With whole-house filters becoming more prevalent, I'm curious how that impacts the biological cleanliness of pipes downstream of the filter. One of the selling points of these filters is that they contain activated catalytic carbon, which the filter manufacturers claim reduces the smell and taste of chlorine in the water: the activated catalytic carbon chemically converts the chlorine to chloride, which is non-oxidizing. Of course, chlorine's ability to oxidize is what makes it an effective disinfectant and anti-microbial agent.
So my question is, how does this de-chlorination affect the cleanliness of the pipes downstream of the whole-house filter? It seems to me that the de-chlorinated water could provide an environment perfect for the growth of biofilms and dangerous bacteria like Legionella.
Has the industry even studied this potential risk? Should pipes be periodically re-sanitized (like the sanitizing process before new construction plumbing is put into service)?
So my question is, how does this de-chlorination affect the cleanliness of the pipes downstream of the whole-house filter? It seems to me that the de-chlorinated water could provide an environment perfect for the growth of biofilms and dangerous bacteria like Legionella.
Has the industry even studied this potential risk? Should pipes be periodically re-sanitized (like the sanitizing process before new construction plumbing is put into service)?
