Has anyone had their home water supply tested for MAC/NTM ?

Posted by Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn, Apr 15, 2019

Since there have been several discussions lately about whether people get MAC infections from their shower or drinking water, I am curious whether anyone in this group has had their water, soil and/or the "biofilm" in the water pipes and drains tested for the presence of MAC? Either as part of a study or by an independent lab? If so, what were the results, and what did it cost?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

poppins | @poppins | Apr 15, 2019

Home Depot gives away a FREE water test that you send in today. I will keep you posted on the results.

cmcclure | @cmcclure | Apr 15, 2019

There is a greart study that i used to win a case it was done in japan ( the japs are afraid of this bug for sure ans so is china so US is goin to let them do the hard work first) anyways the test was done in hospital and the paople with this bug had it in there bathroom the people that treated them didn't have it in theres. SO where does it come from blah blah blah one study cited the frather yoiu are away form the water tower the more of this bacteria will be in you water supply ( i also used this study to prove it dint come from my water supply as the water tower was in my back yard not less than 100 feet away.)

Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Apr 15, 2019

In reply to @poppins "Home Depot gives away a FREE water test that you send in today. I will keep..." + (show)

@poppins Will they test specifically for mac and similar microbes?

Terri Martin, Volunteer Mentor | @windwalker | Apr 15, 2019

@sueinmn There is a lab that will test for mac specifically. Last I checked, it cost $150.00. I have that lab name posted on the Discussion board. I have it written down at home, but I am out of town at the moment. I believe it was called Specialty Lab.

dulwich | @dulwich | Apr 16, 2019

I had my water tested recently at Special Pathogens Laboratory in Pittsburgh. Several water samples were negative but one came back with a lot of Mycobacteria, some of which they thought were Gordonae( from the shape and color of the culture colony) which is not usually pathogenic, although noticed another post about a member being infected with this
The lab will only tell you whether the mycobacteria are present or not. I am waiting to hear my final results on sputum culture testing - if it is something unusual, I might get the next level of testing to ID the bugs- the lab has to send it elsewhere for an extra charge
In the meantime, I am assuming that the water supply is generally contaminated and looking into putting water filters on one shower and the kitchen faucet. Pall Homecare provides filters that last about two months but this is a pricey option
Hope this information is helpful

Jennifer | @megan123 | Apr 17, 2019

In reply to @dulwich "I had my water tested recently at Special Pathogens Laboratory in Pittsburgh. Several water samples were..." + (show)

@dulwich....Palls charged app $240 for 2 filters that last 4 months..you stop using when they start to get plugged up and water doesn't go thru properly...I out on kitchen tap...also depends on how frequently you use tap...there are just two of us. Filter is lasting longer as it is not plugging up yet...you will know when 2 change it...Depends on how many people are living in house and frequency of usage....

sayaboleh | @sayaboleh | Apr 19, 2019

I am seeing a lot of discussion about shower heads and the water supply and was curious about how much danger it poses. It seems to be that it is less of an issue if you already have MAC. Does it make it worse if you shower and get sprayed with aerosolized water? I just saw Dr. Huitt's presentation and she seemed to think that misters are to be blamed and that Florida should really ban those things.
Mary