Sana Vida Filtration System FAQs
- Who is the maker of British Berkefld filters?
- Berkefeld Brand owned by Doulton® is proud to have been a pioneer in providing families with access to clean drinking water since 1826. Using 100% natural materials, our ceramic water filters improve the look, odor and taste of tap water by filtering out 99.99% plus of contaminants, filtering out bacteria, cysts and particles while keeping in all of the healthy minerals. Berkefeld filters are NSF Certified with the guidance of the EPA.
- Is this comparable with the Berkey Water filters?
- Berkefeld filters are far superior to Berkey filters.
Berkey is no longer allowed to sell their filters due to many unsubstantiated claims they made to sell their product. British Berkefeld’s ceramic filters are designed for a more thorough filtration process, backed by NSF certification and 200 years of experience.
- What do they filter?
- From any water source; municipal systems, wells, rivers and springs - our filter candles deliver very clean, high quality drinking water by filtering out contaminants that affect the quality and taste of water.
In addition to the filter, the containers for our system are made from pure copper, an inherently clean material with very strong antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties among its many benefits.
- 99.99% Bacteria (including E.coli, cholera, Shigella, typhoid, Klebsiella Terrigena)
- 99.9% Cysts (including Cryptosporidium, Giardia)
- 95% Range of Pesticides
- 99.5% Pharmaceuticals
- 99% Chlorine
- 99% Microplastics
- 99% Nanoplastics- from a size of .5 micros
- 99.5% heavy metals
- 99.5% Lead
- 99.9% PFAS, including PFOA and PFOS
- 99% Fluoride (This is only for the Berkefeld Ultra Fluoride Filter)
- NSF/ANSI Certified Standard 42 - Material Requirements
- NSF/ANSI Certified 53 – Health Affects
- NSF/ANSI Certified 372 –Lead Content
- NSF/ANSI/CAN 401 – Emerging Compounds / Incidental Contaminants
- Do you have a lab report I can check out?
- Yes, feel free to read the report here.
- What is the main difference between the Berkefeld Ultra Sterasyl filter and the Berkefeld Ultra Sterasyl Fluoride filter?
- Both filters remove all the same contaminants, bacteria, microplastics, however the Fluoride filter also have the additional capability of removing all the chemicals made to Fluorinate municipal waters.
- How many filters do I need?
- Although two filters work fine, it is recommended to use four (4) filters to increase flow rate and longevity. We include two plugs with the unit so you can use two filters at a time, or, pop out the plugs and use all four spaces. *Please note*-only two Fluoride filters can be used at a time in the system.
- How long can my water stay in the copper unit?
- One of the added benefits of using
a copper system is that copper is inherently an anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-fungal metal, so your water can stay in the unit indefinitely and stay fresh and clean to drink. If you are headed out on vacation, we do recommend draining the system and removing the top lid so the filters can dry out.
- What are the health benefits of drinking water from Copper-made materials?
- The Ayurvedic practice of storing water in copper for improved health and water quality goes back thousands of years.
Modern science has recently come to understand some of these benefits and describe them as ‘the oligodynamic effect’ on bacteria and viruses.
Drinking water from copper can offer several potential benefits, including improved digestion and enhanced skin and joint health. We have written about the special effects of the Oligodynamic effect in detail and have included links in our research.
- What is the difference between the Niagara Water Dispenser and the Sana Vida Water Dispenser?
- Our Niagara Water Dispenser we first made about 10 years ago and is solely a water dispenser with no filtration capabilities, just a beautiful vessel we made specifically to hold 5 gallon water jugs, glass or plastic, as you find with water delivery services such as Mountain Valley Springs... The Sana Vida Filtration System is a two stage gravity water purification system for customers looking for the added level of protection, security, purity and taste for their water source, be that municipal, ground or surface water. This is ideal for those who wish to filter their own water and not have to buy it.
- Is this 100% copper, and is your copper lined?
- We use pure copper with no lining, coating or lacquer.
