cryptosporidium contamination

[GrahamE]

Hi all, we came back from what was meant to be a 2 week stay on a large site in Blackpool (her indoors decision) the day after we set up we were informed not to drink the water but it was ok once boiled. The only water for drinking we needed was for the dog but this was sorted by boiling the kettle, allowing to cool and storing in a bottle each day. I now plan to decontaminate the system - pipes, aquaroll,pump and mains adapter kit with puriclean leaving to soak for 24 hrs then flushing out with clean water. I will also replace the filter. Is there anything else I should do or is this enough?

 

[Damian]

Cryptosporidium is very difficult to remove, as has been found by the water company who have this problem, as yet still unresolved.
From looking through various journals on the topic I found this:

"but studies have shown that Cryptosporidium is 240,000 times more resistant to chlorination than Giardia (Jakubowski, 1995), and C. parvum oocyst viability was not affected by exposure to 1.05 and 3% chlorine for up to 18 hours (Korich, et al., 1990). Also, Korich, et al., found that chlorine dioxide and monochloramine were also ineffective in inactivating C. parvum oocysts in drinking water."

Because of the seriousness of this, you would be best advised to contact your regional health authority or water authority treatment technical department.

Regarding filters, the following does not make good reading either:

" If one does not want to boil water constantly, a household water filtration system or drinking bottled water can reduce the risk of Cryptosporidium infection. When selecting a filtration system, the system should have one or all of the following characteristics (Juranek, 1995):
•it can remove particles that are 0.1-1 micrometers in size
•filters water by reverse osmosis
•it has an "absolute" 1-micron filter
•meets NSF standard no. 53 for "cyst removal"

On the other hand, filters that have the following characteristics do NOT guarantee >99% removal of Cryptosporidium oocysts (Juranek, 1995): •filters with a "nominal" 1-micron rating
•only employs ultraviolet light
•uses only activated carbon for filtration
•utilizes pentiodide-impregnated resins
•it is effective against Giardia species "

 

[GrahamE]

Hi Damian, Portsmouth water is only open Mon-Fri so I will have to wait till then. The day we were told was the day the water treatment plant found out so we already had the on-board tank, aquaroll and all pipes filled up. luckily no one including the dog got ill. Reading the website info on this bug it seems its always about but the water is treated before it gets to our homes. But after our diabolical start to the holiday this was only 1 of several hiccups that nearly made me come back home. The problem I can see is if in theory I cant remove it with chemicals what would I have to do as this surly would be the same for all those residents household and business in the Lancashire area ? Can this bug die if left untouched or dry over the winter lay off. Hopefully my water company can advise me on this as I don't want to fork out on a complete water system makeover. I will post there replies as soon as poss.

 

[Phil.Q]

Hi Graham,

Thank you for highlighting this topic, It went clear over my head about the cleaning of the van system and I never would have thought of it,

Well done

Sterling Elite Explorer and Mitsy Shogun.

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Graham
Any progress?
In today's Daily Express United Utilities has promised to compensate people affected by the bug problem.UU could face a payout of £15 million for the lapse 8th standards.
Maybe you should invite them to decontaminate your caravan and equipment.

 

[GrahamE]

Hi Dusty, unfortunately its only the water that is treatable before it enters the mains system not the pipework after such as your house hot and cold system, or my caravan. The best I can do is discard the filter and flush out as many times as possible now and over the winter lay-up. I have spoken to my local water supply company technical department, and a very helpful guy in a water testing company. To treat the water would involve a very expensive UV filter set up, To claim compensation would involve a large amount of the water from my caravan (system drained before departure) which would need to be proved the same as the effected supply by DNA testing. So all in all anything other than regular flushing would involve copious amounts of cash. But one thing that could be done for others health sake who may have used the suspected supply is to inform them of what they should do as far as cleansing which I suppose could be done nationally by magazines or internet media of which I was urged to so but I'm not sure how I could do this myself.
On a more positive note myself, "her-indoors", junior and the dog are all ok despite washing, swimming, washing up and the dog drinking the supply 2 days before we were informed to boil the water for drinking are all ok, this is a good sign according to the experts I have spoke to.

 

[Damian]

Hello Graham,
Firstly may I thank you for the email sent via Parksy.
I have been in contact with Practical Caravan about this issue and they in turn have contacted Truma and Whale, who by default have most input to water systems.
Truma have enlisted their technical department in Germany to investigate what needs doing, and Whale are also investigating the problem.
As soon as there is any feedback it will be made available.