Which one is the best?

[Andy CWS]

You've got to be kidding!! E-coli isn't always dangerous. It certainly is.

Boy, that's news to me. Since e. coli lives in the human body and is a natural part of our beings, I wonder how that would be dangerous. Tests for e. coli is indicator that bacteria originating in the intestines of warm-blooded animals has somehow gotten into water supplies via fecal matter--therefore, indicating a breakdown in containment.

Fact is, most strains of e. coli are harmless.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Escherichia_coli

http://www.medicinenet.com/enteroinvasive_e_coli/article.htm

Strain O157:H7 is well-known as a pathogen. And there are other strains that can cause some health-related problems. But to say that all e. coli is dangerous is not accurate, I'm afraid.

Nonetheless, if water tests positive for escherichia coli (regardless of type), then water disinfection is recommended. As being an "indicator bacteria", there then is the assumption that further, perhaps more dangerous, consequences may result from infection of water supplies. Normally, further tests are not even conducted because minimum levels of contamination have been surpassed.

The e. coli, itself, may not be dangerous to humans, but caution is always in order.

That's OK Mr. Slusser, it's not your fault. This is common knowledge for those who work with disinfection and public water systems. Often the general public just "reads the headlines' and don't do follow-up research, so they hear about E. COLI and public warnings and make assumptions and generalizations.


Andy Christensen, CWS-II

[Gary Slusser]

Andy, taken in context, if someone is told their water is showing the presence of E-Coli, it is a dangerous situation for their family.

Coliform bacteria is the "indicator bacteria" , it is actually a rather large group of bacteria, not E-Coli, which is also a group of bacteria. And yes, not all types of E-Coli are dangerous BUT, the person that is told their water contains E-Coli had better assume their water is dangerous. Hence my surprise at your comment but now I see you were not speaking in context.

If E-Coli is present in a 100 ml sample of the water, the water is deemed as being unfit for human consumption; so says the EPA and all US states and local governmental agencies.

Anyone wanting to can check that out quite easily.

Andy, I have worked with many "disinfection and public water systems" in my 21+ years in water treatment.

I was approved to do water testing, sales and installation for the FHA and VA in regards to bacteria contamination and remediation for those type of mortgages.

I have also worked within the parameters of the PA DEP Small Water System regulations for the sales and installation of remediation equipment.

I did both for many years. Also, I have averaged as many as 18 Coliform bacteria tests per day, and always did a Coliform bacteria test for all my prospective customers that had their own wells. That was from 1987 to the end of 2004.

I recall you telling me in early 2006 that you had only been in our business 4 years and only as a softener salesman. I can see why you would make the comment that E-Coli is not dangerous in a conversation about it being found in someones' well water and now correct it, but still, that is an irresponsible statement for someone in any part of the water treatment business; especially with WQA Certification, albeit only level II of VI.

[Andy CWS]

Please don't misquote. I stand by my statement and didn't change directions as you indicate. You did, however, by claiming that all e. Coli is 'always' dangerous and then after reading my links came back and tried to say otherwise all-the-while making it appear as though I was the one backtracking. Please don't misquote me.

Thank you,
Andy Christensen, CWS-II

Not to say that e.coli is always dangerous but a disinfection system would be needed.

[Gary Slusser]

If E-Coli is present in a 100 ml sample of the water, the water is deemed as being unfit for human consumption; so says the EPA and all US states and local governmental agencies.