Waterheater at 130 means no need for filters, showered changes etc?!

Posted by thorne @thorne, Jan 31, 2023

I had an email exchange with Dr Falkinham (the scientist who does all the work on exposure to NTM, especially in water sources) asking whether raising the temperature of the home water heater meant you do not have to use special filters or shower heads. As much as I have read this (and the NTM) forums, I did not understand the answer to this. It seems like so many people on here are only doing tub baths (me) or buying special and replacing special filters or shower heads. His reply is below and would indicate that we don't need to make any of those other changes if we raise our water heater temperature to 130 or above. This seems like such as easy fix compared to all of the other undertakings.

Dear Tamara:

Thank you for your reply and request for further information.

In a study of Philadelphia suburb patients, we discovered that raising the water heater temperature setting to 130 F or higher led to the disappearance of Mycobacterium avium from samples of household water, including showerheads.

That might surprise some as a showerhead will be delivering both heater (hot) and unheated water (cold). Yes, the source of water from the water heater is cold water, but in most municipalities the water delivered to homes has low numbers of NTM. My colleagues and I believe that the water heater is where NTM grow and are mixed with the cold.

We haven't tested "tank-less" or "instant" water-heaters, but logic suggests there should be no growth of NTM, as those water heaters don't have a large tank.

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

@sueinmn

I had my municipal water tested (it comes from deep wells) and it is MAC-free. I guess I am a belt-or-suspenders person, so I rely on the 135F water heater and my test results. I don't soak, nor do I worry about soaking, sterilizing, etc.
Yes, MAC is in the soil, so I do take precautions in the garden, with masks or using help to handle digging, mulch, etc.
So fr this had=s served me well for 44 months and I have avoided becoming reinfected.
Sue

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You're lucky your water comes from a well! That is great. Question: How did you get your water tested?

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@davis5663

You're lucky your water comes from a well! That is great. Question: How did you get your water tested?

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Sent away for a water test kit - but I can no longer find the company on line. Took the samples according to their instructions and sent in - about a month later the results were returned.
Sue

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@sueinmn

Sent away for a water test kit - but I can no longer find the company on line. Took the samples according to their instructions and sent in - about a month later the results were returned.
Sue

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No, not the same company, but if I was looking for a water test today, I would try them.
Sue

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@sueinmn

I had my municipal water tested (it comes from deep wells) and it is MAC-free. I guess I am a belt-or-suspenders person, so I rely on the 135F water heater and my test results. I don't soak, nor do I worry about soaking, sterilizing, etc.
Yes, MAC is in the soil, so I do take precautions in the garden, with masks or using help to handle digging, mulch, etc.
So fr this had=s served me well for 44 months and I have avoided becoming reinfected.
Sue

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hello Sue, please tell us what you do not soak or sterilize, nebulizer? Aerobika?

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@2019mc

hello Sue, please tell us what you do not soak or sterilize, nebulizer? Aerobika?

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Oh, no, it just means I don't worry about showering in or drinking my water. Since MAC and other bacteria could get into my nebulizer or Aerobika from my lungs, I wash thoroughly in hot soapy water after every use and boil in a saucepan every week.
Sue

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