E. coli, short for Escherichia coli, is a type of fecal coliform bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans. If ingested, this bacteria can result in serious sickness and even death. When E. coli contaminates your drinking water, one should either avoid drinking it completely, or render it safe by boiling the water or purifying it with a high quality water filter.

How Does e-Coli Get into Drinking Water?

During rainfalls, snow melts, or other types of precipitation, E. coli can get into drinking water by being washed into creeks, rivers, streams, lakes, or ground water. When these waters are used as sources of drinking water and the water is not adequately treated, E. coli may be inadvertently ingested.

Most of the hundreds of strains of E. coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals. However E. coli O157:H7 is an exception; as it produces a powerful toxin.

What Are the Health Effects of e-Coli?

Evidence but not proof of ingestion includes severe bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramps, or non-bloody diarrhea. Frequently, a fever will not be one of the symptoms.

In 2%-7% of those infected with E. coli O157:H7, the bacterium will also cause hemolytic uremic syndrome. This is evident when the red blood cells are destroyed and the kidneys fail. This condition is a life threatening and may require blood transfusions and kidney dialysis as treatments.

Symptoms usually appear within two to four days, but could take longer. With this strain of E. coli, antibiotics should be avoided as they can some exacerbate kidney problems. Recovery within five to ten days usually follows without antibiotics. Any person who has sudden bloody diarrhea should get their stool tested for E. coli O157:H7 immediately. Children under five, the elderly, and those with weak immune systems are the most vulnerable.

Can e-Coli Contaminate my Well Water?

If served by well water, one should be cautious of potential e-Coli contamination, especially when farm animals are present. Private water sources typically do not have routine E. Coli monitoring and thus can be at risk.

The addition of chlorine, or treatment of water with ultra-violet light or ozone will kill or inactivate this strain of E. coli.

Do Water Filters like Brita Remove e-Coli?

Some water filters will remove e-Coli, but mass market filters such as Brita and Zerowater WILL NOT remove e-Coli.

How to Remove e-Coli from Water?

If your drinking water is contaminated, then one of the the safest procedures to remove e-Coli from your water is to boil it. In addition, there are high quality water purifiers on the market that will also remove E. Coli.

One of these water purifiers is the Berkey water filter. With the ability to remove E. coli bacteria to a log 7 degree, or 99.99999%, the Berkey water will render contaminated drinking water safe to drink. Purchasing a Berkey water purifier is a relatively inexpensive way to provide peace of mind for you and your family.