Microbial Removal and Inactivation from Water by Filters Containing Magnesium Peroxide

Microporous filters containing Mgo₂were shown to be effective in the removal and inactivation of bacteria and viruses from tapwater. Pseudomonasaeruginosa, P. cepacia and Escherichia co1i col lected by the filters were found to rapidly decrease in numbers to undetectable levels within 24 hours. In contrast, the same bacteria collected on identical filters not containing Mgo₂, either rapidly increased in numbers or their numbers remained unchanged. Poliovirus type₁, Echovirus type 1, Reovirus type 3 and Rotavirus SA-11 were found to readily adsorb to the filters. The numbers of viruses which could be recovered from the Mgo₂containing filters decreased rapidly with time as compared to contro1 filters. No significant inactivation of bacteria or viruses occurred in tapwater passed through the filters, strongly suggesting that the microorganisms were being inactivated while adsorbed to the filters and not by substances released by the filters into the water. The filters remained effective even after the passage of large volumes of tapwater through small diameter filters and in the presence of raw sewage-contaminated tapwater. Such filters could potentially be useful for disinfection of water supplies for small community and individual water systems.