title: Comparison of Hollow-Fiber Ultrafilters with Pleated Capsule Filters for Surface and Tap Water Samples Using U.S. EPA Method 1623.
abstract: The EPA method 1623 is designed specifically for the detection ofCryptosporidiumandGiardia, but the method has some issues with low and variable recoveries. Ultrafiltration has been used effectively for microorganism recovery from water samples but is not approved by the EPA. To determine the efficacy of using ultrafiltration, 10-L tap water and surface water samples were seeded withCryptosporidiumandGiardiaand concentrated with either a pleated capsule filter or a hollow-fiber ultrafilter. ForCryptosporidum, oocyst recovery in tap water was significantly higher for ultrafiltration (68%) versus the capsule filter (37%); ultrafiltration recovered 65% of oocysts in surface water versus 61% for the capsule filter. However,Giardiacyst recovery was mixed. In tap water, the capsule filter produced a significantly better recovery (85%) ofGiardiacompared with ultrafiltration (63%), but the surface water ultrafiltration recovery (81%) was significantly better than the capsule filter recovery (40%). Overall, ultrafiltration recoveries were equal to or better forCryptosporidium, but recoveries ofGiardiawere varied depending on the filter used and the type of water analyzed.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory Analyst III, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities, 4222 Westmont Dr., Charlotte, NC 28217; Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223.
authors.forename: Gina H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Kimble
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Amburgey
authors.affiliation: Team Lead, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Laboratory Team, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329.
authors.forename: Vincent R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Hill
keywords: Drinking water; Laboratory tests; Methodology; Microbes; Surface water