DRINK UP! THE WATER CAN BE FINE
This is the water filtration system in our Mexico Casa
Everyone has heard a story of polluted water in Mexico. Visitors returning with exposure to several diseases and often suffering with serious stomach disorders.
Mexico City has an insufficient sewage system which makes the city's tap water filthy and relegates millions to disease.
Water supply and sanitation has become more of a concern over the years due to a dwindling supply of drinkable water and a rise in water pollution in many parts of the world. Mexico has been hit hard by this growing concern. In addition to the unsightly appearance, is the unnatural taste of the water, often heavily chlorinated and metallic. However, it’s the unseen dangers that create the biggest problem. The dangers you can’t see, taste or smell.
The dangers of unclean water
E.coli, Giardia, Chlorea, Typhoid Fever are just some of the dangers of drinking unsanitary, dirty water. Giardia, a common waterborne contaminant in Mexico and around the world, causes symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, malaise, and unhealthy weight loss. It doesn’t stop there. Some of the potential symptoms of dysentery (another common water contaminant) are fever, intense stomach pain, and rapid weight loss. This information isn’t provided to keep you from drinking tap water or worse yet to switch to bottled water (which has numerous environment concerns on its own). On the contrary, this information is provided to point you in the right direction of eliminating/greatly reducing these problems. The solution: filters.
Here are the two systems Filters Fast recommends:
The Pentek 160168 1" BBFS-222 consists of three 20" Big Blue Houseings that come mounted and assembled on a hanging bracket. Filters and hardware sold seperately. The BBFS-222 can be used in many residential as well as commerical applications. Part number 160168 also includes a built-in pressure relief valve to make changing your filter easy.
Pentek 160168 1" BBFS-222BBFS-222--- $241.95
The Pentek 160168, BBFS222 Specifications:
Mexico City has an insufficient sewage system which makes the city's tap water filthy and relegates millions to disease.
Water supply and sanitation has become more of a concern over the years due to a dwindling supply of drinkable water and a rise in water pollution in many parts of the world. Mexico has been hit hard by this growing concern. In addition to the unsightly appearance, is the unnatural taste of the water, often heavily chlorinated and metallic. However, it’s the unseen dangers that create the biggest problem. The dangers you can’t see, taste or smell.
The dangers of unclean water
E.coli, Giardia, Chlorea, Typhoid Fever are just some of the dangers of drinking unsanitary, dirty water. Giardia, a common waterborne contaminant in Mexico and around the world, causes symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, malaise, and unhealthy weight loss. It doesn’t stop there. Some of the potential symptoms of dysentery (another common water contaminant) are fever, intense stomach pain, and rapid weight loss. This information isn’t provided to keep you from drinking tap water or worse yet to switch to bottled water (which has numerous environment concerns on its own). On the contrary, this information is provided to point you in the right direction of eliminating/greatly reducing these problems. The solution: filters.
Here are the two systems Filters Fast recommends:
The Pentek 160168 1" BBFS-222 consists of three 20" Big Blue Houseings that come mounted and assembled on a hanging bracket. Filters and hardware sold seperately. The BBFS-222 can be used in many residential as well as commerical applications. Part number 160168 also includes a built-in pressure relief valve to make changing your filter easy.
