Bacteria in water - NZ
This is becoming more of an issue globally and in New Zealand we typically add chlorine to our water supply to remove the chance of bacteria entering the water supply.
Coliforms and E. coli are both types of bacteria commonly used as indicators of water quality, especially in assessing the safety of drinking water. Here's a brief overview:
Coliform Bacteria:
Definition: Coliform bacteria are a group of bacteria found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. They serve as indicators of fecal contamination and potential pathogens in water.
Significance: The presence of coliform bacteria in water suggests the possible presence of harmful pathogens. Monitoring coliform levels is crucial for assessing water quality and ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies in New Zealand.
Escherichia coli (E. coli):
Definition: E. coli is a specific species of coliform bacteria commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals, including humans. Certain pathogenic strains of E. coli can cause severe illness.
Significance: The presence of E. coli in water indicates recent fecal contamination and poses health risks, including gastrointestinal infections. Monitoring E. coli levels is essential for assessing water quality and ensuring the safety of drinking water supplies in New Zealand.
Ministry for the Environment & Ministry of Health. (2019)
Testing for coliforms and E. coli in water involves collecting samples and culturing them on specific media that encourage the growth of these bacteria. The presence and concentration of these bacteria in the water sample can then be determined by observing colony growth. Regulatory agencies often have guidelines and standards for acceptable levels of coliforms and E. coli in drinking water to ensure its safety for consumption.
Options to combat bacteria.
There are several methods commonly used to sterilize water to remove bacteria and make it safe for consumption:
Boiling: Boiling water is a simple and effective method to eliminate bacteria and other pathogens (Ministry of Health, 2020). Bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute is recommended to ensure microbial safety (Watercare, n.d.).
Chlorination: Chlorination is a widely used method in New Zealand for disinfecting water by adding chlorine-based compounds (Water New Zealand, 2017). Proper chlorination practices are essential for maintaining water quality and safety standards (Dunedin City Council, 2018).
UV Disinfection: UV (ultraviolet) light treatment is gaining popularity in New Zealand for water disinfection due to its effectiveness against bacteria and viruses (Environment Canterbury, 2021). UV systems are increasingly implemented in water treatment facilities across the country (Wellington Water, 2019).
Filtration: Filtration methods, such as activated carbon and membrane filtration, play a significant role in water treatment in New Zealand to remove bacteria and impurities (Watercare, 2020). Filtration processes are crucial for meeting water quality requirements and ensuring safe drinking water (Auckland Council, 2016).
Filtering Chlorine from water:
Filtration to remove chlorine from water typically involves using activated carbon filters. Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is highly porous and has a large surface area, which enables it to adsorb (not absorb) chlorine and other impurities from water.
Here's how activated carbon filtration works to remove chlorine:
Adsorption: When water passes through an activated carbon filter, chlorine molecules and other impurities are attracted to the surface of the carbon particles and adhere to them through a process called adsorption. This effectively removes chlorine from the water, along with other volatile organic compounds and contaminants.
Chemical Reaction: In addition to adsorption, activated carbon can also chemically react with chlorine, converting it into harmless chloride ions. This reaction helps to further reduce the chlorine content of the water.
Activated carbon filters are commonly used in point-of-use and point-of-entry water filtration systems, such as faucet filters, countertop filters, under-sink filters, and whole-house filtration systems. They are effective at improving the taste and odor of water by removing chlorine and other unwanted chemicals.
It's important to note that activated carbon filters have a limited capacity and need to be replaced regularly to maintain their effectiveness. The frequency of filter replacement depends on factors such as the volume of water treated, the concentration of chlorine in the water, and the size and type of the filter.
References:
Auckland Council. (2016). Water filtration. Retrieved from https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/environment/water/water-quality/Pages/water-filtration.aspx
Dunedin City Council. (2018). Chlorination. Retrieved from https://www.dunedin.govt.nz/services/water/chlorination
Water New Zealand. (2017). Chlorination in drinking water treatment. Wellington, New Zealand: Water New Zealand.
Watercare. (n.d.). Boiling water. Retrieved from https://www.watercare.co.nz/Water-and-wastewater/Boil-water-notice
Watercare. (2020). Filtration. Retrieved from https://www.watercare.co.nz/Water-and-wastewater/Water-quality/Filtration
Wellington Water. (2019). UV treatment. Retrieved from https://www.wellingtonwater.co.nz/water-services/treating-water/uv-treatment/
Ministry for the Environment & Ministry of Health. (2019). Microbiological water quality guidelines for marine and freshwater recreational areas. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry for the Environment & Ministry of Health.
Cyclone Gabrielle
It has been a tough start to the year with multiple regions being devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle.
With so many regions being cutoff with bridges down and power supply not being put back on for days or weeks, this is a very challenging time for New Zealand.
