Chemical contaminants like pesticides and fungicides and biological contaminants like bacteria can affect drinking water quality.
When this happens, consider a whole-house UV or ultraviolet water filter. This treatment eliminates harmful bacteria and microbiological contaminants that can cause serious illness and disease.
I’m a water filter technician, and some water filters can remove E. coli. UV filters eliminate pathogens like E. coli. UV radiation kills microbes but not non-living particles or chemicals. To remove E. coli, filters with a chemical disinfectant matrix must meet specific pore size requirements to handle the contaminant’s amount, particle size, and charge.
Water filters don’t always remove E. coli. E. coli is too small for pitcher filters like Brita and Zero Water or activated carbon filters. Activated carbon filters can even breed bacteria.
Wash your hands before, and after handling any water you suspect is contaminated. Even touching it can increase your risk of an E. coli infection. Filtered bleach can remove E. coli from well water, but it must be used properly.
As a water filter technician, I know how important it is to use the right filter to remove contaminants like E. coli from drinking water. A customer with stomach issues for months had E. coli-contaminated well water. After installing an E. coli-specific chemical disinfectant matrix filter, the customer’s health improved greatly. A good filter and regular maintenance will keep E. coli out of your water.
What is E. coli?
You can get sick from Escherichia coli. Most E. coli is harmless and helps break down food in your digestive system, but some can cause serious illness.
Bacteria in your digestive tract release Shiga toxin, which damages the small intestine lining and causes an infection. Diarrhea, cramps, and fever are symptoms of this illness.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a more serious complication, usually affects infants and children under five. HUS without treatment can cause kidney failure.
E. coli can enter your body through contaminated food, water, or hands.
How do water filters remove E. coli?
Water filters filter particles by straining, blocking, or trapping them. Most filters use both physical and chemical filtration.
Physical filters let larger contaminants pass through but trap smaller particles like bacteria. A filter’s pore size determines how much material it traps.
Some filters have an ion exchange system. A special type of activated carbon exchanges minerals in water for other ions to accomplish this.
Bacteria can be eliminated by UV purification in water filters. These systems kill microbes in the water with UV lights.
E. coli is so small that traditional filtration methods may not remove them. Some filters have a reverse osmosis system with thousands of micropores to filter out the smallest contaminants.
What are the best water filters for removing E. coli?
Fecal coliform bacteria like Escherichia coli (E coli) are often found in water supplies. This bacteria can cause serious illness or death if ingested.
There are several ways to eliminate coliform bacteria from drinking water. An alternative is a reverse osmosis filter.
Reverse osmosis water filters effectively remove all contaminants, including coliform bacteria. The process forces water through a membrane with thousands of microscopic pores that let only the smallest particles pass through.
UV filters are another effective way to eliminate coliform bacteria. These devices use UV lamps to kill germs.
This is a cost-effective way to disinfect water. It’s also safe and easy. This filtration system may cause mild sickness or low iodine levels in your drinking water.
How do I know if my water filter removes E. coli?
A water filter does not eliminate all harmful bacteria and viruses. Most illnesses are caused by these microorganisms, which can be fatal if ingested.
Investing in a water filter that removes harmful organisms is smart if your family is at risk of these diseases. Due to weakened immune systems, children and pregnant women are more susceptible to microorganism-related illnesses.
Water from a well or spring should be tested for bacteria. An extensive report will list contaminants, including total coliform bacteria levels.
