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Berkey Lab Tests and Certifications
Black Berkey® Elements: Independent Lab Test Reports
Your hub for the official third-party laboratory test reports behind Berkey® water filter elements — what was tested, by whom, and where to read the full results.
Black Berkey® Elements are specially formulated to address 200+ typical contaminants found in tap water. That formulation is backed by independent third-party test reports from accredited laboratories, and every report referenced on this page is available as a full PDF so you can review the data for yourself. Berkey systems are designed to improve the taste and quality of treated municipal tap water in your home — on the kitchen counter, for everyday drinking water.
What the Test Reports Cover
The independent testing spans the major categories of typical tap water contaminants:
Chlorine, Taste & Odor
Chlorine and foaming agents (MBAS) that affect how tap water tastes and smells.
Chlorine and foaming agents (MBAS) that affect how tap water tastes and smells.
Heavy Metals
Lead, mercury, copper, nickel, and chromium VI.
Lead, mercury, copper, nickel, and chromium VI.
VOCs & Disinfection Byproducts
Volatile organic compounds, trihalomethanes (THMs), HAA5, and chloroform.
Volatile organic compounds, trihalomethanes (THMs), HAA5, and chloroform.
Pesticides & Herbicides
Common agricultural chemicals that can reach municipal water sources.
Common agricultural chemicals that can reach municipal water sources.
Pharmaceuticals & Petroleum
Trace pharmaceutical compounds and petroleum products.
Trace pharmaceutical compounds and petroleum products.
PFAS / PFOA
Perfluorinated chemicals, often called “forever chemicals.”
Perfluorinated chemicals, often called “forever chemicals.”
Radiologicals
Uranium, radium, and other gross alpha and gross beta emitters.
Uranium, radium, and other gross alpha and gross beta emitters.
Turbidity
Suspended particles that cloud tap water.
Suspended particles that cloud tap water.
Fluoride & Arsenic (PF-2™)
Addressed by the optional PF-2™ add-on elements, tested separately.
Addressed by the optional PF-2™ add-on elements, tested separately.
Official Black Berkey® Test Reports by Category
Each link below opens the full PDF report from the Berkey Water Knowledge Base.
Heavy Metals & General Chemical Reduction
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NSF Standard 53 & 42 Chemical Reduction Test Report (PDF)
Testing to NSF/ANSI 53 and 42 protocols covering heavy metals, VOCs, pharmaceuticals, and petroleum products. -
Heavy Metals, Chlorine, Turbidity & Chromium VI Test Report (PDF)
Covers heavy metals including lead and copper, plus chlorine, MBAS foaming agents, turbidity, and chromium VI. -
Lead Reduction Test Report (PDF)
Dedicated lead reduction testing for the Black Berkey® elements.
VOCs, Pesticides & Disinfection Byproducts
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VOC, Pesticide, THM & HAA5 Test Report (PDF)
Covers volatile organic compounds, pesticides, trihalomethanes, HAA5, and chloroform.
PFAS & Perfluorinated Chemicals
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PFOA & Perfluorinated Chemicals Test Report (PDF)
Independent testing for PFOA and related perfluorinated compounds.
Radiologicals
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Gross Alpha Radiologicals Test Report (PDF)
Alpha-emitting radiologicals including radium, plutonium, and uranium. -
Gross Beta Radiologicals Test Report (PDF)
Beta-emitting radiologicals, including isotopes of lead, nickel, and iodine. -
Uranium Test Report (PDF)
Dedicated uranium testing for the Black Berkey® elements.
PF-2™ Add-On Elements: Fluoride & Arsenic
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PF-2™ Fluoride & Arsenic Test Report (PDF)
Testing for the optional PF-2™ elements, which pair with Black Berkey® elements to address fluoride and arsenic.
The complete, always-current library of reports lives on the Black Berkey® Elements test results page of the Berkey Water Knowledge Base.
How to Read These Reports
Each PDF is a report from an independent third-party laboratory. When you open one, you will typically see the contaminant tested, the influent concentration (how much was in the water entering the element), the effluent concentration (how much remained after filtration), and the test protocol used — generally based on NSF/ANSI standards such as Standard 53 (health-related contaminants) and Standard 42 (aesthetic effects like chlorine, taste, and odor). Rather than relying on summary claims, you can check the measured before-and-after values for any contaminant that matters to your household.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Black Berkey® Elements independently tested?
Yes. Black Berkey® Elements are specially formulated to address 200+ typical contaminants found in tap water, and that formulation is backed by independent third-party laboratory test reports. The official PDFs are linked on this page and on the Berkey Water Knowledge Base.
Which contaminant categories do the test reports cover?
The reports cover chlorine and taste-and-odor compounds, heavy metals (such as lead, copper, nickel, and chromium VI), VOCs, trihalomethanes, HAA5, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, petroleum products, PFOA and perfluorinated chemicals, radiologicals (uranium, radium, gross alpha and beta), turbidity, and MBAS foaming agents. The optional PF-2™ add-on elements are tested separately for fluoride and arsenic.
Do the test reports cover lead?
Yes. Lead appears in several reports, including a dedicated lead reduction test report and the broader heavy-metals reports. Open the linked PDFs to see the measured influent and effluent lead concentrations from the laboratory testing.
What do the PF-2™ add-on elements do?
PF-2™ elements attach to Black Berkey® Elements and are designed to address fluoride and arsenic in tap water. Their independent test report is linked in the PF-2™ section above.
What kind of water are Berkey systems designed for?
Berkey systems are designed to improve the taste and quality of treated municipal tap water at home. They sit on the kitchen counter and provide everyday drinking water, with no plumbing hookup required.
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