Removal of Heavy Metals from our Drinking Water

[Sprocket]

I am also thinking about getting something like this.  Although I know that we're talking about heavy-metal removal here, after searching throughout Berkleywater's site, there is not a single mention of fluoridation, even in the FAQ part dealing with reverse-osmosis - that is after-all the main purpose of RO - so, stating their products produce better water that RO-systems while completely avoiding the fluoridation issue is tantamount to a lie by omission of facts!  They appear far more interested in "closing the deal" than supplying potential customers with impartial advice imo.

[FatBird]

To remove Fluoride the Berkey Units need Fluoride Filters installed.

Fluoride Removal is VERY DIFFICULT for water filters.


http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=berkey+fluoride&_sacat=See-All-Categories

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[blueplanet]

I am also thinking about getting something like this.  Although I know that we're talking about heavy-metal removal here, after searching throughout Berkleywater's site, there is not a single mention of fluoridation, even in the FAQ part dealing with reverse-osmosis - that is after-all the main purpose of RO - so, stating their products produce better water that RO-systems while completely avoiding the fluoridation issue is tantamount to a lie by omission of facts!  They appear far more interested in "closing the deal" than supplying potential customers with impartial advice imo.

I think you are right. RO is the best option for removal of harmful halogens:

http://www.jisppd.com/article.asp?issn=0970-4388;year=2008;volume=26;issue=1;spage=6;epage=11;aulast=Prabhakar

I think activated carbon with iodine adsorption index greater 1500 is also a good option.

Just a separate note. If you are concerned about fluoride in the drinking water, then you may consider taking potassium iodide.  Iodide can displace fluoride in the body.

[jadaro2600]

They sell small hand pump ceramic-based water filters for camping. Low volume, but they probably do a decent job and get rid of microorganisms.

Ceramics are a good idea.

There is this thing called boiling water and capturing the water vapor and turning it back in to pure water.  I know it sounds tough but it can be done.

A source of heat may also be an issue in the conditions mentioned in the original post, And the berkley filters may not be around.

You could use  a long pipe filled with fine sand, but you would have to treat the sand.

And then active carbon for the metals, but that  would have to be treated too..

All treatments conditionally require a source of heat.  IF you have a source of heat, then you may as well try an easier approach if you need water for the short term.

[amigo]

Incidentally, Fe3O4 (Magnetite, Black Iron) is used to remove As (Arsenic) from water. So, next time you are making your custom iron core, save some powder for emergency water treatment.

Though, I think you will need to compress it somehow into a solid, as diluting powder and drinking it might not be a good idea.