The Most Common Waterborne Microbes & How to Filter Them
A quick-reference guide to what’s out there, where it comes from, and how to protect your health.
|
Microbe |
Source |
Health Risks |
Effective Treatment |
|
E. coli |
Animal or human feces (often roof runoff or poor tank hygiene) |
Diarrhea, vomiting, kidney strain |
Ultrafiltration (0.01 micron), UV, boiling |
|
Giardia (protozoa) |
Animal waste near catchments or in tanks |
Chronic gut issues, fatigue, malabsorption |
Ultrafiltration, UV, boiling |
|
Cryptosporidium |
Contaminated water or runoff |
Diarrhea, dehydration, long-lasting symptoms |
Ultrafiltration, boiling (UV may be less effective) |
|
Campylobacter |
Common in NZ — often via bird droppings on roofs |
Gut infection, fever, cramping |
UF, UV, boiling |
|
Salmonella |
Floodwater or fecal contamination |
Gastroenteritis, nausea, fever |
UF, UV, boiling |
|
Shigella |
Human sewage contamination |
Intestinal infection, severe diarrhea |
UF, UV, boiling |
|
Legionella |
Warm, stagnant water in pipes or tanks |
Respiratory infections (Legionnaires’ disease) |
UV, avoid stagnant hot water, regular flushing |
|
Pseudomonas |
Biofilms in pipes, tank slime |
Can infect wounds or lungs (rare in healthy people) |
UF, regular system cleaning |
|
Mycobacterium spp. |
Plumbing systems, tank residues |
Respiratory irritation (in immunocompromised) |
UV + regular system maintenance |