We have a British Berkfield water purifier and was wondering....if the water treatment plants release too much flouride into the water...will the purifier remove this also?

-- (nitramd@msn.com), December 20, 1999

Answers

Read about what various filters can do at:

http://www.pwgazette.com/pwp.htm

-- Interested Spectator (is@the_ring.side), December 20, 1999.

A Berkfield won't filter out fluoride.

http://www.911water.com/technical.htm

The E-Still will filter our fluoride and runs off a wood burning stove or other suitable heat source. One drawback is that it takes 30 to 40 minutes to filter 24 ounces.

http://www.puresurvival.com/

Another COSTLY alternative is a reverse-osmosis system but I believe that you need a power supply and pressure to run one.

-- Cant Say (Chicken@NoWay.Com), December 22, 1999.

The Berkie and the Katadyn types are mechanical filters and do not remove any disolved gases or solids, or other liquids in solution. IF you are worried, buy or make a Brita type filter. Just stirring in some aquarium charcoal will reduce or eliminate (improve the taste) of sterile water. Let it set for an hour or so for max effect. If you use aquarium charcoal rather than lab grade activated charcoal you might want to run the charcoal treated water through a coffee filter as there is usually some charcoal dust in aquarium charcoal. Swallowing charcoal dust won't hurt you in small quantities, but the water will look nicer!

-- Ken Seger (kenseger@earthlink.net), December 25, 1999.