Microbial removal and inactivation from water by filters containing magnesium peroxide

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Abstract
Microporous filters containing MgO2 were shown to be effective in the removal and inactivation of bacteria and viruses from tapwater. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. cepacia and Escherichia coli collected 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 type 1, 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 MgO2 containing filters decreased rapidly with time as compared to control 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.

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