Parasites

 
 

 

GIARDIA AND CRYPTOSPORIDIUM IN DRINKING WATER
Click this heading to go to the Federal Government site about Parasites.

What are Giardia and Cryptosporidium?

Giardia and Cryptosporidium are microscopic parasites that can be found in water. Giardia causes an intestinal illness called Giardiasis or "beaver fever." Cryptosporidium is responsible for a similar illness called cryptosporidiosis.

How do these parasites cause illness?

Both parasites produce cysts that are very resistant to harsh environmental conditions. When ingested, they germinate, reproduce, and cause illness. After feeding, the parasites form new cysts, which are then passed in the faeces. Studies with human volunteers have shown that ingestion of only a few cysts will cause illness.

What are the symptoms?

Diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, gas, malaise, and weight loss are the most common symptoms caused by Giardia. Vomiting, chills, headache, and fever may also occur. These symptoms usually surface six to 16 days after the initial contact and can continue as long as one month.

The symptoms of cryptosporidiosis are similar; the most common include watery diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, nausea, and headaches. These symptoms occur within two to 25 days of infection and usually last one or two weeks; in some cases they stick around for up to a month.

Is there a Canadian drinking water guideline for these parasites?

Yes and no. A guideline has been established for Giardia and Cryptosporidium, but because the current detection methods are not very reliable the guideline does not give a maximum acceptable concentration (MAC) value for these parasites in drinking water. The guideline does, however, encourage water treatment authorities to implement measures aimed at reducing the risk of illness as much as possible. The guideline states: "If the presence of viable, human-infectious cysts or oocysts is known or suspected in source waters, or if Giardia or Cryptosporidium has been responsible for past waterborne outbreaks in a community, a treatment and distribution regime and a watershed or wellhead protection plan (where feasible) or other measures known to reduce the risk of illness should be implemented."

The Bacteria Barrier

Above left are bacteria against the holes of a reverse osmosis membrane filter.  As you can see the pours of the membrane are considerably smaller then the bacteria.

The cyst at the bottom left is also highlighted against the membrane.  This demonstrates how unlikely it is that either can pass through the membranes pour structure.

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Water For Life
The evolution of drinking water
Reverse osmosis water filters Reverse osmosis water filters Reverse osmosis water filters
Now serving Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo


Water For Life
Water For Life is dedicated to renting equipment for filtering and purifying water of chlorine, heavy metals, lead, bacteria, cysts, parasites, THM, trihalomethane, and viruses so that you experience water that is crystal clear, refreshing and tastes clean. We have self filling water bottles for your office and we provide specialty purified water for industries such as printers, welding shops and aquariums.
Our self filling bottled water is for those of you who don't have the time to lift bottled water, store bottle water, or deal with empty bottled water bottles. Our bottled water never leaves the top of your water cooler. Instead we connect our purified or filtered water right to the bottled water and it fills up when you take a cup full.
We have researched the effects of chlorine, and chlorine by products in the Victoria water system and alone they constitute enough reason to filter and purify our drinking water, shower, and bath water.
In the process of changing Victoria City water into great tasting, crystal clear drinking water we use carbon / charcoal filters, poly spun filters, reverse osmosis membranes, and KDF media to filter various impurities from your tap water so it is pure and healthy.
Please look at our research page and breaking news page to discover for yourself what is in tap water and what can be done to protect yourself from ingesting disinfection agents in Victoria City water.
Ask about whole house filter systems. The only way to end chlorine entering your body is for you and your family is to install a whole house, point of entry filtered water system.
We rent reveres osmosis and carbon filter systems for your home, office and industry. Our rental water purification systems include full maintenance including the cost of filters for one standard rental price.
With the Water For Life under sink water purification system, tap water first flows through three pre filters to remove dirt, rust, sediment and chlorine.
If the cooler or holding tank is less than full, the water continues on to the next stage of the process.
The reverse osmosis membrane, will separate contaminants from the molecules of water. The contaminants are then washed down the drain and the purified water then moves on to your water cooler or pure water reservoir.
We also rent whole house water filters that filter the water for your whole house or business. Whole house big blue water filters create a rain water like shower for you whole family. Look for combined rates for whole house water filters and reverse osmosis water filters on our price list page. For higher ranking with Google and Yahoo use shop in Victoria BC Canada.
Water For Life
Reverse osmosis water filters Reverse osmosis water filters Reverse osmosis water filters
Now serving Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo - South Vancouver Island
The evolution of drinking water. Steven Ranger Personal coach

Water For Life Purified Water Co.
Copyright © 2001 Water for Life purified water Co. All rights reserved.
Revised: 03/21/2009.
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