Bacterial and Microbial Contamination Definitions and Guidelines
Microorganisms-algae, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.
Protozoa & protozoa cysts (Giardia, cryptosporidium) are microscopic, usually single celled microoganisms which live in water and are relatively larger in comparison to other microbes. Protozoa are higher on the food chain than the bacteria that they eat. Many protozoa are parasitic.
Bacteria and bacteria Cysts
Single-celled organisms which lack well-defined nuclear membranes and other specialized functional cell parts and reproduce by cell division or spores. Bacteria may be free-living organisms or parasites. Bacteria (along with fungi) are de-composers that break down the wastes and bodies of dead organisms, making their components available for reuse. Bacterial cells range from about 1 to 10 microns in length and from 0.2 to 1 micron in width. They exist almost everywhere on earth. Despite their small size, the total weight of all bacteria in the world likely exceeds that of all other organisms combined. Some bacteria are helpful to humans, others harmful.
Cryptosporidium
Our NSF systems are certified to remove Cryptosporidium.
In 1993 over 400,000 residents of Milwaukee, Wisconsin were overcome with gastrointestinal illness when the public water supply was contaminated with Cryptosporidium, a microscopic, cyst enclosed parasite. Over 100 people with compromised immune systems died. Most recently "Dateline", the NBC evening news show, reported that Cryptosporidium has been found in other major city water supplies, including New York City. Experts estimate that 50% of the nation's city water supplies may have Crypto present. Yet, most cities don't even test for Crypto. It should also be noted that most bottled water is not tested for Crypto. The 1993, Cryptosporidium outbreak caused 400,000 people in Milwaukee to experience intestinal illness. More than 4,000 were hospitalized, and at least 50 deaths have been attributed to the disease. There have also been cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in Nevada, Oregon, and Georgia over the past several years.
Cryptosporidium is found in water in a cyst form. The cyst is a shell that protects the parasite within. In the intestinal system, the cyst walls are broken, releasing the parasite into the body where it multiplies and causes illnesses like cramps, diarrhea and even death. It is especially harmful to children, the elderly, and when one's immune system is weakened by colds, flu, or HIV.
Cryptosporidium, is resistant to traditional disinfection practices. Experiments have been conducted where cysts have been drenched in 100% chlorine for 48 hours and they survived just fine. The shell of the cyst can only be disintegrated by the digestive process-stomach acids of living creatures. Therefore, they must be mechanically filtered out. A common waterborne protozoan that forms cysts and is resistant to disinfectants such as chlorine and ultraviolet light.
GiardiaLamblia;
Giardia can be removed by filters that capture all particles of 4 microns and greater in size.
A type of cyst found in the intestines of mammals and in water contaminated by mammal droppings. The giardialamblia cyst, which is common and is frequently carried by water, is capable of causing a contagious waterborne disease characterized by acute diarrhea. This disease is sometimes called beaver fever because of beaver droppings containing the disease in water in stream beds. (Check NSF Certification section for what we can say.)
Coloform and Other Types of Bacteria
o Ozone, chlorine injection, distillation and DI are the only technologies designed for destroying or removing bacteria. If you have coloform in your water, you must filter the water prior to RO treatment.
Bacteria Size-10M in length/.2-1M in width
Single-celled organisms which lack well-defined nuclear membranes and other specialized functional cell parts and reproduce by cell division or spores. Bacteria may be free-living organisms or parasites. Bacteria (along with fungi) are de-composers that break down the wastes and bodies of dead organisms, making their components available for reuse. Bacterial cells range from about 1 to 10 microns in length and from 0.2 to 1 micron in width. They exist almost everywhere on earth. Despite their small size, the total weight of all bacteria in the world likely exceeds that of all other organisms combined. Some bacteria are helpful to humans, others harmful.
Fungi:
Plantlike organisms with cells that have distinct nuclei surrounded by nuclear membranes as well as other specialized functional cell parts but that cannot carry on photosynthesis. Most fungi are decomposers of wastes and dead bodies from other oganisms; a few are parasitic. Yeasts, molds, mildew and mushrooms are all fungi.
