PSA: Water Filter Storage Concerns

I feel like I prefer to learn things the hard way. As much as I know about preparedness, there’s always some “little” thing that gets me. I discussed one example months ago where I used “low splash” bleach for my water barrels, something I’d never done before, only to later discover that they often contain unlabeled additives that I shouldn’t consume. As a result, I had to dump all the water, rinse the barrels, and start over.

And here I am at it again. You see, last November I talked about how we instantly lost water pressure one day; it wasn’t a big deal, but it did get me to thinking about this becoming a larger problem in the future. So, I dusted off my black Berkey filter system and began using it again.

All was going well until I started to notice an odor a few days after first use when I either poured water into my cup or checked the water level inside the bottom collection container. I didn’t think much of it at the time, and because my wife said she didn’t smell anything, I ignored it.

Eventually, I decided to ask my AI overlords. ChatGPT responded thusly:

An odd smell from a stainless steel Berkey is fairly common and usually fixable. Here are the most likely causes and what to do, in order of likelihood…

Basically, it said I should re-prime the filters, that the carbon filters can dry out and develop harmless odor-causing bacteria, or that the water was just “standing” too long. There might have been one or two other explanations that didn’t seem like the problem.

So, I cleaned the stainless steel containers out, scrubbed the outside of the filters with a sponge, and tried again. I wanted to think everything was fine, but it wasn’t.

The odor persisted.

It wasn’t horrible and I never felt sick drinking the water, but it remained on my mind.

I eventually asked ChatGPT again. After answering a few questions it asked that I didn’t bother to answer at the time, including stating that my filters were four years old, that I don’t believe I had used them previously but couldn’t remember, and that the filters were stored in my detached garage for years.

It responded:

These filters are very likely compromised and should not be trusted for drinking water.

Let me explain why, then give you your safest options.

Oh, great! Glad I’ve been drinking that for the past month and a half.

It explains:

Why this is happening

Berkey Black filters are carbon + proprietary binders. When they are stored for years:

• Heat cycles (garage storage) degrade the binders
• Humidity can introduce microbial growth inside the carbon matrix
• Even if “unused,” they are not sterile
• Once water flows through, trapped organics can produce:
  • musty / earthy smells
  • sulfur-like or swampy odors
  • “wet charcoal” smell that does not flush out

Because the smell is in the filtered water, that rules out stainless steel residue and points directly at the filter media.

ChatGPT said the filters need replaced. But since I don’t entirely trust what AI tells me anymore, I reached out to Berkey via phone.

The lady was nice, but essentially confirmed what ChatGPT was saying. She said that the filters should NOT have been stored in an non-air-conditioned environment because the carbon filters could break down just like ChatGPT said.

And because I couldn’t remember whether I had attempted to use them or not, it’s entirely possible that there is bacteria or something growing inside them that cannot be cleaned out.

She also said that (and I knew this but didn’t care enough to do something different) that the carbon inside the filters can pick up odors, like gasoline and other chemicals, which is why they say not to store them in a garage or laundry room.

Anyway, I never did get a straight answer as to whether the odor was from a bacteria that was a problem to consume.

Ultimately, the lady indicated that it’s best to replace the filters. But like I stated elsewhere, Berkey filters are horribly expensive. I’ve looked for alternatives, but can’t find anything reasonably priced that’s as good as black Berkey filters.

You know the worst part?

I keep my backup filters in the detached garage along with my mother-in-law’s smaller Berkey unit that also contain her filters.

So, now I’m wondering if ANY of the water filter elements I have are any good. And at $280 for a pair of them, I can’t afford to replace them all.

I don’t blame ChatGPT in this case. It gave me the right answers and even asked appropriate questions that I simply ignored at the time. My bad.

Let’s now ensure it’s also not YOUR bad.