Are Black Berkey Filters Still Being Made? A Deep Dive Into the Current Situation

Berkey water filtration systems have long been regarded as one of the most trusted and effective options for home and emergency water purification. Their flagship product, the Black Berkey® Purification Elements, is known for removing over 200 contaminants and meeting purification standards far beyond those of most household filters.

However, in recent years, questions have arisen about the availability of these filters. If you’ve tried to purchase Black Berkey filters lately, you may have encountered “out of stock” notices or even conflicting information about whether they’re still being manufactured.

So what’s really going on? Here’s an in-depth look at the situation as of mid-2025.

Yes, Berkey Is Still Making Filters—But Can’t Sell Them Freely

First, let’s clear up the biggest misconception: Berkey (New Millennium Concepts Ltd.) is still manufacturing their Black Berkey filter elements in the U.S. The production of these filters has not stopped. What has changed is their legal ability to sell or distribute them widely in the U.S.

This stems from a regulatory conflict with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

EPA Stop-Sale Orders and Legal Disputes

In 2022–2023, the EPA began issuing Stop-Sale, Use, or Removal Orders (SSUROs) targeting water filters that contained antimicrobial silver and made virus removal claims. According to the EPA, this combination classifies the filters as pesticidal devices under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The agency argued that because the Black Berkey elements contain silver and claim to eliminate viruses, they fall under this regulation and must be registered.

In my opinion? This is ridiculous.

Berkey, for its part, disputes this classification. The company argues that their filters are physical purification devices, not chemical pesticides, and that the EPA is overreaching. In response, Berkey filed a lawsuit challenging the EPA’s decision. The case is ongoing, with some appeals (including one to the U.S. Supreme Court) denied, but the core legal battle continues in federal court.

Until that case is resolved, Berkey and its authorized dealers are legally restricted from selling the filters in most U.S. jurisdictions.

Current Market Availability

Due to these regulatory restrictions, authentic Black Berkey elements are currently very limited in availability. While you may still see listings on Berkey’s official website or through authorized resellers, they are often marked as “out of stock” or “temporarily unavailable.”

If you do find filters available, be cautious. Some listings on third-party marketplaces like Amazon or eBay may be old inventory, gray-market imports, or counterfeit products. Berkey has issued warnings in the past about unauthorized sellers.

Alternatives and Workarounds

In the wake of the EPA’s actions, several alternatives have emerged for Berkey system owners:

1. Boroux Filters: These filters were developed by a former Berkey dealer using a very similar carbon-based formula, minus the silver. As a result, Boroux filters are EPA-compliant and avoid the “pesticidal device” classification. They fit Berkey systems but do not claim to remove viruses.
2. Third-Party Compatible Filters: Brands like Waterdrop and Doulton manufacture filters that are compatible with Berkey units. Some of these alternatives are NSF/ANSI certified (typically to Standards 42 and 53), offering tested performance for common contaminants like chlorine, lead, and VOCs. However, few match the wide-spectrum purification of Black Berkey elements.
3. Wait and Monitor: If having authentic Black Berkey filters is important to you, the best option may be to monitor the progress of the lawsuit. If Berkey prevails, the filters could return to the market.

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→ Boroux Replacement Filters

→ Waterdrop Replacement Filters

→ Doulton Replacement Filters

What This Means for You

If you currently own a Berkey system and are running low on filters, your options are limited but not nonexistent. You can:

• Use certified third-party filters for basic filtration needs.
• Purchase Boroux filters as a near-equivalent substitute (minus virus removal).
• Conserve current filter use by filtering in batches and avoiding overuse.
• Track updates from Berkey and the EPA for news on the case resolution.

Final Thoughts

So, are Black Berkey filters still being made? Yes, they are—but their sale is legally restricted in the U.S. due to a regulatory dispute with the EPA over how the filters are classified and marketed. Until the ongoing lawsuit concludes, authentic Black Berkey filter elements will remain hard to find through official channels.

In the meantime, customers will need to rely on alternatives or be prepared to wait. For those who value long-term preparedness and high-level water purification, staying informed and cautious is key.