1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Well Water Testing/Water Treatment Systems

Posted by lorrainewenn @lorrainewenn, Dec 27, 2023

I have been recently diagnosed with MAC lung disease, specifically MAC avium. Our home is on well and septic, and since our water is so good, we don't have any water treatment systems in place. Upon diagnosis, I had my well water tested per EPA testing protocol and our water is good. Bacteria testing yielded no E.coli, coliform, iron related bacteria, sulfate reducing bacteria. Moderate slime forming bacteria. Our water heater is set at 150 deg F.
I would like to have my water tested for MAC prior to installing a new water treatment system. Noticed that there is a lab in Pittsburg that can do this testing. One water treatment recommendation uses chlorine with activated carbon and R/O for drinking. Not sure what system to install. Greatly appreciate the help.
Lorraine

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @dorma "BOIL YOUR TAP WATER! For at least 15 minutes. This is recommended for MAC patients, but..." + (show)
@dorma

BOIL YOUR TAP WATER! For at least 15 minutes. This is recommended for MAC patients, but I was already boiling mine, since our water system is not very good.

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If your water is tested and does not contain MAC, and you keep your hot water heater at 135F, boiling is not necessary as there is no MAC to kill.
Often well water is tested and safe, and some municipal water as well. Our muni water comes from deep wells and tests as safe for NTM. We keep our water heater at 135F. In our Texas home, we are on a well and keep the water hot. I do not boil water, and have not been reinfected by drinking water or showers in 4 years.
Sue

REPLY
2 replies
jml6812 | @jml6812 | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "If your water is tested and does not contain MAC, and you keep your hot water..." + (show)
@sueinmn

If your water is tested and does not contain MAC, and you keep your hot water heater at 135F, boiling is not necessary as there is no MAC to kill.
Often well water is tested and safe, and some municipal water as well. Our muni water comes from deep wells and tests as safe for NTM. We keep our water heater at 135F. In our Texas home, we are on a well and keep the water hot. I do not boil water, and have not been reinfected by drinking water or showers in 4 years.
Sue

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I suggested this to my husband and he's worried that the high heat might blow the pressure valve on the water heater and start leaking. Have you had any trouble?

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @jml6812 "I suggested this to my husband and he's worried that the high heat might blow the..." + (show)
@jml6812

I suggested this to my husband and he's worried that the high heat might blow the pressure valve on the water heater and start leaking. Have you had any trouble?

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No problem, on either our electric or natural gas heater. We have been doing it for over 5 years.
Tell him to call a plumber and discuss it if he is worried. Residential water heaters are made to withstand operating temps up to 145 or 150 depending on the unit.
My husband does keep a close eye on the anode in case the higher temp makes it corrode faster, but so far no issue there either.
Sue

REPLY
dorma | @dorma | Dec 29, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "If your water is tested and does not contain MAC, and you keep your hot water..." + (show)
@sueinmn

If your water is tested and does not contain MAC, and you keep your hot water heater at 135F, boiling is not necessary as there is no MAC to kill.
Often well water is tested and safe, and some municipal water as well. Our muni water comes from deep wells and tests as safe for NTM. We keep our water heater at 135F. In our Texas home, we are on a well and keep the water hot. I do not boil water, and have not been reinfected by drinking water or showers in 4 years.
Sue

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I'm not trying to kill the MAC; our water system is not fit for drinking; thus the boiling, for several years now. Thanks, though.

REPLY
lilianna | @lilianna | Dec 30, 2023
In reply to @bluesplashgirl "PS - click on "Shop Tests" then click on "Biology". You will find mycobacterium test there..." + (show)
@bluesplashgirl

PS - click on "Shop Tests" then click on "Biology". You will find mycobacterium test there for $375

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thank you,
I got for Christmas the "clear shower head" made of brass which opens to clean it and dry- pricey but it is so pleasant to have a shower finally. Although I must say it is hard to open or close if you are a short person like me (5'1") so every time my husband has to help. And thank you for the tip on the "Shop Tests". This is the next thing I plan to do.

REPLY
1 reply
cwal | @cwal | Dec 31, 2023
In reply to @lilianna "thank you, I got for Christmas the "clear shower head" made of brass which opens to..." + (show)
@lilianna

thank you,
I got for Christmas the "clear shower head" made of brass which opens to clean it and dry- pricey but it is so pleasant to have a shower finally. Although I must say it is hard to open or close if you are a short person like me (5'1") so every time my husband has to help. And thank you for the tip on the "Shop Tests". This is the next thing I plan to do.

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Could you tell more info about your shower head please? Brand name? Any specs on filtration of bacterium?

REPLY
1 reply
lilianna | @lilianna | Dec 31, 2023
In reply to @cwal "Could you tell more info about your shower head please? Brand name? Any specs on filtration..." + (show)
@cwal

Could you tell more info about your shower head please? Brand name? Any specs on filtration of bacterium?

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hello cwal,
I learned about this type of a shower head on this forum. It is called Shower Clear Shower Head. I found it on Amazon- it is $255.57 but the price differs depending on where you buy it. I do not know how much my daughter paid for it. Brand: Shower Clear, style: brass; Shape:round; Material: brass. It is easy to install. It is chrome covered but made of brass so it is I would say a little bit heavy but every shower fixture is fine with it. https://www-shopshowerclear-com.myshopify.com/products/the-original-chrome-shower-head. (here it is $299.00). I hope you will find this helpful (I was saving to buy it but actually Christmas came handy).

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