There is a small amount of zinc added in the foundry process to assist in the workability, however the quality and benefits of copper are not affected.
Because of the intense work and processes we put our copper through to form our pieces, any other impurities in the metal would make it too brittle to withstand the transformation into the finished pieces. No, we do not use any lacquer on our products.
- How can I clean my filtration system?
- We recommend cleaning your system at least once a year. It really depends on many factors, such as your preference for shine or patina and the quality of your water (some minerals in water will cause the interior to patina more quickly.
This does not adversely affect your water!)
We clean our copper two or three times a year with Wright’s Copper Crème.
It is a fast and effect way to remove any patina that can form both inside and out, and can be completely rinsed free.
We also remove patina from the interior of the vessel by adding the juice of a few lemons or a cup of vinegar in addition to a tablespoon of salt while the vessel is filled completely with water.
Let this sit overnight and it is a quick and easy way to bring back the pink bare copper surface free from patina.
If there is a very heavy patina, you can also use the scouring side of a sponge (on the interior only!
It will scratch the high polished exterior), or use the Wright’s copper cream.
After any of these processes, be sure to thoroughly rinse with mild soapy water after you have poured out and rinsed the polish or acidic solution.
This will neutralize any residual acid that may quickly patina your vessel.
After a final rinse with pure water, thoroughly towel dry your copper (just as you would with silver or crystal) to avoid any spotting!
- Is this an electric system?
- There is no power required.
This is a gravity powered system. Just add your water into the top unit with the filters and let gravity do its work! The water will pass through the filters and down the filter stem into the dispenser for your use.
- Can I keep water in the top unit so it can filter down as needed?
- You cannot keep water in the top unit! It does not work as a reserve.
Any water added to the top filtration section, will be filtered into the lower dispenser and can OVERFLOW if the capacity of the lower unit is exceeded!
We do sell a site tube spigot that can be used to see the water level in the lower unit.
- How often do I need to replace my filters?
- Depending on the quality of your water,
it is recommended to replace your filters every 6 to 12 months. Each candle filters 400 gallons of water, so it depends on how often you are filtering your water and the contaminants the filter is removing.
- How do I install the filters?
- We prefer to give our filters a first rinse to remove any of the porcelain dust before placing them in the unit.
Unscrew the wingnut from the stem of the filter, and make sure the silicone washer is sitting flush to the base of the filterpushed up the stem so it is flush with the base of the filter. Insert the stem through the hole so that the filters are standing upright in the top unit.
Secure the filters by tightening the wingnut on the bottom side of the top unit. Be sure to flush the system at least twice before drinking. This initial flush will take time as the filters can be slow to saturate with water.
- Why are the Berkefeld Ceramic Filters slow after the initial set up?
- While our filters do not require any priming for first use (making for a very easy set up), they do take some extra time on the initial use to saturate with water before the water begins passing through to the lower unit.
Do not worry, your flow will quickly improve!
- Can I use the filters with well water?
- Yes, these filters are great with well water.
The filters will not remove the natural occurring minerals in your water.
The filters will not ‘soften’ your water.
- What is the shelf life?
- The shelf life of the Berkefeld ceramic filters is indefinite. In other words they will last until you need them.
- Where are these filters made?
- Fairey Industrial Ceramics Ltd, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, is the sole manufacturer of Doulton® and British Berkefeld® ceramic drinking water filters. You can call Doulton at +44 1782 664420 to confirm. Their website is www.doulton.com.
- Can I use another brand of filters in your copper system? Do you sell the system without filters?
- We do sell the system without the filters listed on our site as the ‘Bare Bones’.
You can use any brand of gravity filters with our systems.
The pass through holes are a standard industry size.
Just be sure to check that the filters have similar dimensions to the filters we use in our systems, approximately 2” diameter and 7” tall.
- I have the Niagara Copper Water dispenser. Can I upgrade to the Copper Water filter system?
- Yes! We now make the Niagara Water Vessel specifically for the Niagara Water Dispenser. You can now filter your own water by adding the Niagara Vessel to your dispenser.
