
Clean water from your municipal water supply is regulated and safe to drink. However, some contaminants make it into your home from septic systems, chemical spills and illegal dumping.
Bacteria and viruses cause waterborne diseases like cholera, giardiasis and methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome). High levels of nitrates can also lead to serious illness, especially in low-income communities that live closest to industrial sources of pollution. Visit Site for more information.
Coliform Bacteria
Coliform bacteria are organisms commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and humans. They don’t cause illness in themselves, but their presence indicates that there is a chance of pathogenic (disease-producing) organisms in the water supply. The presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water often indicates that the water is contaminated by fecal waste, particularly from animal feedlots and dairies, septic systems or poorly constructed wells.
When you send a sample of your water to a lab, it will most likely be tested for total coliforms and also possibly for fecal coliforms and E. coli, depending on the method the lab uses to test your water. The fecal coliform group of bacteria are sub-groups of the total coliform group that appear in large quantities in fecal matter. The presence of fecal coliforms in your water sample suggests that the contamination may have occurred recently.
The concentration of fecal coliforms is hard to predict because they are living organisms that grow rapidly in favorable environmental conditions and die in large numbers when those conditions aren’t present. High concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria can be caused by runoff from urban areas, or when high amounts of sediment wash into streams and lakes during a storm. These bacteria can also be spread by dog, cat and raccoon waste that is carried into surface waters by fast-running water. Giardia is another water contaminant that comes from fecal waste and leads to gastrointestinal problems, as well as Legionella, which causes a respiratory infection called legionnaire’s disease.
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidiosis is a dangerous microorganism that can cause diarrhoea and may be fatal in babies and people with weak immune systems. This parasite is found in human and animal faeces and spreads when people touch contaminated water and then put their hands near their mouth. It can also be spread by sharing food and drinks, such as bottled water or milk. Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include watery diarrhea, cramps, nausea and fatigue.
Most public water systems use groundwater as their source of drinking water, but surface water sources like rivers and lakes are vulnerable to contamination with Cryptosporidium. This is because the water can be contaminated by faeces and by oocysts (spores) from infected animals. Oocysts are resistant to chlorine treatment, so they must be removed through filtration.
Water system operators are required to test their water for cryptosporidium on a regular basis, and they must be able to detect any potential problems quickly. They must also keep their filtration systems operating at optimal levels to prevent breakdowns that allow this pathogen to enter the system.
The good news is that most people with healthy immune systems can fight off a Cryptosporidiosis infection within a few weeks. They can take a few preventative measures, such as boiling their water for one minute before drinking it and washing their clothes and towels on hot cycles. They can also drink plenty of fluids and make sure to rest so their bodies can recover.
Giardia
The Giardia parasite causes giardiasis, an intestinal illness that results in diarrhea. It is a waterborne illness, which means it can be caught by drinking infected water. It can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces or objects. Anyone can get infected with Giardia, but the risk is higher for infants and children, people with weakened immune systems, and travelers who drink untreated or improperly treated water.
Giardia can be found in lakes, rivers, streams, springs, ponds, and swimming holes that are not treated with chlorine. Giardia can even contaminate public pools that don’t have a filtering system. You can avoid getting sick from Giardia by boiling your water for three to five minutes. Use boiled water for brushing teeth, making ice, washing food that will not be cooked, and for making baby formula and coffee (but not for making tea because the heat is not hot enough to kill Giardia). You can also purchase a portable water filter at home or for travel to remove Giardia.
Water contamination often comes from chemicals, but these aren’t always dangerous to humans. Some, like aluminum, only pose a mild health risk for patients who undergo dialysis. Others, like iron, can cause clogs in pipes and a metallic taste in the water. Other chemicals, such as those that lead to algal blooms in lakes and other marine environments, suck oxygen away from animals, leading to dead zones.
Legionella
The Legionella bacteria is very dangerous when it grows in water. It is a bacterium that causes Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. It thrives in warm water and has a high risk of infection from showers, hot tubs, water-based cooling systems, and fountains. The bacteria can also enter the air and be inhaled by those around it, causing extreme lung infections.
Gray water is easier to recycle and treat than sewage because it has fewer organic solids in it. But it can still cause problems if it’s not disposed of properly. For example, if too much chlorine is added to the water, it can create toxic chlorine compounds known as trihalomethanes, which are carcinogenic and can lead to health problems such as asthma, bronchitis, skin rashes, and pinkeye. These chemicals can also affect ecosystems by removing oxygen from lakes and oceans, resulting in dead zones where aquatic life cannot survive.
The best way to avoid Legionella is to regularly flush low-use fixtures and unused piping in your home. Then, keep water temperatures well below the optimum growth temperature for Legionella. This can be accomplished by insulating pipes, and by performing regular water tests as specified by your water management program. Also, be sure to use sterile water in respiratory equipment such as CPAPs and heater-cooler units and empty and clean tanks on humidifiers daily. This will help to prevent the growth of Legionella and other harmful organisms.
Arsenic
Arsenic is found naturally in some rocks and soil, and it can get into water. It is a very toxic metal that can cause cancers and other health issues. It can also lead to heart disease and respiratory problems. People are exposed to arsenic by drinking contaminated water, eating food prepped with contaminated water, and from the use of contaminated water to irrigate crops. Arsenic can be absorbed through the skin as well.
Most of the time, arsenic gets into drinking water from natural rock formations that dissolve it and carry it into underground aquifers, rivers or lakes that may be used for drinking water. It can also come from mining and smelting arsenic-containing ores. It can also be released into the air from volcanic eruptions. Arsenic in groundwater can contaminate drinking water by combining with organic carbon to form inorganic arsenic compounds like monomethylarsonic acid, orpiment, and Paris Green (CH3AsO(OH)2).
Some people are more at risk for exposure to arsenic than others. These include people with low socioeconomic status, and those living in southwestern states where concentrations of arsenic are high in private wells. Inhaling inorganic arsenic can lead to a sore throat and irritated lungs, while long-term exposure to lower concentrations can cause skin effects. It can also interfere with normal fetal development. SRP centers have worked with affected communities to encourage private well testing and provide information about the impact of arsenic in drinking water.
Fluoride
Fluoride (F-) is an inorganic anion that naturally occurs in minerals including phosphate and fluorite. It also is released in water by volcanoes and is found in most seawater and most groundwater. It is added to some drinking water supplies because it protects dental health, reduces tooth decay and helps children develop strong teeth. The CDC recommends an amount of 0.7 mg/L. Some research has linked excessive fluoride intake with skeletal fluorosis, which causes splinter-like bones in the joints and limbs. This risk is rare with community fluoridated water, however, and it is not considered to outweigh its dental benefits.
Chlorine is a disinfectant that is used by many municipal water systems to control microbes. It can be toxic at high levels, and when it combines with organic compounds in water, it creates harmful byproducts called trihalomethanes (TMH) and haloacetic acids (HAA). These chemicals increase the risk of cancer and other diseases, especially for infants and people with compromised immune systems.
Other dangerous contaminants in tap water include radiological substances like radium and uranium that may enter water from natural deposits or as a result of mining and drilling. Chemicals such as trichloroethylene (TCE) or polychlorinated biphenyls, which are linked to cancer and other diseases, may be present in tap water from industrial discharges or from corroded pipes.




