Removing Bacteria, Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Other Cysts from Drinking Water

Bacteria is not usually found in chlorinated water systems, but cryptosporidium, giardia and other cysts are resistive to chlorine, and can be found in chlorinated water and non chlorinated water.

Cysts

Cysts (Giardia and Cryptosporidium) are common microscopic parasites that can be found in water worldwide. When injested, they can cause severe problems in the stomach and digestive tract, resultiing in severe diarrhoea and sometimes death. Found in human and animal faeces, they can easily make their way into our water supply through animal contamination or from sewage entering our lakes and rivers. Once they enter our water, just a low dose (very few cysts) can make us ill.

Bacteria

Bacteria in various forms can enter our drinking water supply or grow in water storage containers. A common method to protect our drinking water from bacteria growth is to add chlroine to the water supply, dosage is usually 1 ppm. This will protect us from a number of common pathogenic bacterias including: E-coli, Salmonella, Legionella, Cholera, Salmonella Typhi (Typhoid), Shigella and Klebsiella. They aren’t usually often found in waters systems treated with chlorine, but are often found in unchlorinated private water supplies, wells and stored water. Bacteria present in stored water, either water tanks or bottles, can quickly grow to disease causing levels resulting in illness and sometimes death.

Cyst and Bacterial Removal Methods

Two common methods used to remove bacteria and cysts from drinkng water are ultra violet radiation using a short wave ultra violet light and absolute filtration using a ceramic filter that will filter below 1 micron.

Ultraviolet Radiation

Ultraviolet radiation will kill most forms of bacteria, cysts and virusus using a short wave ultraviolet light. The ultraviolet purifiers come in various power levels and sizes, from 1 gallon per minute flow rate up to 25 gallons per minute Generally, the lamps need to be changed yearly.

Mechanical Micro Filtration

The ceramic filter cartridge, 0.9 microns or less absolute, will also remove bacteria and cysts through mechanical filtration. One excellent filter is the Doulton brand cartridge made by Fairey Industrial Ceramics Limited, in the United Kingdom. These cartridges are cleanable and can have a 1 to 5 year life depending on the size of the cartridge and the number of cleanings required.

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