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Is hot water contaminated by cold water

Posted by newbird @newbird, 1 day ago

I keep my hot water heater at 140 degrees to kill MAC. Cold water does not pass through heater so presumably contains MAC. Doesn't the cold water contaminate the hot water when I mix them to make cool water? If so, then I will turn down the temperature of the hot water heater since it is expensive to keep water so hot. Thank you.

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | 1 day ago

@newbird There is some NTM in cold water, but in much smaller quantities than from the water heater. The goal is to minimize exposure since we cannot eliminate it completely.
The tank, if maintained at 130F or lower, is a great breeding ground and reservoir for the bacteria . So, we keep the temp at 135F or more because the bacteria dies. Dr Joe Falkinham has studied this and written about it extensively.

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newbird | @newbird | 1 day ago
In reply to @sueinmn "@newbird There is some NTM in cold water, but in much smaller quantities than from the..." + (show)
Profile picture for Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn

@newbird There is some NTM in cold water, but in much smaller quantities than from the water heater. The goal is to minimize exposure since we cannot eliminate it completely.
The tank, if maintained at 130F or lower, is a great breeding ground and reservoir for the bacteria . So, we keep the temp at 135F or more because the bacteria dies. Dr Joe Falkinham has studied this and written about it extensively.

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@sueinmn I appreciate your reply. I will keep the water hot. Since there is no digital read, I test water temp at the sink. Thank you!

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