Ceramics started to become widely used for the filtration of drinking water in the 19th century. At that time, cholera outbreaks were a common occurrence in London. Doulton & Co., with their factory on the banks of the River Thames, were in the perfect position to join the fight against water-borne disease. In general, the smaller the pore size of a filter and the more complicated the path the water takes through the filter medium, the more effective it is at removing particles from water. A ceramic has a small and complex pore structure, making it an ideal filter medium. Fairey Industrial Ceramics Limited (FICL) has taken ceramic technology to the next level. We are able to accurately control the pore structure of our Doulton® and British Berkefeld® ceramic drinking water filters, ensuring excellent product consistency. Customers can, as a result of our exacting standards, expect the same high quality from our filters every time they are used. Doulton® and British Berkefeld® drinking water filters have been so successful globally because they have a variety of advantages over other products in the market:
 | Highly effective barrier to particles and pathogens: Doulton® and British Berkefeld® drinking water filters have a pore structure which has an Absolute filtration rating (defined as >99.99%) of 0.9 microns (less than 1000 th of a millimetre). Therefore, the ceramic is capable of removing sub micron particles and pathogenic bacteria from drinking water.
A recent study by a leading UK University showed that use of British Berkefeld® drinking water filters in a community in Zimbabwe slashed cases of potentially fatal diarrhoea (a common problem in Africa caused by pathogenic bacteria and cysts in the water supply) to virtually zero. Our water filters have been proven to work in the most demanding conditions. This is why they are used by the major aid organisations. |
| Long life: As confirmed by the user instructions supplied with the product, Doulton® and British Berkefeld® ceramic drinking water filters may be cleaned in order to prolong the life of the product. In this way, the filter can be re-used rather than replaced, giving it a much longer life-span than many other products on the market. On average, a Doulton® or British Berkefeld® filter candle will remain effective for up to 6 months (depending on usage and water quality) before it will need to be replaced. |
| Self-sterilising: FICL's ceramics contain trace elements of silver. Silver inhibits microbiological growth, meaning that there is no need to sterilise Doulton® or British Berkefeld® filter candles, even when they are used over an extended period. |
| Natural: FICL’s ceramics are made from 100% natural elements. They do not add anything to the water they filter. This contributes to FICL’s ability to pass the stringent NSF® testing procedures. Many other filter products add traces of chemicals to the water they filter. |
| Long-term value: The extended life-span and effectiveness of Doulton® and British Berkefeld® drinking water filters make them a low-cost investment in the long term. |
| Combinations with other filter media possible: Other filter media can be put inside Doulton® and British Berkefeld® ceramic drinking water candles to make them even more versatile. For example, activated carbon can be incorporated to remove chlorine, or an ion exchange resin to remove heavy metals such as lead. |
| Minerals maintained: Using a Doulton® or British Berkefeld® ceramic drinking water filter does not remove those minerals from the water, which are beneficial to health. |
| No power required: Doulton® and British Berkefeld® ceramic drinking water filters are some of the most versatile water treatment devices available today. They do not require electricity to function, which means that they are not vulnerable to interruption of power supplies, and can be used where there are no power supplies. They can be used literally anywhere in the world from an office block to a refugee camp. | | | Please Note: Certain restrictions apply to the sale and marketing of Doulton® and British Berkefeld® water filters in the states of Iowa, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin. In these states, under the Doulton® brand name, only the HIP Ultracarb, HIP Ultracarb Inline, and Slimline Ultracarb elements are available for sale. See the Performance page for specific product performance claims in these states. Certain restrictions apply to California alone. For details of products available for sale in California, please click here. |
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