"Terrorism and Our Water Supplies:

There are many possible toxic biological organisms as well as chemical substances of concern. The US EPA, along with the CDC, state administrators, and the American Water Works Association, are already working with water utilities to increase their vigilance over source water investigations, security measures, and analyses to make sure that they can detect such agents. The first defense against this potential health threat is in the hands of water utility management and their central treatment processes and analytical procedures.

Distillation, RO, UV, and fine filtration units may provide additional protection barriers against many of these agents.  For example, anthrax spores are two to six microns in size, similar to protozoan cysts. Products tested and certified for their effectiveness in cyst reduction likely would effectively reduce anthrax. Many biological organisms are inactivated by heat in a POU distillation unit. Similarly, ultraviolet light disrupts the reproduction mechanism in microorganisms, rendering them inactive.  Regarding chemical agents, RO units and carbon filters may reject or absorb these toxic compounds, although they may not have been specifically tested for a particular chemical.

Some Government experts believe that many point-of-use (POU) and point-of-entry (POE) technologies such as distillation, reverse osmosis, absolute filtration, activated carbon, and ultraviolet light — especially when assembled in appropriate combinations in a water treatment system — may provide an added level of protection against biological and chemical terrorist/warfare agents in drinking water.

Once a terrorist contamination is identified, an alternate and secure source of drinking water should be used immediately. The most likely role of the POU/POE systems would be that of increased pre-event protection — prior to the awareness of contamination.


"Terrorism and Our Water Supplies: Addressing Customers' Concerns." WQA Newsfax. 2 October 2001. Water Quality Association: 3.

"POU/POE and Bioterrorism Revisited." WQA Newsfax. 17 April 2002. Water Quality Association: 2.