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 assume there's something wrong with Berkey filters or that California has specifically targeted the brand. 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 requires that any "point-of-use" or "point-of-entry" water treatment device sold in the state be certified by the California State Water Resources Control Board. This applies to any product that claims to treat, filter, or improve water quality.
California Certification Requirements
California has some of the strictest water filter regulations in the country. To legally sell a water treatment device in California, manufacturers must meet these 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 because unscrupulous companies have marketed ineffective or even harmful "water filters" that provided false confidence. California's regulations ensure products actually do what they claim.
Berkey's Response
Berkey has publicly addressed the California situation. Their position can be summarized as follows:
Berkey states their independent lab testing exceeds California's contaminant removal standards.
Their testing data is not in California's specific required format, which would require duplicate testing.
The certification process is expensive and time-consuming; Berkey has determined it's not worth the investment.
Berkey continues to sell in 49 other states and internationally without issues.
"Our test results demonstrate that Black Berkey® Purification Elements far exceed the capabilities of any other gravity filter element available today... However, the State of California requires specific testing formats that would require us 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. Bring it back to California yourself. This is completely legal.
Ship to Out-of-State Address
Have the system shipped to a friend, family member, or PO box in another state. Pick it up or have them send it to you.
Buy Used
The restriction is on commercial sales. Private party sales between individuals 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, using, and possessing a Berkey water filter in California is 100% legal. The restriction only applies to commercial sales within the state. You cannot be penalized for having one.
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 in terms of design, capacity, and filtration capability. It's California-certified, uses similar gravity filtration technology, and has comparable contaminant removal rates.
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
For California residents who want hassle-free purchasing and support, certified alternatives like ProOne are excellent choices that provide comparable water quality. If you specifically want a Berkey, it's obtainable 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 certification from the California State Water Resources Control Board, which is required 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, not on possession or use. Many California residents purchase Berkeys while traveling or have them shipped to addresses in other states.
Why won't Berkey get California certified?
Berkey has stated that the California certification process is expensive and time-consuming, and that their testing data exceeds what California requires but 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 globally. Their Black Berkey elements are tested to NSF/ANSI standards by third-party labs. The California issue is about certification paperwork, not safety concerns.
Is it illegal to ship a Berkey to California?
Berkey and authorized dealers will not ship to California addresses to comply with state law. However, there is no law preventing an individual from bringing their own Berkey into California or having one shipped to an out-of-state address and transporting it themselves.
Will Berkey ever be available in California?
Berkey has not announced plans to pursue California certification. The company maintains that their products exceed California standards but 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 regulations apply to all water treatment products sold in the state. Any filter making health claims must be certified. This affects numerous brands, though 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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