General Question
Is my drinking water storage method safe?
I use an RO system that is not NSF certified (I will likely replace it soon) to dispense water into a nearly sterile 5 gallon glass water bottle.
Then I place a dolphin water pump onto the top of the bottle. I take the whole apparatus and place it in an eight inch high plastic bin so when I pump the water any errant flow does not go onto the floor.
I use a glass one liter volvic water bottle, with a rubber stopper intended for drinking containers, to collect the water from the pump for drinking. I clean it with boiling water twice a week, and soap and hot water everyday. When I need water for cooking I simply pump the water directly into the intended pot, or other container for smaller amounts. When the 5 gallon bottle is empty I clean it thoroughly (but I would take advice on its sterilization as well).
The 5 gallons typically last at longest one month. During this time unfiltered air is pumped into the bottle at least seven times a week.
So, undoubtedly some amount of air contaminants must be entering my water supply.
These contaminants are the same ones that I breathe on a moment by moment basis, and in that sense are unavoidable. My concern is that in the closed moist environment there could be some risk that a pathogen may invade through the pumped in air.
Until I get a clear understanding of the precautions I need to take to avoid illness I have discontinued the use of my system, and have returned to french bottled water.
I am requesting advice about whether this is a safe set up, or if there is a better way.
Here are some things I think are relevant:
-water coolers at offices use a very similar method for displacing water, however the bottles are constantly rotated.
-I hear that refrigeration would limit the risk involved. So says the RO mfg.
Thank you for your answers!
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