• Question: Have there been any water filters that can successfully disinfect water, thus making it safe to drink?

    Asked by andrei to Paul on 25 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Paul Waines

      Paul Waines answered on 25 Jun 2013:

      Hi andrei- there are many water filters available that can take most bacteria out of water, but these probably wouldnt take care of the viruses, which are much smaller. Strictly speaking ‘disinfection’ means that the bacteria are killed, and filtering means that the bacteria are still alive- they are just taken out of the water, a bit like putting a very small net in their way. So its a good idea to change these filters, wherever they are used, once in a while- otherwise they get clogged up

Comments

  • Photo: PB

    PB commented on :

    In the late 19th century viruses were first discovered with water filters. The Doulton water filter prevented bacteria causing disease, but some diseases “got through”, leading to the definition of this toxic filtrate as “virus”, which is the latin word for poison…