Everybody loves a glass of clear, cold fresh drinking water and most people agree that drinking plenty of water helps keep you healthy. The problem is that the water you drink may look great but may not help you stay healthy. In fact, more than a million Americans are sickened by their drinking water each year.
These illnesses can result from drinking public tap water (municipal water) and water from private sources like privately owned wells or rainwater collection systems. Public water supplies go through multiple filtering and disinfection steps but have historically been the cause of 80% of illnesses caused by drinking water. Private wells contributed only 8% of the incidents.
Legionella Is Number One in Causing Drinking Water Illness
Legionella is a type of bacterium that thrives in water sources. The bacterium most typically causes a serious case of pneumonia but can also cause a milder illness called Pontiac fever.
Both public water sources and private wells have been sources of illness from Legionella. It is most common for people to get sick from inhaling Legionella but drinking water contaminated with Legionella can also cause illness. The presence of a slime-like biofilm in pipes or other parts of the water system can prevent Legionella from being disinfected because the biofilm protects the bacteria. Shock chlorination, ultraviolet treatment or carbon block filters will remove Legionella from drinking water.
Norovirus Is Number Two in Causing Illness From Private Water Supplies
Norovirus is not as dangerous as Legionella because it mostly causes vomiting and diarrhea for a few days. This virus can easily be transmitted to other people, however, even for two weeks after the symptoms cease.
Norovirus contamination of drinking water typically results from some kind of fecal contamination of a water supply. With a private well, this could point to a leaking septic tank. With public water supplies, the problem could be sewage overflow or a malfunctioning sewage system. Shock chlorination will kill norovirus in a private water well.
Giardia Takes Third Place in Illness Outbreaks from Public Water Supplies
Giardia duodenalis is a tiny parasite. It causes diarrhea, gas, upset stomach and stomach cramps. Giardia can enter well water or public water supplies through fecal contamination. These tiny parasites can be eliminated with a filter certified to remove cysts, such as reverse osmosis. Ultraviolet and chlorine disinfection may not be effective.
Three Other Drinking Water Microorganisms Causing Outbreaks of Illness
Other nasty water-borne microorganisms in drinking water are:
Campylobacter: This bacterium causes campylobacteriosis, resulting in diarrhea. This illness is usually mild but can be dangerous for small children and the elderly. Chlorine disinfectants will kill Campylobacter.
Pseudomonas: This bacterium is usually not a problem for healthy people but it can harm a person with a weakened immune system, causing pneumonia or blood poisoning. It can make its way into drinking water by colonizing biofilms in faucets or shower heads. For this reason, plumbing fixtures in a home must be disinfected to eliminate it.
E. Coli: This very well-known bacterium is responsible for huge recalls of products like lettuce or carrots. There are many types of E. coli and some are harmless. The harmful types of E. coli cause diarrhea and may also cause stomach cramps, fever and vomiting. Younger children and the elderly are most at risk. The bacterium enters drinking water supplies from fecal contamination. Shock chlorination or ultraviolet treatment will kill E. coli in well water.
Testing For and Eliminating These Drinking Water Contaminants
When you have a private water well, it takes vigilance to prevent any of these “bugs” from making their way into your family’s water glasses. Annual testing for bacteria or other microorganisms is a must. Once you know what contaminants are present, you can plan for the right type of disinfecting process which could include a disinfecting process like calcium hypochlorite or ultraviolet disinfection.
If you know that your water contains one of these microorganisms, the water must be boiled for at least a minute before consuming it.
Fast, Accurate Testing of Your Drinking Water from ETR Laboratories
To eliminate these microorganisms in your drinking water, you will need to test your water to find out which ones are present. That will guide your selection of a filtration or disinfection system. Of course, it’s also important to look for a source of fecal contamination on any property with a contaminated well.
ETR Laboratories can provide you with fast and accurate results of a well water test before you make your disinfection plan. If microorganisms are your concern, check out our Water Microanalysis Test which uses an electron microscope and to identify the exact types of bacteria, fungi or other microorganisms in your water.
