Should You Worry about Your Water and Bacterial Contamination?
Did you know that the water you drink directly affects your health? Waterborne bacterial diseases cause between one and two million deaths every year worldwide. In Florida, almost every county has procedures in place for bacterial contamination of the public water supply. As a homeowner, it is important to know the dangers of contaminated water so that you can take the proper preventative measures against bacterial illnesses.
What is Waterborne Bacterial Disease?
Waterborne bacterial disease is simply an illness caused by bad water. The illness can be short-term or long-term, ranging from minor to severe gut issues. Typically, bad water is caused by one or more of these bacteria:
- Vibrio cholerae
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Shigella
- Campylobacter
Bacterial contamination can cause a number of symptoms, but the most common one is diarrhea. Chronic diarrhea leads to dehydration, so drinking water that causes diarrhea is actually counterproductive. Many have lost their lives to dehydration because they did not realize their diarrhea was causing it. Certain bacteria even cause bloody diarrhea, in which case you should seek medical assistance immediately.
Other symptoms and results include the following:
- Mild or intense nausea
- Vomiting
- Cramping
- Sweating
- Fever
- Dizziness
If a sudden wave of illness hits you or a loved one and you aren’t sure of the source, call an expert to perform a water test.
How Do Contaminants Get Into Your Water?
Generally, bactrial contamination of water occurs in impoverished countries that don’t have the luxury of quality water treatment plants. However, even the average household’s tap water is subject to bacterial diseases.
Exactly how do contaminants get into your water? Sometimes they enter through the soil, sometimes they are deposited directly into the river or ocean, and sometimes they occur from inside your water system.
If there is a breach or you water has been poorly treated, bacteria from any of the following sources can accumulate within your water supply.
- Parasites
- Chemicals
- Human or animal fecal matter
- Toxic land materials
- Dead animals in your pipes
What Should You Do if Your Water is Bad?
If contaminants live in your tap water, do not keep drinking it and hope for the best. Immediately call a professional to treat your water for bacterial contamination. In the meantime, you can kill viruses and bacteria by boiling your water for one minute before drinking it or cooking with it. Remember to store and transport water in sterilized containers.
Additionally, you can guard against waterborne bacterial diseases by having your water professionally tested. Your health should be your primary concern, so if you suspect that something is affecting your water quality, act immediately.
AQA is dedicated to serving homeowners by taking the correct steps to solve air and water quality issues. We provide moisture evaluations, leak detection, mold, and water testing, VOC testing, and more. With our services, you will be able to get a clear picture of the issue at hand, and we will make sure you understand all the steps you need to take. With our years of experience making air quality the best it can be, you can trust our expertise. If you have any further questions or would like to schedule a water test, call us today.
