In light of the water crisis affecting some areas in Hanoi, Dr. Vu Thi Tan from Hanoi University of Science and Technology provides methods for treating E. Coli contaminated water at home.
E. Coli is a common bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals. Some strains of E. Coli can produce extremely potent toxins that may cause serious illness.
With years of research and teaching experience in water treatment, Dr. Vu Thi Tan outlines three basic methods to eliminate E. Coli in household water.
Using Chlorine
Chlorine is a powerful oxidizing and disinfecting chemical. Water treatment plants commonly add chlorine during the final stages of water processing to disinfect and kill bacteria. You can purchase chlorine tablets (powder) at stores or online at very low prices.
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, treating drinking water and water for daily use in areas contaminated with E. Coli should be done using chlorine compounds according to regulations, achieving a residual chlorine concentration of 0.3 mg to 0.5 mg per liter of water.
Dr. Tan recommends that households can use 70-72 grams of chlorine powder (70% chlorine) mixed with 10 liters of clean water and stir until completely dissolved to obtain clean water suitable for cooking.
Using Filtration Systems
Reverse osmosis (RO) systems effectively remove E. Coli bacteria. These RO systems utilize filters to push water through membranes while preventing contaminants and E. Coli from passing through. Households with RO water purifiers can confidently use them for drinking and washing fruits and vegetables. For added safety, it is advisable to replace the filter regularly.
RO filter effectively treats E. Coli contaminated water. (Photo: Tan Vu T-clean).
UV Light Treatment
You can use UV (ultraviolet) lights to effectively eliminate E. Coli from drinking water. When water passes through a UV system, all existing bacteria in the water will be destroyed. UV lights are widely available online and at hardware stores, priced between 200,000 to one million VND depending on the power.
