Whole house water filtration system to prevent MAC & NTM

Well hi there, you just through a spanner in the works haha.
I just looked up ultrafiltration. It sounds promising. I can’t believe what you paid for it!!!!
I watched some u tube videos on it. Interesting 🧐

Threw a spanner in the works!

This is what I’ve read.
Yes, ultrafiltration (UF) systems are highly effective at removing mycobacteria, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The small pore size of UF membranes (0.01 to 0.1 μm) effectively traps bacteria, including mycobacteria, preventing them from passing through. ScienceDirect.com reports that UF systems can achieve complete and safe removal of bacteria, including mycobacteria,.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov) notes that slow sand filtration is more efficient than rapid sand filtration in removing mycobacteria, suggesting that filtration in general, and ultrafiltration in particular, is effective against these bacteria.
ScienceDirect.com
ScienceDirect.com also supports the effectiveness of UF in removing mycobacteria.
However, it's important to note that:
Membrane Integrity:
The effectiveness of UF depends on the integrity of the membrane. Damaged or fouled membranes can compromise their ability to remove bacteria.
Biofilms:
Some bacteria, including certain mycobacteria, can form biofilms on surfaces, potentially interfering with the filtration process.
Pretreatment:
Pretreatment steps, such as UV sterilization, can enhance the performance of UF by inactivating or removing certain bacteria.
Maintenance:
Regular maintenance and cleaning of UF systems are crucial to ensure their continued effectiveness

Yeah, that happened to me too!! I got the idea from a post on this site. Their customer service is amazing and if you watch the videos, you can see the tubing just clicks in. My plumber asked me how much the replacement cartridges were and when I told him (I think $89 for the 4?-don't quote me), he was shocked.
The nice thing about it is that dissolved minerals go through the UF, so it tastes good. Highly recommend. Just an FYI: The final filter is activated carbon, so just run the tap for a bit until the carbon fines clear-maybe a minute or 2. Easy peasy.

It all sounds great. My only question is about the granulated carbon filter because it is known that this type of filter can harbour and promote NTM bacteria?

Chatgpt does not agree regarding ultrafiltration. This is what it says. Who knows what is right?

Can Ultrafiltration Remove NTM?
Ultrafiltration pore sizes range from 0.01 to 0.1 microns.
NTM bacteria vary in size but can be as small as 0.2–0.6 microns, sometimes even smaller in cell wall-deficient forms.

⚠️ Conclusion: While UF may reduce NTM populations, it's not guaranteed to eliminate them completely due to their small size and biofilm-forming nature.

✅ Better Options for NTM Control:
Reverse Osmosis (RO): Pore sizes ~0.0001 microns → very effective at removing bacteria and other pathogens.

UV Disinfection: Kills NTM with high enough dose, but less effective on organisms protected within biofilms.

Point-of-Use Filters: 0.2 micron absolute-rated filters (used in hospitals) can trap most NTM.

Thermal Disinfection: Some systems use hot water flushing (≥70°C) to kill biofilm-associated bacteria.

🛠 Recommendation:
If you're concerned about NTM, use a combination of:

Reverse osmosis for drinking water
Point-of-use 0.2-micron filters for faucets/showers
Regular system flushing and maintenance

These, you can't clean but replace when the volumetric rate of water slows down through the tap. This is caused by a buildup and for sure could be biological build up. But if that were to happens, the obvious solution is-time to change the filters. As for the effectiveness of the filter-that's true. I feel that way about everything. Anything can fail. I particularly think that way about pulmonary function testing. If those filters fail-YUK!

Yes. I covered the entire house. It makes it more difficult if u have a center island water faucet away from refrigerator. So I put the reverse osmosis system under the sink. I take water from RO in glass bottle and keep in refrigerator. I also have high TSD so wanted the RO to get rid of that at same time. The cupboard above the refrigerator has filter system installed with .1 micron filter so the ice and the water from refrigerator has no bacteria. So if u do not care about RO you can actually get the filtration system installed above refrigerator so water feeds thru filter into refrigerator. In the garage I got UVC nano light 254N Which alters DNA of the bacteria before it gets to your shower heads and water heaters. Since we do not know where the source is whether water or soil and I have swimming pool I also bought a 254 UVC light for swimming pool. This will make sure no mycobacterium will live in my pool from any dirt. My pool circulates constantly and UVC light has also made water crystal clean. Before I did this, I had my water testing in my pool, outside jacuzzi , kitchen sink and from shower head. No mycobacterium was detected by PCR testing. Hard to find a lab. I sent my water to lab that specializes in it in Kentucky! I had Leaf Home do the RO, filters above refrigerator and UVC light in garage. It is MUCH cheaper to do it this way vs your entire home . U can get ur pool company to install UVC light if u have a pool

Thank you, this is even more to consider and sounds promising. How often do you need to change the globes? Did you notice a spike in electricity bill? I like this idea thank you for posting!

I believe the concern is that the shower head holds water leaving moisture behind all the time and not able to dry out therefore will build up mold, bacteria.......if not dried out to keep it from forming bacteria. The temperature of the water helps if the shower head is kept clean or changed out every few months and a new one is installed. Some suggest buying an inexpensive shower head and change it every six months.....or not having a shower head and letting the water flow from the pipe without a shower head.