Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I purchased this item with a focus on fluoride removal. I've tried other products in the past which have claimed to reduce a significant amount of fluoride but (upon testing) did not lived up to their claims. The Berkey System caught my attention after reading positive reviews, watching related videos on youtube and doing a bit of research. In the end I can say that I am 100% satisfied with this system. I initially took my time setting up the system as to assure it was done properly. I read stories about people ruining their filters by improperly installing them (ie., screwing the filter on too tight). Also, prior to using the filters they must be "primed" by flushing them with water. The filters must be flushed in the correct direction and doing so takes a a little bit of skill. I flushed the PF-2 filters for 20 seconds according to the Berkey Manual Instructions, however the factory dust that discolors the water with a white foggyness did not flush out in just 20 seconds. In fact, it took me about 90 seconds to completely flush them out. In anycase, after they were primed, I screwed everything to the canister very carefully according to the instructions. I then filled the canister up with 2 1/2 gallons of water and then discarded the first filtered batch. I filled up the canister again for a second batch and when that completed I tasted the water.... Wow! the water tasted great. I filled up a glass of Berkey Filtered water and another glass of regular tap water and compared side by side. I could not notice any difference in the look of the water. However, the difference in smell was significant. The Berkey filtered water smelled like water should; clear, crisp and odor free. The tap water (i kid you not) in comparison smelled a bit like sewage. blahhhh! As impressive as this was, my concern that is was actually removing fluoride was still lingering in my head. I read some reviews on amazon of people buying fluoride test kits and getting undesired results. So I decided to get the water tested myself. Before I took water samples, I ran about 20 gallons of water through the Berkey just to make sure it was completely flushed out and operating correctly. I then took the following water samples for testing. 4 oz Tap Water 4 oz Gerber Baby Water (store bough non fluoridated) 2 separate 4 oz samples of Berkey Filtered Water I sent my water samples to my local county water authority and they tested the water for me. The water authority is responsible for mixing fluoride in the drinking water for public consumption. They have a laboratory of equipment dedicated to testing fluoride levels before the water is released to the public. Here are the results as given to me: "anything under .2 is less than our meter is calibrated for. remember lake erie water has a natural residule of aprox 0.18 tap - 0.625 gerber - 0.01 berky 1 - 0.02 berky 2 - 0.02" Wow, Wow, Wow! The Berkey exceeded my expectations; coming in pretty much on par with store bought Gerber Baby Water. I can now be confident that I am giving my family pure drinking water free of hazardous substances.