Evaluation of a portable water purification system for the removal of enteric pathogens

The need for personal and potable water treatment devices has evolved from consumer interest in improving and ensuring the quality of drinking water. Such devices are especially useful to hikers and campers who often must use available surface water supplies. A portable iodinated water purification system was evaluated for the ability to inactivate/remove Klebsiella terrigena, poliovirus type 1, rotavirus SA-11 and Cryptosporidium oocysts under a variety of different water quality conditions: <1.0-10mg/L total organic carbon, turbidity <1-30NTU and total dissolved solids 200-1,500mg/L. The units were tested at room temperature and 4°C. The results showed that the system can achieve a geometric average removal of 6 log₁₀ for Klebsiella terrigena, 4 log₁₀ for poliovirus type 1 and rotavirus SA-11, and 3 log₁₀ of Cryptosporidium oocysts.