Similar to the Long Term 2 Enhanced Water Treatment Rule this rule applies to small systems for providing protection against the disease-causing organism Cryptosporidium.

Cryptosporidium causes cryptosporidiosis, a gastrointestinal illness in humans, and cryptosporidiosis in other animals.

The LT1 ESWTR will apply to small water systems that use surface water or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water. This rule will protect over 600,000 customers through 265 public water systems in Pennsylvania.

There are provisions of the rule that took effect in 2002, but the main provisions officially became effective in 2005.

In addition to treating for cryptosporidium, this measure treats other waterborne, disease-causing organisms such as Giardia, a parasite that causes giardiasis, a gastrointestinal illness in humans as well as other waterborne protozoa, bacteria, and viruses. Some of the bacterial and protozoan agents that are addressed through the LT1ESWTR include Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium parvum, viruses, and Legionella sp. (Legionnaires' Disease).   

To ensure that your home is free of any microorganisms in the water supply, you may want to install a whole house filter in your kitchen.

A whole house filter can remove microbes, dirt, rust, chlorine taste, and odor from water.

A Reverse Osmosis system removes most chemicals including fluoride, arsenic, lead, chromium-6, chlorine & microorganisms down to parts per million levels.

These systems can be installed on the main pipe before it enters your house. It provides clean drinking water for all faucets, or reverse osmosis can be placed on any tap.