IMPORTANT PRELIMINARY INFORMATION
The red food coloring test is intended solely to verify that your Berkey water filter is assembled correctly—ensuring that no water is coming from anywhere other than the stems of the Black Berkey filter elements and that the filters are not exhausted. Berkey Water Systems does not have independent test results showing the percentage by which the red food dye is filtered out. Therefore, they cannot officially claim that this contaminant is reduced. Consequently, if the instructions below are not followed—for example, if a higher concentration of red food dye is used—it is likely that the dye will not be reduced by 100%. It is therefore important to follow the instructions below carefully, paying particular attention to the amount of red food coloring used and ensuring that the test is not performed more than twice a year.
The Black Berkey filter cartridges are powerful enough to remove red food coloring from water. By conducting a red food coloring test, you can be sure that your Berkey water filter system is working properly.
GUIDELINES
- We recommend performing this test the first time you use the system and then every six months (after cleaning) to ensure that the Black Berkey filter elements are working properly.
- The red dye test is intended only for Black Berkey filter cartridges and NOT for other filter cartridges (such as the Fluoride & Arsenic filters) that do not filter out the dye. This test is also not recommended for the Sport Berkey water bottle.
- Make sure the food coloring is RED. Red food coloring (unlike the other colors) does not contain any minerals, so the system recognizes it as a contaminant. Also, do not use natural red food coloring (such as beet juice), as this is not recognized as a contaminant either. The goal is to use a synthetic red food coloring, so be sure to use theoriginal red food coloring.
- The red dye test must be performed after the Black Berkey filter elements have been primed.
CONDUCTING THE TEST
NOTE: Check out ourinstructional videos for a clip showing how to perform the red dye test.
1. Start with an empty water filtration system (upper and lower chambers) and remove any fluoride filters (if installed).
2. Place only the upper chamber (with the Black Berkey filter elements installed) on glasses of similar size (so that the filter stems protrude from the glass). This makes it easy to immediately see which filter passes and which fails the test.
3. In a separate pitcher, add 3 drops (= 0.15 ml) of food coloring per liter of water and mix (a bottle of original red food coloring is enough to perform a full test multiple times). Pour the red water into the upper reservoir until the filters are completely submerged. Note: Never pour red food coloring directly from the bottle onto the filters or into the upper reservoir. Always mix the food coloring with water in a separate pitcher first.
4. Allow the water to filter from the upper reservoir into the glasses below. When the glasses are three-quarters full, pour the remaining water out of the top reservoir. Note: The glasses may fill at different rates.
5. Check the water in each glass. It should be clear, without a pink or red tint. If the water in any of the glasses is red or has a pink tint, that specific filter may be defective or spent. See below.
IF YOU NOTICE A RED COLOR IN THE WATER, CHECK THE FOLLOWING:
1. Are the wing nuts tightened properly? Do not tighten the wing nuts with a tool; they should be tightened by hand until you feel resistance—that is sufficient. If the wing nuts are too tight, this can damage the threads on the stem and/or the grooves on the wing nut. This can affect the seal. If this has occurred, please contact us.
2. Are you using natural red food coloring or a different color of food coloring? Non-natural red food coloring is the only type recommended for this test.
3. Is the black ring from the Black Berkey filter elements also inside the top housing, and is the wing nut tightened at the bottom? If the black ring is on the outside of the bottom housing (i.e., right next to the wing nut), this is not a proper seal. As a result, the test will fail. Place the black ring on the inside of the upper chamber and repeat the test.
4. Do the plug caps properly seal the unused holes (if applicable)? Are the plug caps securely installed so that the holes are truly sealed? For plug caps with a bolt and nut, there must be a sealing ring on both sides (not just on one side). If the plugs are leaking, this will cause the test to fail. Tighten the plugs more securely and repeat the test.
5. Are you retesting a filter element that failed? If so, make sure to rinse this filter element and prime it again before retesting. Also, ensure that all the water has been drained from the lower container (or glass). If you’re using the lower container or a glass to collect water, first rinse it thoroughly with clean water. Now you’re ready to repeat the test.
6. If you’ve done all of the above and a filter element still fails the red dye test, please contact us. Black Berkey filter elements come with a two-year warranty (in periods). Review the warranty terms.
NOTE: Check out our instructional videos for a clip showing how to perform the red dye test.