Bio sand Water filtration and Purification

This particular method uses a bio film that’s created in the sand to destroy dangerous pathogens like bacteria and other water borne illnesses. Filters of this type are very easy to make, are low cost and have been successfully used in third world countries where water quality is poor. Many people here in the states are using these filters to purify various sources of water, particularly rain water.

While all may seem well, there are still precautions to take. Special attention must be given to the type of sand used, where it came from, and making sure the sand is free of contaminants like arsenic. Care must be given to allow proper contact time between air and water to allow the bio film to develop on the top layer. I came across a website that goes into detail on building a good solid bio sand filter. Check it out here.

Water-borne diseases may end up costing the United States more than $500M each year

This press release highlights the most common water borne diseases that hit the US each year. People often think that when they hear of Giardia and Cryptosporidium, they think of a minor bout with diarrhea that will pass. But according to the article these diseases often cause a hospital stay of about a week or more which drive up health care costs as well as the misery of being pretty sick. Read the press release.

One way to dramatically reduce your chances of dealing with these nasty bugs is to purchase a water filter that has been certified by NSF for Cysts. My personal water filter has had this certification for many years and from the water sources I had to use in the past (which in some cases came out like tea), I was extremely thankful I went the extra mile to buy the water filter when I did. You can read more about the MultiPure water filter I use.

Can a water filter really last for thousands of gallons?

You’ve probably seen the claim “good for 5000, 10,000 or “a million gallons!” advertised on many web sites that sell water filters. Are these claims fairy tales? In my 18 years of trouble shooting water filter problems …pretty much.

The grim truth reared it’s ugly head on more than one occasion. Many of those “long life” filters where put out of action in less than 3 months because they got filled up with sediment/dirt/particulate matter and where no longer filtering. In this situation the water found a way around the water filter’s media and went out unfiltered to the dismay of the owners.

Once you put a water filter in service, degradation of the media/cartridge begins. How much it degrades depends on the water source and the quality of the water filter. The dirtier the source water, the sooner the water filter will pack out.

If your source water is dirty, you may need to put on a sediment filter either on the main line (which is not a bad idea) or right before it goes into your kitchen water filter. This will relieve a great load from the main water filter. A good sediment filter is much cheaper to maintain because the filter elements are usually inexpensive. You can get them at your local home improvement center.

However, the source water may be so polluted up with “junk” that the only economical recourse is to invest in an automatic back washing filter. The time, trouble and expense of replacing basic sediment cartridges can add up.

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