Even with some of the most advanced technology at our disposal, some of the world still suffers from water contamination. In most parts of the world, it’s due to poor infrastructure that can leave even the largest sources of drinking water contaminated. Even some runoff can result in various different viruses, bacteria, and parasites finding their way into surrounding bodies of water. With these contaminants present, the water used on a daily basis could cause serious harm.
Avoiding the risks of these water-based contaminants is imperative for the sake of the safety of our families. Before being able to make any meaningful changes in the way your family filters its water, you must first understand the contaminants and the ways they can invade your home. This post will provide a breakdown of just that.
First, an example of how the contamination process could work: take a rainy day for example. The rain pouring down from the sky can wash fecal matter from surrounding farm areas and push it into nearby rivers or streams. These bodies of water could then become infected with E. coli, which is a bacteria that causes unpleasant symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea in those affected. Another example of possible contamination comes from air conditioners and sprinkler systems that are not properly maintained. If not monitored closely, these two systems are optimal places for the Legionella bacteria to fester. This bacteria is commonly known to enter the respiratory system and lead to Legionnaires’ disease, which is a condition characterized by shortness of breath and severe fits of coughing.
While this scenario is fairly common in more rural areas of the world, there are additional ways in which different contaminants can invade the home. Most notably, pseudomonas and giardia lamblia. Pseudomonas is a pathogen that has been known to cause a number of illnesses ranging from pneumonia all the way to UTIs, and sometimes even sepsis. It is particularly dangerous to hospital patients that are utilizing equipment such as ventilators or catheters. Giardia Lamblia is a parasite that is most often caught by drinking water or using ice that was made from sources where this parasite lives. In addition to this, it is highly contagious. So even those that haven’t consumed water from a contaminated source can still find themselves becoming infected. Symptoms of infection often include diarrhea, stomach cramping, and increased internal temperatures.
Were you hoping to learn more about the different types of contaminants that could be creeping their way into your home? You’ll find all the information necessary to keep your family safe within the infographic featured alongside this post, What May Be Lurking In Your Water. Take a moment to check it out!
Chris Ebener is a mechanical engineer for LiquiTech, with a proven track record of diagnosing and remediating public water system issues of various sizes and complexity. Ebener is an expert on the biochemical makeup of facility water systems, system architecture and various methodologies of public drinking water treatment.