Taharmayim was tested in the labs of the SII Standards Institution of Israel (SII) and it conforms to the European standard for water disinfection number EN12931:2008 http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/40025/1/European_standards_for_drinking-water.pdf.
In a recent CDC study, the detection of E. coli in over half of filter backwash samples indicates that swimmers frequently introduced fecal material into pools and thus might transmit infectious pathogens to others. The risk for transmission and recreational water illness (RWI) increases if swimmers introduce feces when ill with diarrhea. In addition to minimizing the amount of fecal material introduced into recreational water, Nitrogen in urine and sweat depletes free chlorine by combining with it to form di- and tri-chloramines, which are volatile respiratory and ocular irritants; free chlorine alone, at CDC-recommended concentrations, is not an ocular irritant. This study and others indicate that swimmers frequently introduce fecal material, microbes, urine, sweat, and other contaminants into recreational water. Another study suggests that disinfectant level and pH frequently are not properly maintained.
No, Taharmayim water purification tablets are based on sodium dichloroisocyanurate.
You can do either, but if you are storing for many years, you might want to use the water purification tablets before you drink the water. Every situation is different and the use will depend on the quality of the water, how it is stored and for how long.
Yes, they are certified kosher by the Chief Rabbinate and inspection of the plant is daily. Taharmayim is comprised of chemicals and minerals and do not have anything of animal origin.
ccording to the CDC: After an emergency, especially after flooding, drinking water may not be available or safe to drink for personal use. As a result, residents may have to find a source of safe drinking water or know how to treat their water for use in certain activities, such as drinking, making ice, washing hands, and brushing teeth. Also, during and after an emergency, the regular flow of goods, water and food may be disrupted.
Relying on rainwater can be problematic. According to the CDC:While useful for many things, rainwater is not as pure as you might think, so you can’t assume it’s safe to drink. Rain can wash different types of contaminants into the water you collect (for example, bird poop on your roof could end up in your water barrel or tank). Rainwater can carry bacteria, parasites, viruses, and chemicals that could make you sick, and it has been linked to disease outbreaks. Read more at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/rainwater-collection.html.