When I had an in line filter, I made the mistake of making it a whole house filter to try to get the sediment out of the well water. I had a UV light system that was used after it to sterilize the water -- and the less sediment, the more effective the UV sterilizer.

The filters slowed the water pressure significantly and required frequent changing due to the level of sediment in my well water.

Eventually I simply did without it, too much maintenance, too little water pressure. Guess there weren't any amoebas in the well, I'm still alive. Deo gratias.

Some folks would've been fine with the frequent changes I suppose, perhaps if they had a larger system, or more powerful pump.

The sedimentary water wasn't so bad. I would've done better just having the filters installed under the kitchen sink for drinking water alone, probably would've been less trouble, though how much less I don't know. A little less safe too of course though.

By a Gott do you mean one of those bright orange things?  :rolleyes:

I was going to suggest building a wooden cabinet for it or putting it in a basket but there's only so much you can do...  

Honestly I'd say just stick with the Berkey, but get a new metal one so it looks decent.

Re: hand pump well water for emergencies -- good idea!

There's even the dirt cheap method of using a bucket, some interesting articles out there on the topic.