How can the pollution of water by E. coli be prevented?
We can never completely prevent E. Coli pollution, though we could reduce it. We would need to review and revise our current farming practices – since a large percent of E. Coli contamination comes from farming (i.e. fertilizer and animal waste). We also need to ensure that our city sanitary systems are perfect and removes all of the E. Coli in the waste water stream. To kill bacteria in water most water treatment plants use a combination of filtration, chlorination and UV radiation. The filtration isn’t very successful in removing E. Coli, chlorination will typically kill 97 to 99% of bacteria in the water, and the ultraviolet (UV) radiation is used to kill off any remaining E. Coli.
