Last year when Hurricane Ike hit, the power at the water pumping station went out.  What that meant for us was a boil-order for several days after.  Fortunately, water still flowed from the taps and we had a gas stove, so we were able to boil everything up without electricity and use the toilets.

That was a pretty in-your-face wake up call about the importance of sanitary water, especially during a crisis.  I’d seen the Berkey filters on a few other blogs, and when our tax money came in, I ordered one.   It’s pricey upfront, but works out to a lot cheaper per gallon than filters you can buy at Target or WalMart.  It’s probably the most expensive item I’ve invested in as part of our disaster preparedness efforts, but I’d spend that money again in a heartbeat.  For me, the security of knowing I will have access to clean water is worth that much.

I had done a lot of research, and went with Berkey because it is portable, cheaper than Brita or other filters, does not use any electricity or batteries, and the filters last for a really long time.  You can pour river or creek water (or roof runoff) in the top and clear, safe, parasite free water will come out the bottom.   Lab tests show that it removes parasites, bacteria, and pollutants.  (You do have to get a special filter for flouride, and I didn’t get one of those.)

We purchased a Berkey Light and I use it every day -not just for emergencies!  Quite often, our water tastes like dirt and this filter takes it all away.  The Berkey Light has a plastic body that can be nested for light, quick transportation or storage.  They also have stainless steel models.

We’ve had our filter for a year and I highly recommend the system.  It also makes great, clear ice cubes – our tap water leaves floaties!

Clean water, works for me!  For more WFMW check out We Are THAT Family.

I’ve been wanting to blog about our filter for a while, but never got around to it – but I recently took on a new advertiser on the sidebar who sells the Berkey system, Our Happy Homestead.  They sell lots of homesteading items, including grain mills, as well.

****Bloggers with integrity – while Our Happy Homestead is a paid advertiser on this blog, I do not get any referral fee or commission for recommending their products.  I am recommending the Berkey because I own and use it every day.****