BOROUX’s Position on the Phoenix Filters New Millennium Edition
While we respect the growing interest in new filtration solutions, including the release of the Phoenix Filters New Millennium Edition, we believe consumers deserve more than marketing claims. You deserve proof.
Comparing BOROUX® vs Phoenix
There are a few key points that separate BOROUX Foundation Filters from the new Phoenix Gravity New Millennium Edition Filter Elements.
- Certified, we have proof of our certifications
- Verifiable quality, manufactured in the USA vs India
- Confidence, we offer a 101-day trial period
Transparency
Transparency is our number-one core value. In our decades of experience we’ve seen how brands dupe and dishonor their customers. This is unacceptable. BOROUX leads the way in cleaning up water and the filtration industry.
Most brands are started because the founder sees a problem, finds a solution, and shares it with the world. BOROUX is no exception. The problem we observed was the lack of honesty and transparency in the water filter industry. BOROUX stands for integral methods of operation.
After breaking away from Berkey® (AKA New Millennium Concepts Limited (NMCL)), as a result of the EPA-compliance issues, the BOROUX team discovered many shortcomings of the entire water filter industry. With a new freedom, BOROUX developed improved products and processes to best serve customers.
Setting aside egos, we believe in providing consumers with access to clean water, more than selling products. Providing educational resources, and exposing the intricacies of the water filtration industry is for the greater good of the consumer. There are many different methods of obtaining high quality water each with their specific advantages and faults. Consumers should know more about their unique water and have the knowledge to discern which product is best suited for their situation. Revealing verifiable data and third-party certifications, BOROUX provides clarity.
Third-party Certifications
When a product claims certification, it’s important to verify that information directly through trusted, public databases. Never take a claim at face value. Double check the certification by looking up the listing through the organization that awards the certification. For example, if a product states that it is NSF certified, you should be able to look up that product name on the NSF website (https://www.nsf.org/certified-products-systems). Be sure to cross reference the product’s SKU to ensure that the exact product you’re shopping for has the exact certification it claims to have.
The main certifying bodies in the water filtration industry are NSF, International Association of Plumbing and Mechanic Organization (IAPMO), and the Water Quality Association (WQA). Each provides a high level of assurance that the certified products meet strict standards. In order to become certified, brands must submit extensive test reports and pay high fees. Brands unwilling to pay the fees signal that they are unwilling to invest in their customer’s peace of mind.
BOROUX proudly shares links to independent, third-party listings:
WQA Certifications:
IAPMO Certifications:
Just because a product or says it is certified, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is. We invite customers to dig deeper, ask hard questions, and explore the difference between claims of being certified and actually being certified.
Verifiable Data
BOROUX test reports are all readily available and published. Anyone has access to the test results and we happily encourage consumers to review the data thoroughly. We don’t rush products to market without undergoing rigorous independent, third-party testing.
An example of our commitment to transparency is our filter lifespan statement. We acknowledge filter lifespan will vary depending on source water quality and usage. We provide data on how many gallons the filters effectively filter specific contaminants. If someone has heavily contaminated water, the replacement interval should be more frequent. Providing a chart with the number of gallons and contaminants allows customers to cross reference their filter lifespan with their unique water quality.
Did you know not all contaminants are removed at the same number of gallons? If a claim says “replace every 2,750 gallons,” ask which contaminant/s are removed for that many gallons. It most likely isn’t all contaminants listed. A one-size-fits-all statement doesn’t acknowledge the differing filtration capabilities.
Once the partnership with Berkey (NMCL) ended, as a result of EPA non-compliance issues, the BOROUX team discovered that the way many water filter companies portray their test results is lacking. For example, some contaminant testing standards require only two cups to be tested. From that data, filter companies then extrapolate their claims saying their filters last for thousands of gallons. We asked, how can that be confirmed? If only two cups are tested, how can thousands of gallons be claimed?
That kind of extrapolated data didn’t and doesn’t sit well with us. BOROUX does things differently, with transparency at the heart of all that we do.
BOROUX Foundation Filters were tested by International Association of Plumbers and Mechanical Officials, Research and Testing (IAPMO R&T) Lab NJ, an ISO/IEC 17025 recognized laboratory. The International Standard Organization (ISO) standard 17025:2017 specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of laboratories, adhering to the specifications defined in the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, 42, 53, and 401.
No other water filter product that we know of, undergoes this strenuous of testing. Thousands of gallons of water flow through these filters in testing to determine exactly how many gallons the filters effectively filter each contaminant. A test is run by adding a certain amount of a contaminant to a specific volume of water, then letting that mixture flow through the filter, followed by testing the filtered water to measure the remaining amount of that contaminant. Testing continues until the amount of a contaminant after passing through the filter matches or exceeds the allowable limit. Where the report states 4,500 gallons, it means 4,500 gallons have actually passed through the filter—no projections or estimations, just actual, factual, verified data.
BOROUX Foundation Filters and Black Berkey Filters use the exact same formulation, meaning they are made using the exact same materials, the exact same methods, and in the exact same facility. When BOROUX tested the Foundation Filters, the test results varied from the Black Berkey® Filters performance specifications that Berkey provided.
Verifiable Quality
Made in the USA with domestic and globally sourced components BOROUX Foundation and Proactive Filters are proudly manufactured in the United States with domestic and globally sourced components. BOROUX partners with the most reputable filter factory in the United States to bring to market an effective activated-carbon filter. The filters only use certified materials and are manufactured under strict quality control standards. The factory is routinely inspected. Quality control checks by compliance experts are a part of every product shipment.
Earning Trust
Through our experience, customer interactions, and pursuit of excellence, we earnestly provide multiple ways to validate the efficacy of our products. We are so confident in our products that we offer the longest trial period in the industry. Customers get a lengthy 101 days to test out the filters for themselves. If not absolutely, positively, 100% satisfied, get a refund. Our generous warranty allows for replacements to be sent out up to 365 days after their initial purchase. Customer satisfaction has been a stalwart value since 1998 at BOROUX.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision is yours. You must choose the product and brand that best suits your needs and wants. BOROUX provides proof, maintains transparency, and offers veritability for the most comprehensive compilation of data for you to make an informed decision. If your priorities align with BOROUX, we would be honored to be your choice for clean water.
