I would rather drink chlorinated water on a regular basis than colloidal silver any day. Although it has it's benefits as an antiseptic, the silver will build up in your body and modern science has found absolutely no health benefits to internal use. There are metals that the body needs for proper function, but silver is NOT one of them. There are millions of people that drink chlorinated water every day and never contract cancer.
Other than use as an antiseptic, colloidal silver is nothing more than snake oil by another name.

I can find NOTHING on the website that states the Santevia system removes any bacteriological contamination. In fact it says that if you have a "boil water advisory" you have to boil your water first. Nowhere is there any information or certification as to what it will do.. just glossy advertising sales hype. A screen and fish tank will not remove ANY contamination. My gut and my brain say dangerous. I wouldn't trust my or my family's health to a "Brita" either... I quote from the website... "The system is designed to take potable biologically safe water and to further purify and enhance the taste and pH. The system is being very well received by health food (wellness) retailers, alternative medicine practitioners (hundreds have been purchased by Naturopathic doctors across North America) and health conscious consumers." The operative words being "potable biologically safe water"...

JAB

What of water ionizers? Thoughts.

JustABear,
that was my understanding of santevia systems also,
strictly for potable water

on the old wagon trains/ and later trains,
they would place a silver dollar in potable water to keep it fresh

still useful today for long term water storage (in opaque tanks),
and rain water catchment barrels for garden use,
also a cheap aquarium air pump and stone in your rain barrel/tank is indespensible

i'm drifting, drifting.......
sorry

JAB Why an air pump & stone in rain barrel? For oxygenation, to prevent algae? Does the stone help oxygenation or is there another reason for it? Does it matter if you're only using it to water the garden?

Screed, I didn't look at your filter because I've already purchased a water purifyer, and I'm not too worried about drinking water with bleach (incidentally, as far as I understand, if you let the water sit without lid on a short time, the bleach will evaporate quickly anyways) But I did want to say that the ceramic filter you mention sounds like the ceramic filter of a berkey, so maybe your system is somewhat comparable... although Berkeys don't need to start with potable water... I haven't researched the silver thing, so have no informed opinion on that.

Hey, have you guys realized that Berkey's are not to be used with swimming pool water?!!!

Hey, have you guys realized that Berkey's are not to be used with swimming pool water?!!!

Can do it with the Black Berkeys.

We had the Santevia for several years. It's a good filter for tap water or potable water but it does NOT filter contaminants. The minerals stones at the bottom of the system re-mineralize the water (which was why i bought it)and it may make the water taste better but it is definitely NOT a filter to be used for a SHTF situation with questionable water sources even if they are treated with colloidal silver - which I believe has some value but should not be counted on to treat questionable water either.

Buy the Berkey or make your own from the filters that you can purchase separately. Better safe than sorry.

When we moved to the country to well water I gave my Santevia away and bought a Berkey - water is not something to mess with! By the time you've spent the money on the Santevia and the replacement filters etc. you could have a Berkey with no filters to replace for a very long time. Berkeys are certified and well proven with lots of research and data to back it up.

I need a "I love my Berkey" bumper sticker 🙂

Regarding "Berkey" water filtration systems. I have one. I have recently found quite a number of complaints about the quality of the black Berkey filters. A lot of people have had problems with the black filter part seperating from the plastic base and allowing unfiltered water into the bottom tank. That means the lower tank now is contaminated and NOT purified. Further research has shown that the Berkey company is US based and NOT associated with British Berkefeld. Same with the filter elements. The black elements are distributed from the US but I could find NO DATA as to where they are actually made. (China?) The tried and true filters of the Berkefeld system are made by Doulton in England. This is the same company that pioneered ceramic water filtration 100 years ago. On the strength of my research and inability to find concrete data related to the black "Berkey" filters I have disposed of mine and replaced them with the Doulton filters. If you use the black berkey filters be certain you do the RED food coloring test AT LEAST monthly to ensure they are working correctly. To be forwarned is to be forearmed. WHEN YOU TRULY NEED IT IS NOT THE TIME TO FIND YOU HAVE FAULTY EQUIPMENT.
Just my 2 cents

JAB

JAB,

I have delayed getting a Berkey because of the negative filter reviews. Can you be more specific about which Doulton filters you bought and where to get them?

Hi oddDuck. Here is a link to the filter I purchased and the company I got them from. Price is reasonable and service is excellent.
http://www.gtawater.com/index.asp?pgid1=157&pgid2=&pid=2046&lg=0
They also carry the complete gravity systems at VERY reasonable prices.
http://www.gtawater.com/index.asp
Hope that helps.

JAB

All great info and thanks so much for sharing. I guess that I forgot to add that I WOULD be boiling the water first before puting through the Santevia. I will look into a better more thourough system when possible. I figure that between boiling, the ceramic and 5 stage filter I'd be pretty well off for a basic system. I will continue my research for a propper system in the field.

Martha,
the air stone is strictly for oxygenation
the opaque tank keeps the algae at bay

there is a dynamic 'community' of activity in the soil around a plant known as the 'rhizosphere'
this community is made up of good & bad organisms (microflora)
the roots secrete enzymes, simple sugars (exodates) to attract the good guys,
and break down nutrients for the plants uptake
oxygen helps this beneficial inter-relationship thrive
(food grade hydrogen peroxide will achieve this also)

there is also a community/relationship that occurs above ground,
the area around the leaves and stems is called the 'phyllosphere'
part of the reason oxygenated foliar sprays are so beneficial is keeping this community lively/healthy