We have put together a package to support people when they have power cuts. Using solar to charge batteries and in turn power water pumps, UV filters and many other essential things, solar is the longest term reliable option available on the market.
We have managed to create a Solar system with battery that can be used all the time even when you have power. They can power things like your water pump and UV filter without using grid power. It means that you will always have water on supply if there is a power cut and you save money on grid power costs in the long run.
For $2900, we can supply a simple Solar system to do this job, there are multiple options in supply size but $2900 will get you a robust long lasting unit with battery.
Alongside this we are able to provide Tanks, Filters and Pumps where needed.
New water regulations
Taumata Arowai logo
Taumata Arowai is the regulator for New Zealand water suppliers.
This week they released the new rules and regulations for water suppliers.
A water supplier is deemed:
Any water piped from a source to more than one household. This includes piped supply to a school, Marae or community buildings.
If the water supply is town supplied water, the supplier is the local council, so if you are living or working when water is supplied by town supply, only the local council will need to change their policies.
These rules and regulations do not affect people who are in one house that has one supply.
There are a number of categories of suppliers and each one has different rules and regulations for treatment and monitoring.
Here are the categories:
a) Very Small Community (VSC). Drinking water supplies of any configuration or arrangement that provide drinking water to a population of up to 25 people (excluding a domestic self supplied home). In circumstances when the population supplied fluctuates, the population supplied may increase to up to 50 people for up to 60 days in any 12 month period. Compliant to VSC (monitoring every 6 months of E-Coli, total coliforms - reporting annually)
b) Level 1: Small 26 – 100 people. Varying Population module requirements can apply to this drinking water supply category. Compliant to Level 1 (monitoring every 3 months of E-Coli, total coliforms and turbidity - reporting annually). All water supplied must be treated via 5 micron filtration and Class A UV. Backflow and cross connection risk need to be eliminated and assessed.
c) Level 2: Medium 101 – 500 people. Varying Population module requirements can apply to this drinking water supply category. Compliant to Level 2 (monitoring every month on a number of items, reporting annually). A number of treatment processes needed.
d) Level 3: Large >500 people. Compliant to Level 3 (quite complex, ask for information)
The main point of the new rules and regulations is to ensure that all potable water is free from e-coli, total coliforms and meets drinking water quality and aesthetic standards. The most important component is water that is free from e-coli and total coliforms.
Generally there is a simple solution to your water purification so these standards are met.
Cloud Water Purification has established processes and filtration products to support these regulations and most of them are not overly expensive.
Here is the process:
Water testing - This needs to be completed by a registered IANZ lab. This includes Hill Laboratories who can send out a testing kit. We can also organise testing for a location and get it tested. Depending on your level of supply will depend on your testing/monitoring schedule.
Treatment - The test results will determine what is needed to be purified. Most of the time a standard 5 micron twin filter unit and UV filter are necessary. These start from $2220+GST fully installed.
Reporting - This most likely occurs once a year at the beginning of February depending on your level.
There will be a need to be registered with Taumata Arowai so that the reporting process is easily recognised and straight forward.
Some more information on our Three Waters page
Fluoridation
The Government brought out news today that Ashley Bloomfield has written to 14 Councils to fluoridate their water. From international standards in fluoridation, it is noted generally that the use of fluoridation up to 1.5ppm is safe for health and supports the health of teeth especially.
Within this there is a large population of the community that is against fluoridation of water. This is due to skeletal fluorosis as well as dental fluorosis which is typically probable in water that has fluoride higher than 1.5ppm.
Some people also notice that Fluoride effects their thyroid health in a negative way.
Fluoride comes from fluroine, which is a common, natural, and abundant element.
Adding fluoride to the water supply reduces the incidence of tooth decay.
Fluoride protects teeth from decay by demineralization and remineralization.
Too much fluoride can lead to dental fluorosis or skeletal fluorosis, which can damage bones and joints.
Fluoride is only ingested into the body orally so you only need to purify the drinking water, there is no need to purify the whole house water.
To purify water from fluoride, there are two main ways:
is the use of Reverse Osmosis to purify water. This is a more expensive solution as the filter units are quite complex with multiple stages. The RO membrane is the one that does all the work on this. Prices start from $1495 fully installed. The filters last quite a long time with membranes lasting upto 5 years.
is the use of AAL or Activated Alumina. This is the lower priced option as it only requires a two stage filter that includes the AAL and Carbon Block filter. Prices are generally $850 fully installed. The AAL filter lasts 6 moths before needing changing and typically cost $150 for two filters.
These places have now been asked to add fluoridation to their water supply:
Auckland, Hastings, Horowhenua, Kawerau, Nelson, New Plymouth, Rotorua Lakes, Tararua, Tauranga City, Waipa, Waitaki, Western Bay of Plenty, Far North and Whangārei.
To see where in New Zealand Fluoridation has already occurred
Information taken from: