Bacteria Removal in Water and Juice Filtration

For water and juice applications, contamination with bacteria can be a significant problem, affecting safety, quality as well and shelf stability. For those who run a bottling line or a processing plant, choosing a suitable process filtration technology can be a deciding factor. This blog outlines proven techniques for aseptic elimination of microbial contaminants as well as actionable steps for maintaining product quality at each stage.

If not filtered out effectively, harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia Oocyst in water can create numerous health risks.

In juices, spoilage organisms such as Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris are tougher to eliminate and can survive standard pasteurization, producing off-flavors or cloudiness. Introducing filtration in your process offers a clean, reliable way to prevent these issues, without altering the final product or relying heavily on chemical treatments.

For product owners, it’s also a matter of compliance. Filters used in drinking water systems must meet a variety of legislation depending on geographic location, such as NSF/ANSI, UK/DWI Regulation 10, EU-10/2020/2184, and ACS standards, while juice processing must follow hygiene principles such as HACCP.  Installing long-lasting, easy-to-maintain filtration systems, and integrating them into your process ensures compliance, safety, and product integrity across various production conditions.

At its core, filtration works by physically removing bacteria through a barrier, usually through a membrane. These membranes are designed with microscopic pores that trap unwanted microorganisms as liquid passes through. The level of removal depends on the pore size, the type of filter material, and the system’s configuration. Different filtration technologies are better suited to different needs. Let's take a look at some examples: 

Deciding which solution works best depends on how the filtered water will be used: drinking, rinsing, or as part of food or beverage processing. Each scenario comes with its own hygiene benchmarks to meet. 

In addition to the filter itself, cleanliness needs to be preserved at every stage. Compressed air, transfer lines, and tanks must all be clean. Inline steam sterilization and sterile air filters can help with it. 

Atlas Copco offers sterile air filters, high-performance membrane cartridges, and validated filtration systems designed for bottled water and juice processing. These solutions support microbial safety while maintaining reliable flow and system performance.

• SMT-G for tank venting and ensuring sterility
• PFP-A⁺ for pre filtration and membrane protection
• PFP-C⁺ specifically for the challenge of removing Cryptosporidium and Giardia Oocyst
• SME⁺ for cold filtration and final bottling applications for a safe, microorganism-free product
  

• Change filters on schedule: Don’t wait for signs of failure. Follow the change intervals set by the manufacturer to keep performance consistent.
• Use proper cleaning agents: Clean-in-place (CIP) with sodium hypochlorite or peroxyacetic acid, as they can prevent biofilm and bacterial buildup.
• Run integrity tests: Especially in juice applications, it is important to confirm that the sterile filters are functioning as expected.
• Watch for pressure shifts: A steady rise in differential pressure usually signals fouling, which can compromise efficiency.

Filtering out bacteria in water and juice isn’t just about safety, it’s also about preserving flavor, meeting compliance goals, and building consumer confidence. At Atlas Copco, we offer filtration solutions that are engineered for microbial safety, beverage-grade compliance, and system reliability. Our process filtration solutions help beverage producers and water bottlers maintain the high hygiene standards without compromising efficiency. Contact our filtration expert to know more.