What is E.Coli?
Published August 19, 2011 | 
Mark from Ontario asks:
What is E.Coli? Everyone says it’s bad and I’ve heard of Walkerton where it killed a bunch of people in the water but what exactly is it?
Thanks for writing in.
E.Coli is a rod shaped bacteria that is usually found in the intestines of warm blooded animals, including humans. Here is a picture of what they look like under a microscope:
There are many strains of e.coli, not all of them dangerous. In fact, the strain of e.coli in your gut does two good things for you. It produces vitamin K which aids in blood coagulation, and it also crowds out other pathogens that may try to infect you.
Other strains of E.Coli aren’t so good for you. Some found in barn animals like pigs, cows, sheep, etc., can make you sick. They tend to cause gut issues including diarrhea. Some strains can be deadly, like the bacteria that invaded the water mains of Walkerton Ontario, killing 7 and making many more sick, some forever with kidney issues.
E.Coli comes directly from fecal contamination. What this means is that it’s important to wash produce in clean water thoroughly before consuming it. Also, ensure you fully cook meat before consuming. When you are done preparing your food, ensure you wipe down your preparation surface with a good disinfectant cleaner to eliminate any traces of e.coli or other.
I hope that helps.
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Posted in disinfection, Drinking Water, health, microorganisms, question | 
bacteria, coliform, contamination, e.coli, fecal, what is e.coliResponse on Water Softeners, Discussed
Published November 17, 2008 | Pau from California left a comment on the article Electronic Water Softeners – Misconception and Misdirection posted on November 10th. He writes:
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Posted in disinfection, Drinking Water, health, microorganisms, question | bacteria, coliform, contamination, e.coli, fecal, what is e.coli
Thank you for leaving the comment, Pau.
It is true that no one needs a water softener. Hard water is an aesthetic concern only, and indeed does have health benefits to the user in the form of higher levels of needed minerals. I encourage anyone who is considering having a softener installed instead purchase more soap, and live with hard water.
California must have very hard water for the softeners to have that high of an effect on chlorides in natural water tables. I do not know much of the hydrogeology of California. I do understand that the water tables in most of the United States have dropped significantly, concentrating much of the naturally occuring (and some not so naturally occuring) contaminants in the water.
I am familiar with the hydrogeology where I’m from. The majority of chlorides and sodium come from the practice of road salting. Indeed, one of our well sites is experiencing elevated sodium that can be traced directly back to a salt storage yard upstream of it. We have corrected that by building a new and leak proof storage shed.
I do agree that softeners are a waste of water, due to their regeneration cycles. I would comment though, that the way we use water in general is wasteful. Our bathing practices, washing practices and industrial use of water is very high. Even our low flow toilets use three times more water in one flush than the average third world African does in a day.
In closing, I agree that there is no need for water softeners. I would argue that stopping the use of water softeners is only a small step to reducing water waste and contamination of water supplies, but it is a step in the right direction.