Looking for the best water filter for bacteria filtration? Despite big improvements in tap water quality worldwide, bad bacteria is still a problem for public tap water. In addition to this 100s of millions of households rely on well water and rain water or have water tanks with potential bacteria contamination. How do you make sure your tap water is safe from bacteria in a sustainable and affordable way?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article we will provide an overview of what kind of bacteria you might find in tap water, the bacteria in tap water to worry about, methods that can kill or remove the bacteria and the best water purifiers for removing bacteria. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want a short answer to the question then just jump to the summary at the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What kind of bacteria are found in tap water?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First of all not all bacteria are bad. In any human body there are around 30 trillion human cells, but our microbiome is an estimated 100 trillion microbial cells including bacteria, viruses and fungi that live on and in us. Not only do we live in harmony with these beneficial bacteria, but they are actually essential to our survival. Good bacteria help our bodies digest food and absorb nutrients<\/a>, and they produce several vitamins in the intestinal tract \u2014 including folic acid, niacin, and vitamins B6 and B12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main groups of bacteria found in tap water are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Coliform Bacteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Coliform bacteria is a group of bacteria that is naturally found in soil, plants and the digestive tracts of people and animals. Coliforms is typically the most common issue. Not all bacteria in this group are considered harmful if present in the water supply, but a subgroup, fecal coliforms, can cause illness. For example, drinking water with the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli), a fecal coliform, can result in intestinal inflammation. An E. coli infection can cause symptoms such as cramping, diarrhea, vomiting and fever. This infection typically requires treatment with antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the target for Coliform bacteria and E.coli is 0 for water providers the acceptable level is up to 100 CFL \/ mg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Heterotrophic Bacteria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Heterotrophic bacteria can be found in almost all water supplies. These bacteria use organic substances in their environment, such as sugar, to survive and reproduce. Drinking water is tested for this type of bacteria using the heterotrophic plate count. While a higher count of heterotrophic bacteria may indicate an environment is ripe for the development of other kinds of bacteria, heterotrophic bacteria are typically not considered dangerous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If water testing does indicate high levels of heterotrophic bacteria, further testing for other bacteria, such as E. coli, is likely needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But doesn’t chlorine kill all bacteria?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most public tap water is disinfected with chlorine or chloramine<\/a>. Free chlorine kills most bacteria, such as E. coli 0157:H7, in less than a minute if its concentration and pH are maintained as per recommendations. However, a few germs are moderately (Giardia, Hepatitis A) to very (Cryptosporidium) chlorine tolerant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A study by Lund University in Sweden actually found millions of good bacteria crawling in the water<\/a>. Watch the video here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n