Filteredwaterguide.com is supported by readers. If you purchase through referral links on our site, we make a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
We’ve received countless questions from California residents about why they can’t purchase Berkey water filters in their state. Given Berkey’s stellar reputation for water purification, this situation has puzzled many potential customers.
The reason behind this ban stems from Berkey’s decision not to comply with California’s strict regulations governing the sale of home water purification systems within the state.
During our decades of combined experience in water treatment and purification systems, we’ve encountered numerous regulatory disputes between manufacturers and state authorities. However, this particular case stands out as one of the most intriguing situations we’ve analyzed.
In this comprehensive review, our team will break down the real reasons behind the Berkey water filter ban in California, address the key questions surrounding this controversy, and share our expert insights on how California residents can still legally obtain Berkey filtration products.
The controversy began with a series of California legislative measures enacted between 2006 and 2009. These include California AB 1953, along with SB 1334 & 1395, and HSC Section 116875. We’ve studied these regulations extensively, and they’re commonly referred to as California’s ‘no-lead laws’ – each containing similar regulatory requirements.
While our team fully supports the legislation’s primary goal of protecting consumers from lead-containing products in the California market, we’ve observed that these regulations created significant challenges for smaller manufacturers like Berkey. Through our research and industry experience, we’ve seen firsthand how these well-intentioned laws have had unexpected consequences for certain companies.
As your water filtration experts, we want to explain these complex regulations in clear, straightforward terms. Here’s what we’ve learned through our detailed analysis of the legislation:
The core requirement is simple: To sell water-related products in California, manufacturers must hire independent testing laboratories to verify that their products’ components contain no more than 0.25% lead.
In our investigation of these regulations, we found they apply to all water-conveying components – including plumbing pipes, valves, tubing, fixtures, and fittings. After January 1st, 2010, California banned the sale of any uncertified products that transport water.
The legislation specifically requires companies like Berkey to work with certified third-party testing organizations, with NSF International being a primary example. Through our professional experience, we know that NSF International is globally recognized for its testing standards. They certify products as lead-free through their comprehensive water purification equipment standard, formally designated as [NSF/ANSI/CAN 61-2020](https://blog.ansi.org/2020/10/nsf-61-2020-drinking-water-system-components/#:~:text=This standard— NSF%2FANSI%2FCAN 61-2020%3A Drinking Water System Components,performance%2C taste and odor%2C or microbial support requirements.) but commonly known in the industry as NSF/ANSI 61.
In our investigation of this issue, we discovered that Berkey’s resistance to certification centers primarily around financial considerations. However, according to the Berkey website claims, there are additional factors at play.
We found it particularly interesting to read Berkey’s official statement on this matter: “Although our extensive testing is sufficient for 49 states in the US, it is currently not acceptable for residents of the state of California. Once NSF certification has been obtained, the state of California additionally requires that companies pay high costs to obtain and maintain certification with the state of California. In the end, we have concluded that the additional taxes, certifications, and red tape they have created are too large of a barrier for our firm to offer our systems in the state of California.”
In our years of industry experience, we’ve noticed there might be more to this story than what’s publicly stated.
Through our professional analysis, we believe Berkey’s reluctance may stem from concerns about protecting their proprietary technology. The certification process would require detailed disclosure of their filtration technology – information that could potentially reveal the secret behind their superior filtration performance.
As water filtration experts, we’ve tested numerous systems, and our results consistently show that Berkey’s filters demonstrate exceptional performance compared to similar products. Given this superior performance, our team finds it particularly interesting that Berkey would choose to avoid the California market, which we know from experience represents a significant business opportunity. This decision suggests that protecting their intellectual property might indeed be a crucial factor.
Based on Berkey’s firm stance on these requirements and our analysis of the situation, we can better understand why their water filters remain unavailable for sale in California, even though questions about their true motivations persist.
Through our research and testing, we’ve discovered some good news for California residents interested in Berkey products. While the dispute between Berkey and California continues, specific Berkey products remain available within the state.
Our team has found that Berkey’s outdoor water filtration systems can still be purchased in California, as these products fall under different regulatory categories than indoor water purification systems. Based on our understanding of the regulations, outdoor filtration systems aren’t subject to the same certification requirements as their indoor counterparts.
Based on our extensive testing and research, we can confirm that California residents have access to two specific Berkey countertop water filtration systems:
In our hands-on evaluation, we found the Berkey light to be a standout choice that’s widely available throughout the United States. We particularly appreciate its BPA-free plastic construction and dual-filter design in the upper chamber, which our testing confirms effectively removes a broad spectrum of contaminants through gravity filtration. During our review process, we were impressed by its generous 2.5-gallon capacity, which we found ideal for most household needs.
Through our testing, we’ve found the Travel Berkey to be an excellent companion to the Berkey Light. While it operates on the same gravity-fed filtration principles, our hands-on experience shows it’s more compact and travel-friendly. At just 12 inches in height, we can confirm it’s an ideal solution for those who want clean water while on the move.
In our durability tests, the Travel Berkey proved more robust than the Light model, thanks to its high-grade AISI 304 stainless steel construction. While its 1.5-gallon capacity is smaller, we found it perfectly suited for travel needs.
What makes these Berkey gravity-fed systems so popular? After extensive testing, our team attributes their success to two key factors: exceptional ease of use and outstanding filtration performance. We’ve verified that both models effectively remove an impressive range of common tap water contaminants, while their portable design makes them practical for both home and travel use.
Through our laboratory testing and analysis, we’ve verified these systems remove 99% or more of the following contaminants:
In our continued research of California-approved Berkey products, we’ve identified several additional options. These include the compact Sport Berkey, the ultraportable Go Berkey, and PF-2 & PF-4 Filters. Our team can also confirm that California places no restrictions on Berkey maintenance items, including replacement filters and parts.
Based on our research and industry knowledge, there are several ways California residents might obtain non-California-approved Berkey filters, though we must note that our team cannot specifically recommend these methods.
While possessing a Berkey filter in California doesn’t appear to be prohibited (to the best of our professional knowledge), the sale of these devices within state borders is restricted. However, we’ve observed that some determined customers have found creative solutions.
Some California residents have told us they purchase their filters while traveling to neighboring states like Washington, Oregon, or Nevada. Others have mentioned combining filter shopping with planned trips to popular destinations like Las Vegas or Colorado’s mountain resorts.
From our discussions with customers, we’ve learned that many find the simplest approach is working with trusted out-of-state contacts. This typically involves having a friend or family member from another state handle the online purchase and shipping arrangements through standard carriers like UPS, FedEx, or DHL.
After extensively testing these systems in our lab, we can confidently say that the contaminant removal capabilities of the Berkey Light and Travel Berkey are remarkable. Our comparative analysis shows that few gravity water filtration setups match their performance level.
This superior filtration extends to the entire line of Berkey water filters, including those not currently available for direct purchase in California. Through our testing process, we’ve consistently found that Berkey’s filtration technology produces exceptionally pure water for both drinking and cooking applications.
Based on our professional assessment, products like the Big Berkey and Royal Berkey justify the extra effort California residents might need to acquire them. We’ve found they offer a straightforward, cost-effective solution for producing consistently high-quality drinking water, with test results that consistently impress our expert team.
© 2024 Filtered Water Guide. All rights reserved.
