that it can reduces only a few contaminants. Just not something that can be relied upon after TSHTF. 

 ABOVE -This Pur 2 stage water filter does much better of meeting my requirements. One of my biggest criticisms is that it says to replace the filter after only 40 gallons of “clean water”. Clean water? If what I had was clean I wouldn’t be using a filter system. 

BELOW -Same Pur filter system as above…..notice the fine print to only use “water that is microbiologically safe”. Again – this may be a serious limit. 

 The Pur 2 stage filter was the only filter system that I saw at Wal-Mart that may meet my requirements. When looking at the specifications it does remove remove 99.9% of microbiological cysts (cryptosporidium and giardia) – which is important. It does not remove Fluoride. So – not bad. 

Most survivalists will be familar with Berkey. Berkey is the king of water purification systems and they have been used all over the world to make certain that users do not become ill from water. 

 

Below is a comparison chart that shows Berkey in different configurations compared to other top brands. The more you study this chart – the more impressed you will become with Berkey. Berkey just flat out is a superior product.

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BRAND	Berkey	Aquasana	aquaPure	Brita	Brita	Culligan	eSpring	Everpure	GE	Kenmore	PUR
MODEL	Big Berkey	AQ-4000	DWS1000	Faucet Filter	Pitcher Filter	SY-2300	100188	H-54	Smart Water GXSV10C	Deluxe 38465	Plus FM-3000
Retail Price	$250	$99.99	$349.95	$34.95	$24.95	$159.95	$577.20	$359.99	$139.99	$149.99	$49.99
Replacement Cartridge Cost/ Capacity	$99/ 6000 Gal.	$48/ 500 Gal.	$79/ 625 Gal.	$20/ 100 Gal.	$7.70/ 30 Gal.	$50.39/ 500 Gal.	$173.30 / 1320 Gal.	$100.99 / 750 Gal.	$60.00 / 540 Gal.	$49.00 / 500 Gal.	$20.00 / 100 Gal.
Per Gallon “Cost Of Use”	1.6 cents Per Gal	9.6 cents Per Gal.	13 cents Per Gal.	20 cents Per Gal.	25 cents Per Gal.	10 cents Per Gal.	13.1 cents Per Gal.	13.5 cents Per Gal.	11 cents Per Gal.	9.8 cents Per Gal.	20 cents Per Gal.
Total Cost For 6 Years 6000 gals.	$250.00	$627.00	$999.00	$1214.95	$1523.91	$710.38	$1405.50	$904.90	$749.99	$688.99	$1229.99
Removes Viruses	YES >99.999%	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO	NO
Removes Chlorine	YES >99.999%	YES 99%	YES 97%	YES 99%	YES >75%	YES 97%	YES >98%	YES >87%	YES 97%	YES 99%	YES 98%
Removes Lead	YES 96%	YES >99%	YES 95%	YES 99%	YES 93%	YES 95%	YES 99%	YES 98%	YES 98%	YES 92%	YES 96%
Removes Cysts	YES >99.999999	YES >99.99%	YES >99%	YES >99%	NO	YES 99%	YES >99%	YES >99%	YES >99%	NO	YES >99%
Removes THMs	YES >99.999%	YES >99%	YES 92%	NO	NO	YES 95%	YES >99%	NO	YES 95%	YES 99%	NO
Removes VOCs	YES >99.999%	YES >99%	YES 92%	NO	NO	YES 95%	YES >99%	NO	YES 99%	YES 95%	NO
Removes Lindane	YES >99.999%	YES >99%	YES >99%	YES 99%	NO	YES 99%	YES >99%	NO	YES 99%	YES 99%	YES 97%
Removes Alachlor	YES >99.999%	YES >98%	YES 98%	YES 99%	NO	YES 98%	YES 99%	NO	YES 98%	YES 95%	NO
Removes Atrazine	YES >99.999%	YES >97%	YES 97%	YES 92%	NO	YES 97%	YES >88%	NO	YES 97%	YES 97%	YES 96%
Removes Benzene	YES >99.999%	YES >99%	YES >99%	YES 96%	NO	YES 99%	YES >96%	NO	YES 99%	YES 83%	NO
Removes TCE	YES >99.999%	YES >99%	YES >99%	YES 99%	NO	YES 99%	YES >96%	NO	YES 99%	YES 98%	NO
Removes MTBE	NO/ YES with add on PF-2	YES >93%	NO	NO	NO	YES 90%	YES >96%	NO	NO	NO	NO
Removes Fluoride	NO/ YES with add on PF-2	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated
Removes Nitrates	YES	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated	NOT Stated

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Remember – I am looking at water purification equipment for a survival situation. With that in mind – my decision is Berkey. Berkey provides the filtering ability that may be needed after TSHTF as well as the capacity (one filter = lots of water).

Although you can go to Wal-Mart and spend $20.00 on a “water filter” – it will not provide you the ability to gather water from questionable sources and filter it to a drinkable level. This will be very important in a situation where running water has stopped, water is being gathered from streams, lakes, ponds, water heaters, etc. This is the water that you will be offering to your family – you must make sure it is safe.

So – I recommend Berkey for your water purification needs. They can be purchased from Directive21.com – great selection and great prices.

I recently did a review on the Berkey Sport Bottle which I highly recommend for portable filtering. I also have a Big Berkey which I will be doing a review on soon (like in the picture below).

If you have not invested in water purification equipment yet – it may not be as expensive as you think nor is it very complex. Go to Directive21.com for more information. When you order please tell them that Rourke sent you.

Take care all -

Rourke

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