How do I know if my filters are working correctly? - Red dye test

IMPORTANT INFORMATION IN ADVANCE
The red food dye test is only for checking that your Berkey water filter is fitted correctly, i.e. no water other than from the stems of the Black Berkey filter elements and the filters are not exhausted. Berkey Water Systems does not have independent test results showing by what percentage the red food colouring is filtered out. So they cannot officially claim that this contamination is reduced. So if the instructions below are not followed and a higher concentration of red dye is administered, for example, it is likely that it will not be reduced by 100% per cent. So, it is important to follow the instructions below properly and that mainly involves the amount of red dye and performing the test no more often than twice a year.

The Black Berkey filter elements are powerful enough to remove red food colouring from water. By performing a red dye test, you can be sure that your Berkey water filter system is working properly.

GUIDELINES

• We recommend carrying out this test on first use and every six months thereafter (after cleaning) to ensure that the Black Berkey filter elements are working properly.
• The red dye test is intended only for the Black Berkey filter elements and NOT for other filter elements (e.g. the Fluoride & Arsenic filters) that do not filter out the dye. This test is also not recommended for the Sport Berkey drinking bottle.
• Make sure the dye is RED. Red food colouring (unlike the other colours) contains no minerals, so the element recognises it as a contaminant. In addition, do not use a natural red dye (like beet juice, for example), this too is not recognised as a contaminant. The idea is to take a synthetic red dye.
• The red dye test should be performed after the Black Berkey filter elements have been primed.

CARRY OUT THE TEST

NOTE: check out our instructional videos for a video of performing the red dye test.

1. Start with an empty water filter system (upper and lower basin) and remove any Fluoride & Arsenic filters (if installed). The Fluoride & Arsenic filters must be removed before performing a red dye test to retain entitlement to the six-month guarantee on the Fluoride & Arsenic filters.
2. Place only the top tray (with the Black Berkey filter elements installed) on glasses of similar size (i.e. the stems of the filters stick out into the glass). This is useful to immediately see which filter passes and fails the test.
3. Fill the top container with water and add 1 teaspoon of red dye for every 4 litres of water.
4. Drain (filter) the water to the lower chamber.
5. Check the result in the glasses. If the red dye is completely removed, your Berkey water filter is working properly.
6. If the water in any of the glasses is red or has a pink hue, that particular filter may be faulty or exhausted. See below.

IF RED COLOUR IS OBSERVED IN THE WATER, CHECK THE FOLLOWING:

1. Are the wing nuts tight? Do not tighten the wing nuts with tools; they should be tightened by hand until you feel resistance, then it is enough. If the wing nuts are too tight, this can cause damage to the threads of the handle and/or grooves of the wing nut. This may affect the seal. Should this have occurred, please contact us.
2. Are you using natural red food colouring or colouring with another colour? Non-natural red food colouring is the only type recommended for this test.
3. Is the black ring of the Black Berkey filter elements also in the upper tray and is the wing nut tightened at the bottom? If the black ring is on the outside of the lower tray (i.e. directly at the wing nut), this is not a good seal. This therefore causes the test to fail. Place the black washer on the inside of the upper bin and perform the test again.
4. Do the blocking plugs seal the unused holes properly (if applicable)? Are the blocking plugs firmly installed so that the hole is actually sealed? For blocking plugs with bolt and nut, there should be a sealing ring on both sides (i.e. not on one side). If the plugs leak, this will cause the test to fail. Install the blocking plugs more firmly and perform the test again.
5. Are you retesting a filter element that has failed? Make sure you rinse and re-prime this filter element first before retesting. In addition, make sure that all water is out of the bottom container (or glass). If you use the bottom container or a glass to collect water, rinse it completely with clean water first. Now you are ready to repeat the test.
6. If you have done all the above and still fail a filter element for red dye test, please contact us. The Black Berkey filter elements have a two-year warranty (in periods). View the warranty conditions.

NOTE: check out our instructional videos for a video of performing the red dye test.