Effectiveness of Home Water Filters Against Escherchia coli and Cryptosporidium

Are They Worth the Money?

Shannon K. Kulick School of Natural and Health Sciences Lake Superior State University Abstract. Since 1986, 115 outbreaks of waterborne diseases caused by microbes have been documented in the United States. What are the people doing to protect themselves? They are spending nearly $450 million a year on home water filters. This experiment tested the effectiveness of three popular brands of filters: PUR, Brita, and Culligan, against E. coli and Cryptosporidium. Prices were taken into consideration to see if the more expensive filters were better at filtration. To test for E. coli a 0.1mL drop (1.5x108 E. coli/mL) was placed in 100mL, 500mL, or 1000mL of deionized water. These samples were then sent through each filter and incubated over night. Turbidity values of 0, +1, +2, and +3 were given the following morning. An ANOVA test was performed to test for differences among the three filters at each volume. The results showed significant differences between the three filters at 100mL and 500mL of water. At 1000mL, PUR differed significantly from Brita and Culligan but Brita and Culligan showed no statistical differences. PUR showed the best filtration; however, none of the filters were effective at stopping E. coli making the water undrinkable. A 0.1mL drop of ParaPak 10% formalin fixative Cryptosporidium was placed in 1000mL of water and sent through each filter. Samples were taken and observed under a microscope for oocysts. A Chi-square test was performed to test each companys claim of their effectiveness in stopping Cryptosporidium contamination. Results showed that both PUR and Culligan did stop Cryptosporidium as stated but Brita failed to hold up to its claim. Though the most expensive, PUR is the most beneficial in stopping Cryptosporidium, followed by Culligan which was the least expensive. To ensure safe drinking for water that might be contaminated, water should always be boiled to eliminate any chance of disease.
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