Virus removal from water by a portable water treatment device.
OBJECTIVE
Few 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.


METHODS
The 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.


RESULTS
The removal of all virus types tested exceeded 99.99%.


CONCLUSIONS
The 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."
Gerba
Charles P
CP
Department of Soil, Water and Environmental Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. gerba@ag.arizona.edu
Naranjo
Jamie E
JE
Jones
Ellen L
EL
D006801:Humans; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D010316:Particle Size; D014780:Viruses / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014867:Water; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*
D014867:Water