Methods of Water Treatment


Water Contaminants

Acidic Water
Aluminum
Ammonia
Arsenic
Bacteria
Barium
Benzene
Bicarbonate
Borate (Boron)
Bromine (Bromide)
Cadmium
Calcium
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chloride
Chlorine
Chromium
Color
Copper
Cryptosporidium
Cyanide
Fluoride
Giardia Lamblia
Hardness
Hydrogen Sulfide
Iron
Lead
Legionella
Magnesium
Manganese
Mercury
Methane
Nickel
Nitrate
Nitrite
Odor
Organics
Pesticides
pH
Potassium
Radium
Radon
Selenium
Silica
Silver
SOC's
Sodium
Strontium
Sulfate
Taste
THM's
TOC
Total Dissolved Solids
Turbidity
Uranium
Viruses
VOCs

Viruses

Source
Viruses are infectious organisms that range in size from 10 to 25 nanometers [1 nanometer one billionth (10-9) of a meter]. They are particles composed of an acidic nucleus surrounded by a protein shell. Viruses depend totally on living cells and lack an independent metabolism. There are over 100 types of enteric viruses. Enteric viruses are the viruses that infect humans. Enteric viruses, which are of particular interest in drinking water, are hepatitis A, Norwalk-type viruses, rotaviruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and reoviruses. The test for coliform bacterial is widely accepted as an indication whether or not the water is safe to drink; therefore tests for viruses are not usually conducted. The US EPA has established an MCL that states that 99.99% reduction or inactivation for viruses. Major enteric viruses and their diseases are shown below.

Virus (Disease)
Enteroviruses (Polio, Aseptic meningitis, and Encephalitis)
Reoviruses (Upper respiratory and gastrointestinal illness)
Rotaviruses (Gastroenteritis)
Adenoviruses (Upper respiratory and gastrointestinal illness)
Hepatitis A (Infectious)
Norwalk-type (Gastroenteritis)

Treatment
Chemical oxidation / disinfection is the preferred treatment. Chlorine feed with 30 minute contact time for retention, followed by activated carbon filtration is the most widely used treatment. Ozone or iodine may also be utilized as oxidizing agents. Ultraviolet sterilization or distillation may also be used for the treatment of viruses.

Related Products
APUV1 - For: Whole house filtration.
APUV2 - For: Whole house filtration.
APUV5 - For: Whole house filtration.
APUV8
Cactus X-12
Cactus X-8