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The health effects of drinking contaminated water can be more serious than you may think. It can have severe health consequences that can vary depending on the type and concentration of pollutants, as well as the duration of exposure. If you have any reason to be worried about the quality of your water, get in touch with an Aquarius Water Conditioning professional.
We’ll get to the bottom of what’s wrong and install the right Kinetico water quality system to take care of it.
Bacterial Contaminants
- E. coli and coliform bacteria: These bacteria are commonly found in feces and indicate fecal contamination. Consuming water contaminated with E. coli can lead to symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea, and in severe cases, it can result in kidney failure.
- Salmonella: This bacteria can cause gastroenteritis, with symptoms including diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. Ingesting water contaminated with salmonella can lead to widespread illness.
Viral Contaminants
- Norovirus: This highly contagious virus can cause acute gastroenteritis with symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. It spreads easily through contaminated water and can lead to outbreaks in communities.
- Hepatitis A: Contaminated water can transmit hepatitis A, a viral infection that affects the liver. Symptoms include jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain. Severe cases can result in acute liver failure.
Parasitic Contaminants
- Giardia and Cryptosporidium: These parasites can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, with symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, and weight loss. Contaminated water is a common source of these parasites, and they can be especially harmful to individuals with weakened immune systems.
Chemical Contaminants
- Lead: Lead contamination in drinking water, often due to lead plumbing or older pipes, can have severe health effects, especially on children. Lead exposure can lead to developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. In adults, lead exposure can cause high blood pressure and kidney damage.
- Arsenic: Arsenic is a significant concern in some areas. Prolonged exposure to arsenic can lead to various health problems, including skin lesions, cardiovascular issues, and an increased risk of cancer.
- Nitrates: High nitrate levels in water, often from agricultural runoff, can harm infants, causing a condition called methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome,” which results in a reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
- Chlorine and disinfection byproducts: While chlorine is used to disinfect water and make it safe, it can react with organic matter in the water to form disinfection byproducts. Long-term exposure to high levels of these byproducts has been associated with an increased risk of cancer and other health issues.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): These chemicals, which can contaminate water through industrial or environmental sources, may cause various health problems, including liver and kidney damage, nervous system disorders, and certain types of cancer.
Prevention and Mitigation
To prevent the health effects of drinking contaminated water, several steps can be taken:
- Regular testing: Regular testing of your drinking water, whether from a private well or a public source, is essential to identify and address any contamination promptly.
- Water treatment: Depending on the contaminants present, appropriate water treatment methods can be applied, such as filtration, chlorination, or the use of water softeners.
- Boiling water: In emergencies or if you suspect bacterial contamination, boiling water can kill harmful pathogens and make it safe to drink.
Find out more about the health effects of drinking contaminated water by calling Aquarius Water Conditioning at 844-565-9198 or using our online contact form.
