Clean your water filter every 3 to 6 months depending on usage, or immediately when you notice reduced flow or a change in taste. Filtered water housing—like pitchers or faucet attachments—should be washed with soap every time you replace the cartridge to prevent slimy buildup.
The truth is, it depends on a few factors: how often you use your system, the quality of your water, and the type of filter you're using. But as a general guide, you'll want to replace most filters every 6 to 12 months. Does your water have a funny taste, or is the pressure suddenly weak?
Many but not all available home water filters remove Cryptosporidium. Some filter designs are more suitable for removal of Cryptosporidium than others. Filters that have the words “reverse osmosis” on the label protect against Cryptosporidium. Some other types of filters that function by micro-straining also work.
Giardia cysts can infect humans and other animals. As in the case of Cryptosporidium, reverse osmosis or activated carbon block filters featuring at least 0.5 micron level filtration are recommended for their removal.
The Role of RO Water in Supporting Kidney Function
Reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration is a highly effective method of purifying water. By forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane, RO systems remove up to 99% of contaminants, including: Heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
Soda is one of the worst drinks for kidney health. Regular soda is packed with sugar and caffeine. Dark sodas also contain phosphorus additives. These can be harmful to people with kidney problems because they can cause bone and heart issues.
Your kidneys filter around 50 gallons of blood every single day, removing waste, balancing fluids, and keeping blood pressure in check.
Find out how parasites might be getting into your water supply
Giardia often causes pale or yellow, greasy, very foul-smelling stools that may float and last for weeks, usually with gas, bloating, and fatigue due to fat malabsorption.
Boil. Boiling kills all types of germs, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites (like Cryptosporidium and Giardia). To kill germs, bring clear water to a rolling boil for 1 minute. At elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes.
These are the most common symptoms: Diarrhea. Loose or watery stools.
Common parasitic drugs include:
A certified water filter designed for parasites, such as a 1-micron absolute filter, or a tested reverse osmosis system, also works very well. UV purifiers are another option, as they inactivate the DNA of parasites and prevent them from reproducing.
As a rule of thumb, it's wise to clean and sponge filters every two weeks. But if your flow is dropping off considerably after only a week it will be worth establishing whether your filter is large enough to cope with the job.
The 20-minute rule in cleaning is where you take on a cleaning task for 20 minutes and then have a break. It's as simple as that! Also known as the 20/10 rule, it's recommended that you take a 10-minute break after your cleaning blast.
If safety or water quality is your main concern, consider purchasing a filtration system. When public drinking water is compromised in some way because of catastrophic events, such as severe flooding, or improperly monitored and treated as in Flint, Michigan, bottled water becomes necessary.
The only definitive way to know if you have a parasite is through medical testing. Because parasitic symptoms overlap heavily with other conditions, you cannot self-diagnose. If you suspect an infection—especially after recent travel or raw food consumption—consult a doctor for proper screening.
Common Symptoms: Be vigilant for symptoms associated with contaminated water, including gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, stomach cramps), nausea, vomiting, respiratory problems, skin irritation, fatigue, or any unusual health symptoms.
Not only a killer parasite, but one of the world's biggest killers, the malaria parasite is responsible for around 600,000 deaths a year.
Common Features of Giardia Parasite Stool
Stool may look shiny or slick and may leave residue in the toilet bowl. The smell is often described as sulfur-like or much stronger than usual. Excess fat makes stool lighter, causing it to float.
Bacterial and viral infection
Contaminated food and fluids are common sources of bacterial infections. Rotavirus, norovirus, and other kinds of viral gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as “stomach flu,” are among the viruses that can cause explosive diarrhea. Anyone can get these viruses.
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of giardiasis include frequent, loose, pale, greasy stools (often foul smelling), with gas, bloating, cramps, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Fever is usually not present, and many people infected with Giardia may have no symptoms at all.
Symptoms of Parasitic Infections
Chagas disease is often called a silent killer because it can go unnoticed for years, even decades, before causing life-threatening complications. It's caused by a parasite carried by a group of blood-sucking insects commonly known as kissing bugs, because of their tendency to bite people around their mouths.
Are Parasites in My Drinking Water? It is unlikely that there are infective organisms in your drinking water, especially if your tap water comes from a large, municipal source. In fact, Giardia and Cryptosporidium are specifically regulated in municipal water systems and are not typically an issue.