Why Are Berkey Water Filters Banned in California?
Complete guide explaining why Berkey water filters cannot be legally sold in California, the certification requirements, and legal alternatives for California residents.
Bruce Zawalsky
Survival & DIY Expert
28+ years experience
28+ years wilderness survival and hands-on construction experience. Author of "Canadian Wilderness Survival."
Education
Canadian Armed Forces Wilderness Survival Training
Quick Answer
Berkey water filters are not "banned" in California - they simply lack the required state certification for sale. Owning or using a Berkey in California is perfectly legal. California requires all water treatment products making health claims to be certified by the State Water Resources Control Board. Berkey has chosen not to pursue this certification, so retailers cannot legally sell Berkeys to California addresses.
The Full Story
The California water filter situation is often misunderstood. Many people think there's something wrong with Berkey filters.
Others believe California has targeted the brand. However, the reality is more bureaucratic.
What People Think
- • California discovered Berkey filters are unsafe
- • Berkey failed government safety tests
- • Using a Berkey in California is illegal
- • Berkey is hiding something
The Reality
- • It's a certification paperwork issue
- • Berkey hasn't submitted for CA testing
- • Owning/using Berkey in CA is legal
- • Berkey objection is to process, not results
California Health and Safety Code Section 116830 is the key regulation here. The law requires certification from the California State Water Resources Control Board.
This applies to any water device sold in the state. All products that claim to treat, filter, or improve water quality must be certified.
This includes both point-of-use and point-of-entry treatment devices.
California Certification Requirements
California has some of the strictest water filter rules in the country. The state wants to protect consumers from ineffective products.
To legally sell a water treatment device in California, manufacturers must meet these five requirements:
Third-party lab testing
Independent verification of contaminant removal claims
California-specific test protocols
Testing must follow California State Water Board procedures
Annual certification renewal
Products must be recertified each year
Manufacturing facility inspection
Production facilities may be subject to inspection
Labeling compliance
Specific California labeling requirements must be met
Why This Matters
These requirements exist for good reason. Some companies have marketed ineffective or harmful water filters in the past.
These products gave consumers false confidence. California's rules ensure products actually do what they claim.
Berkey's Response
Berkey has publicly addressed the California situation. The company has explained why they won't pursue certification. Here's their position:
Berkey says their independent lab testing exceeds California's standards. Their filters remove more contaminants than required.
Their testing data is not in California's required format. This means they would need to do duplicate testing.
The certification process is expensive and takes a long time. Berkey decided it's not worth the investment.
Berkey continues to sell in 49 other states and internationally without issues.
"Our test results show that Black Berkey® Purification Elements far exceed any other gravity filter element available today. However, California requires testing in a specific format. This means we would need to duplicate our existing testing."
- Paraphrased from Berkey official communications
Legal Options for California Residents
If you're a California resident who specifically wants a Berkey, you have several legal options:
Purchase While Traveling
Buy a Berkey in Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, or any other state while traveling. Then bring it back to California yourself. This is completely legal.
Ship to Out-of-State Address
Have the system shipped to a friend or family member in another state. You can also use a PO box. Then pick it up or have them send it to you.
Buy Used
The law restricts commercial sales only. Private party sales between individuals work differently. These are not regulated the same way.
Receive as Gift
Have someone outside California purchase it as a gift and ship it to you. The restriction is on sales, not gifts.
Important Clarification
Owning a Berkey water filter in California is 100% legal. Using one is also perfectly legal.
The restriction only applies to commercial sales within the state. You cannot be penalized for having one in your home.
California-Certified Alternatives
| Product | CA Certified | Capacity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ProOne Big+ Gravity Filter | ✓ Yes | 2.75 gal | $280-320 | Closest Berkey alternative, CA certified |
| Alexapure Pro | ✓ Yes | 2.25 gal | $200-250 | Popular prepper choice, good capacity |
| Aquasana Clean Water Machine | ✓ Yes | Countertop | $150-180 | Electric powered, fast filtration |
| ZeroWater 40-Cup | ✓ Yes | 40 cups | $60-80 | Budget option, frequent filter changes |
Top Recommendation: ProOne Big+
The ProOne Big+ is the closest alternative to Berkey. It has similar design, capacity, and filtration capability.
It's California-certified and uses gravity filtration technology like Berkey. The contaminant removal rates are also comparable.
Berkey vs California-Certified Alternatives
Where Berkey Excels
- ✓ Longest filter lifespan (6,000 gallons/element)
- ✓ Most extensive contaminant removal list
- ✓ Strongest brand reputation
- ✓ Best resale value
- ✓ Widest range of sizes
Where Alternatives Excel
- ✓ California-certified (legal to purchase)
- ✓ Often lower initial cost
- ✓ Easier to obtain replacement filters
- ✓ Local retailer support
- ✓ Warranty claims easier to process
The Bottom Line
California residents who want easy purchasing should consider certified alternatives. Products like ProOne are excellent choices that provide comparable water quality.
However, if you specifically want a Berkey, you can obtain one through the legal methods described above.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Berkey water filters banned in California?
Berkey water filters are not technically "banned" in California. However, they cannot be legally sold there because they lack state certification. The California State Water Resources Control Board requires certification for any product making health claims about water treatment.
Can I legally own a Berkey filter in California?
Yes, owning and using a Berkey water filter in California is completely legal. The restriction is on selling them within the state. It does not apply to possession or use. Many California residents purchase Berkeys while traveling. Others have them shipped to addresses in other states.
Why won't Berkey get California certified?
Berkey says the California certification process is expensive and takes too long. Their testing data exceeds what California requires. However, it is not in the specific format California demands. They have chosen not to pursue certification at this time.
What are good alternatives to Berkey in California?
California-certified alternatives include ProOne gravity filters, Alexapure Pro, and various under-sink systems. For emergency preparedness, Sawyer filters and LifeStraw products are also certified for sale in California.
Are Berkey filters actually safe?
Berkey filters are independently tested and widely used around the world. Third-party labs test their Black Berkey elements to NSF/ANSI standards. The California issue is about certification paperwork. It is not about safety concerns.
Is it illegal to ship a Berkey to California?
Berkey and authorized dealers will not ship to California addresses. This is to comply with state law. However, individuals can bring their own Berkey into California. They can also have one shipped to an out-of-state address. Then they can transport it themselves. No law prevents this.
Will Berkey ever be available in California?
Berkey has not announced plans to pursue California certification. The company says their products exceed California standards. However, they object to the specific certification process. This may change in the future. But there is no timeline.
Does California ban any other water filters?
California's rules apply to all water treatment products sold in the state. Any filter making health claims must be certified. This affects many brands. However, Berkey is the most well-known case.
Bruce Zawalsky
Survival & DIY Expert | 28+ Years Experience
Bruce is a wilderness survival expert with 28+ years of experience and author of "Canadian Wilderness Survival." His extensive hands-on experience in building wilderness shelters, construction projects, and practical DIY work, combined with his military training, ensures all our construction guides and survival content are field-tested and practical.
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