Microorganisms-algae, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses.
Protozoa & protozoa cysts (Giardia, cryptosporidium) are microscopic, usually single celled microoganisms which live in water and are relatively larger in comparison to other microbes. Protozoa are higher on the food chain than the bacteria that they eat. Many protozoa are parasitic.
Bacteria and bacteria Cysts
Single-celled organisms which lack well-defined nuclear membranes and other specialized functional cell parts and reproduce by cell division or spores. Bacteria may be free-living organisms or parasites. Bacteria (along with fungi) are de-composers that break down the wastes and bodies of dead organisms, making their components available for reuse. Bacterial cells range from about 1 to 10 microns in length and from 0.2 to 1 micron in width. They exist almost everywhere on earth. Despite their small size, the total weight of all bacteria in the world likely exceeds that of all other organisms combined. Some bacteria are helpful to humans, others harmful.
Cryptosporidium
Our NSF systems are certified to remove Cryptosporidium.
In 1993 over 400,000 residents of Milwaukee, Wisconsin were overcome with gastrointestinal illness when the public water supply was contaminated with Cryptosporidium, a microscopic, cyst enclosed parasite. Over 100 people with compromised immune systems died. Most recently "Dateline", the NBC evening news show, reported that Cryptosporidium has been found in other major city water supplies, including New York City. Experts estimate that 50% of the nation's city water supplies may have Crypto present. Yet, most cities don't even test for Crypto. It should also be noted that most bottled water is not tested for Crypto. The 1993, Cryptosporidium outbreak caused 400,000 people in Milwaukee to experience intestinal illness. More than 4,000 were hospitalized, and at least 50 deaths have been attributed to the disease. There have also been cryptosporidiosis outbreaks in Nevada, Oregon, and Georgia over the past several years.
Cryptosporidium is found in water in a cyst form. The cyst is a shell that protects the parasite within. In the intestinal system, the cyst walls are broken, releasing the parasite into the body where it multiplies and causes illnesses like cramps, diarrhea and even death. It is especially harmful to children, the elderly, and when one's immune system is weakened by colds, flu, or HIV.
Cryptosporidium, is resistant to traditional disinfection practices. Experiments have been conducted where cysts have been drenched in 100% chlorine for 48 hours and they survived just fine. The shell of the cyst can only be disintegrated by the digestive process-stomach acids of living creatures. Therefore, they must be mechanically filtered out. A common waterborne protozoan that forms cysts and is resistant to disinfectants such as chlorine and ultraviolet light.
GiardiaLamblia;
Giardia can be removed by filters that capture all particles of 4 microns and greater in size.
A type of cyst found in the intestines of mammals and in water contaminated by mammal droppings. The giardialamblia cyst, which is common and is frequently carried by water, is capable of causing a contagious waterborne disease characterized by acute diarrhea. This disease is sometimes called beaver fever because of beaver droppings containing the disease in water in stream beds. (Check NSF Certification section for what we can say.)
Coloform and Other Types of Bacteria
o Ozone, chlorine injection, distillation and DI are the only technologies designed for destroying or removing bacteria. If you have coloform in your water, you must filter the water prior to RO treatment.
Bacteria Size-10M in length/.2-1M in width
Single-celled organisms which lack well-defined nuclear membranes and other specialized functional cell parts and reproduce by cell division or spores. Bacteria may be free-living organisms or parasites. Bacteria (along with fungi) are de-composers that break down the wastes and bodies of dead organisms, making their components available for reuse. Bacterial cells range from about 1 to 10 microns in length and from 0.2 to 1 micron in width. They exist almost everywhere on earth. Despite their small size, the total weight of all bacteria in the world likely exceeds that of all other organisms combined. Some bacteria are helpful to humans, others harmful.
Fungi:
Plantlike organisms with cells that have distinct nuclei surrounded by nuclear membranes as well as other specialized functional cell parts but that cannot carry on photosynthesis. Most fungi are decomposers of wastes and dead bodies from other oganisms; a few are parasitic. Yeasts, molds, mildew and mushrooms are all fungi.