Pentek 160168 1" BBFS-222BBFS-222--- $241.95
The Pentek 160168, BBFS222 Specifications:
- Connections: 1" NPT
- Dimmensions: 23 1/4" x 8 1/2" x 26 1/2"
- Max Pressure: 90 psi
- Flow Rate: up to 40 GPM (based on filters used)
Filters needed for setup and replacement (to be installed in this order):
- (first) Pentek DGD-5005-20 https://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-DGD-5005-20-dual-grad-filter.asp
- (second) Pentek RFC20BB https://www.filtersfast.com/Pentek-RFC-20BB-water-filters.asp
- (last) Watts IF-SM-KDF020B https://www.filtersfast.com/P-Watts-IF-SM-KDF020B-KDF-GAC-Big-Blue-Filter.asp
- For bacteria removal (to be installed after above system):
- Pura 15710100 (first lamp included) https://www.filtersfast.com/P-Pura-15710100-UV20-1-Ultraviolet-Water-Filter.asp
- PURA 36002018 Replacement Lamp https://www.filtersfast.com/PURA-36002018-UV-Filter-Lamp.asp
The Pentek 160168 1" BBFS-222
Pura 15710100- UV20-1 Ultraviolet - 10 GPM 110v15710100--- $331.99
Aqua-Pure APUV2 (first lamp included) https://www.filtersfast.com/P-Aqua-Pure-APUV2-Residential-UV-System-5605802.asp Aqua-Pure 5605833 Replacement Lamp https://www.filtersfast.com/P-AquaPure-5605833-Replacement-Bulb-Lamp-APUV2-System.asp Other replacement parts https://www.filtersfast.com/search/go?w=APUV2+&asug=&view=list&submit1.x=15&submit1.y=20
UV water filter systems The UV (ultraviolet) rays penetrate harmful pathogens in the water supply to eliminate illness-causing microorganisms (bacteria). UV filters have many advantages such as not adding any chemical taste or odor to the water, extremely effective at eliminating disease-causing microorganisms, and requires low maintenance. The disadvantages are that it is not enough to purify water for drinking water applications. The UV radiation is only effective for treating viruses and bacteria but not contaminants such as heavy metals, chlorine, and VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). They are often paired with Reverse Osmosis Systems to provide a complete purification process.
Reverse Osmosis Systems (or RO Systems) are a very popular method for water purification. Reverse Osmosis is a process in which dissolved inorganic solids (salts, for example) are removed from a solution such as water. This is accomplished by household water pressure pushing tap water through a semi permeable membrane. The membrane allows only the water to pass through, not the contaminants or impurities. RO Systems will remove particles and impurities larger than .001 microns resulting in purified water safe for drinking consumption. This system could go under your kitchen sink. The main disadvantage of using an RO System is that it removes the water of all minerals, even the ones our bodies require for good health.
Whole House filters are a very popular POE filter system to be used for water purification. There are numerous filters that can go into a whole house filter, but the most common filters used are sediment filters and carbon filters. Carbon filters can be in GAC (Granular Activated Carbon), Carbon block, or mixed media, and is used for chlorine taste & odor, bad taste, organic compounds and some chemicals. Sediment filters can be made of cellulose or be fully synthetic and will filter particulates down to a set micron rating. They can be used for scale, rust particles, dirt, sand, and silt. The three types of sediment filters are pleated, string wound, and polyprolene. An illustration of the three filters can be found below. The main disadvantage of a whole house filtration system can be both cost and repair should something go wrong. However, if maintenance is kept up with regularly, problems will be a rare occurrence.
Reverse Osmosis Systems (or RO Systems) are a very popular method for water purification. Reverse Osmosis is a process in which dissolved inorganic solids (salts, for example) are removed from a solution such as water. This is accomplished by household water pressure pushing tap water through a semi permeable membrane. The membrane allows only the water to pass through, not the contaminants or impurities. RO Systems will remove particles and impurities larger than .001 microns resulting in purified water safe for drinking consumption. This system could go under your kitchen sink. The main disadvantage of using an RO System is that it removes the water of all minerals, even the ones our bodies require for good health.
Whole House filters are a very popular POE filter system to be used for water purification. There are numerous filters that can go into a whole house filter, but the most common filters used are sediment filters and carbon filters. Carbon filters can be in GAC (Granular Activated Carbon), Carbon block, or mixed media, and is used for chlorine taste & odor, bad taste, organic compounds and some chemicals. Sediment filters can be made of cellulose or be fully synthetic and will filter particulates down to a set micron rating. They can be used for scale, rust particles, dirt, sand, and silt. The three types of sediment filters are pleated, string wound, and polyprolene. An illustration of the three filters can be found below. The main disadvantage of a whole house filtration system can be both cost and repair should something go wrong. However, if maintenance is kept up with regularly, problems will be a rare occurrence.
Reverse Osmosis
- Pentek RO-2500 (filters included for setup) https://www.filtersfast.com/search/go?w=reverse+osmosis&view=list&submit1.x=0&submit1.y=0
The Baja suffers from some of these maladies but they appear manageable. Obviously, the secret is a quality waste treatment system. REFER TO #3 WASTE TREATMENT Otherwise pollution is allowed to flow on ground surfaces and create possible health hazards for your water supply.
For more information concerning other options- refer to Baja Escape E-Book.
