The Bottom Line
The Berkey was once the most popular gravity-fed water filter among health-conscious families. Then in December 2023, the EPA issued a stop-sale order. Here's what actually happened, what it means for you, and what to use instead.
What Happened to Berkey?
If you've been in any mom group, crunchy parenting community, or emergency preparedness forum over the past decade, you've heard of Berkey. It was the gold standard. The filter everyone swore by. The one your friend with the organic garden recommended.
Then, seemingly overnight, it disappeared from shelves. Here's the timeline:
- October 2023: The EPA issued a stop-sale, stop-use order against New Millennium Concepts, Berkey's parent company.
- The reason: The EPA classified Berkey's Black Berkey filters as "pesticide devices" under FIFRA (the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act) because Berkey claimed their filters killed bacteria and viruses.
- The problem: If you claim a product kills pathogens, the EPA requires registration and testing. Berkey never registered.
- 2024: Berkey appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
- 2026: Berkey filters remain unavailable for sale in the United States.
Key Fact
Berkey never held NSF certification for any of their filtration claims. Not one. Their testing was self-funded and not independently verified by a third-party laboratory.
What This Means For Current Berkey Owners
If you're reading this while glancing at the Berkey on your counter, take a breath. The situation is nuanced.
- Your Berkey still filters water. The EPA's order was a stop-sale, not a recall. The physical filter media didn't change overnight.
- However, there's no independent verification of what it actually removes. Berkey's specific contaminant removal claims were never tested by an independent third party like NSF International.
- Replacement filters are difficult to find in the US. With the stop-sale in effect, sourcing legitimate Black Berkey replacement elements has become increasingly challenging.
- The bigger concern isn't the EPA action itself — it's what the action revealed: that a company trusted by millions of families never submitted its product for the kind of independent verification that is standard across the water filtration industry.
Why Berkey Was So Popular
I want to be fair here because I understand the appeal. For years, the Berkey checked every box that mattered to families like ours:
- Gravity-fed: No electricity needed. Fill it up, gravity does the work.
- Large capacity: The Big Berkey held 2.25 gallons — enough for a whole family.
- No plumbing required: Renters, apartment dwellers, and anyone who didn't want to drill into their countertop loved this.
- Strong word-of-mouth: It spread through natural living communities, homeschool groups, and crunchy mom circles like wildfire.
- Emergency preparedness: It was marketed heavily to the prepper community as a reliable off-grid water solution.
The Berkey wasn't just a filter. It was a symbol of taking control of your family's health. I get it. That's what makes this whole situation so frustrating.
The Certification Problem
Here's where I have to put on my researcher hat, because this is the part that matters most.
NSF International is an independent organization that tests water filters to verify manufacturer claims. When a filter is "NSF certified," it means a lab that doesn't work for the filter company has confirmed: yes, this product actually removes what it says it removes.
- Berkey: Never NSF certified. Not for a single contaminant. Their "tests" were self-funded studies that the company paid for and controlled.
- AquaTru: Holds NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473 certifications.
- Clearly Filtered: Holds NSF 42, 53, 244, 401, and 473 certifications.
NSF certification means an independent lab verifies the claims. Without it, you're trusting the company's word. And when that company fights the EPA instead of simply getting certified, that tells you something.
What I Recommend Instead
For families who loved their Berkey, here are NSF-certified alternatives that I've researched and trust:
AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis
This is what I switched to. Reverse osmosis beats gravity filtration in independent testing, and it sits on your counter with zero plumbing — just like a Berkey. The filters last 6 months to 2 years depending on the stage. It's more expensive upfront, but every claim on the box has been independently verified.
Check Price on AmazonClearly Filtered Water Pitcher
If you're not ready to spend $449, the Clearly Filtered pitcher is a fantastic entry point. It removes more contaminants than any other pitcher on the market, and it's backed by real NSF testing. Great for families who want clean water now without a major investment.
Check Price on AmazonAquasana Under-Sink Filter
If you own your home and want a permanent solution, an under-sink system is the way to go. Aquasana's models connect to your cold water line and filter everything that comes out of that tap. Out of sight, out of mind — in the best way.
What I Use Instead
The closest experience to a Berkey (countertop, no plumbing) with actual NSF certifications backing every claim. This is what replaced the Berkey on my counter.
View AquaTru on AmazonAffiliate link — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
The Verdict
I can't recommend the Berkey in 2026. Not because it definitely doesn't work — but because there's no independent proof that it does, the company fought the EPA instead of getting certified, and the Supreme Court sided against them. When it comes to my kids' water, "probably works" isn't good enough. I need the receipts.
If you're a current Berkey owner looking for a switch: the AquaTru is the closest experience (countertop, no plumbing) with actual NSF certifications backing every claim.
What Was Good
- Gravity-fed, no electricity
- Large capacity (2.25 gal)
- No plumbing required
- Durable stainless steel build
The Problems
- No NSF certification — ever
- EPA stop-sale order (2023)
- Supreme Court declined appeal
- Unavailable in the US
- Self-funded, unverified testing
- Replacement filters hard to source
Comparison: Berkey vs. the Alternatives
Here's how the Berkey stacks up against the certified alternatives I recommend:
| Feature | Berkey (Big Berkey) | AquaTru | Clearly Filtered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $280 (was) | $449 | $90 |
| NSF Certified | No | Yes (42, 53, 58, 401, P473) | Yes (42, 53, 244, 401, 473) |
| Contaminants Removed | 200+ (self-reported) | 84 (independently verified) | 365+ (independently tested) |
| Filtration Type | Gravity / Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Affinity Filtration |
| Available in US | No (stop-sale) | Yes | Yes |
| Plumbing Required | No | No | No |
| Electricity Required | No | Yes | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
The Berkey is not technically "banned," but the EPA issued a stop-sale order against New Millennium Concepts (Berkey's parent company) in October 2023. The EPA classified the Black Berkey filters as unregistered pesticide devices because Berkey claimed they killed bacteria and viruses without obtaining the required EPA registration. Berkey appealed to the Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case in 2024. As of 2026, Berkey filters remain unavailable for sale in the United States.
If you already own a Berkey, the physical filter media hasn't changed — it still filters water. However, there are two concerns: the specific contaminant removal claims were never independently verified by a third-party lab like NSF, and replacement filters are increasingly difficult to find in the US. The EPA's order was a stop-sale, not a recall, so there is no legal requirement to stop using your existing unit.
Berkey never pursued NSF certification for any of their filtration claims. NSF certification requires independent laboratory testing that verifies a filter actually removes the contaminants a company claims it removes. Berkey relied on self-funded tests rather than independent third-party verification. The company never explained publicly why they chose not to obtain NSF certification, which is standard practice among reputable water filter manufacturers.
The best Berkey replacement depends on your budget and needs. For the closest experience to a Berkey (countertop, no plumbing), the AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis system ($449) is our top pick — it holds NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, and P473 certifications and removes 84 verified contaminants. For a budget-friendly option, the Clearly Filtered Pitcher ($90) is NSF tested for 365+ contaminants. For homeowners wanting a permanent solution, the Aquasana Under-Sink system ($160-200) offers NSF 42, 53, and 401 certifications.