Virus Removal from Water by a Portable Water Treatment Device

Category 1 Continuing Medical Education credit for WMS member physicians is available for this article. Go to http://wms.org/cme/cme.asp?whatarticle=1913 to access the test questionsObjectiveFew portable point-of-use (POU) devices are available for treatment of water by recreational enthusiasts who may obtain water from untreated sources (rivers, lakes, etc.). This study evaluated a POU device containing a structure matrix capable of removing viruses from water without the use of a disinfectant.MethodsThe unit was evaluated for the removal of poliovirus type 1, rotavirus SA-11, human norovirus, and a wide range of different coliphages exhibiting different isoelectric points, sizes, and shapes.ResultsThe removal of all virus types tested exceeded 99.99%.ConclusionThe tested unit complied with the criteria guidelines for virus removal under the US Environmental Protection Agency's “Guide Standard and Protocol for Testing of Microbiological Water Purifiers.”