If you drink tap water that has certain germs or microorganisms, you could become ill. The most common bacteria that pollute tap water and cause illness are listed here, along with an advice on how to get rid of or manage them.
How many types of microorganisms present in tap water?
1. Cryptosporidium
Typical sources
Poop from sick or diseased people or animals that enter the water due to sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, polluted storm water runoff, or agricultural runoff.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Use a filter that is approved to remove Crypto, boil your water for 1 minute (or 3 minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet), reverse osmosis or Commercial RO Plants, UV light, or ozone water treatment.
2. Campylobacter
Common sources
Poop from sick people or animals that enter water sources due to sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, polluted storm water runoff, or agricultural runoff.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Boil the water for one minute (three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet), or chemically disinfect it. The water treatment plants and other filters with a specific design, may also be very efficient.
Illness caused
Diarrhoea, fever, and cramping are typical symptoms.
3. E. coli
Common sources include human or animal waste that enters water through sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, tainted storm water runoff, or agricultural runoff.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Boil the water for one minute (three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet), or chemically disinfect it. Other water treatment systems and filters like RO Plants, with a specific design may also be efficient.
Illness caused
Severe stomach cramps, frequently bloody diarrhoea, and vomiting are typical symptoms.
4. Enterovirus
Typical sources
Poop from diseased humans that enter the water as a result of sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, or polluted storm water runoff.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Enteroviruses are difficult to destroy with disinfectants, because they are too tiny to pass through house or outdoor water filters.
Illness caused
A fever, runny nose, sneezing, cough, skin rash, mouth blisters, or body and muscular aches, are among of the more prevalent symptoms, which are frequently moderate.
5. Giardia
Typical sources
Poop from sick people or animals that enter water sources due to sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, polluted storm water runoff, or agricultural runoff.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Use a filter approved to eliminate Giardia or Cryptosporidium cysts, boil your water for 1 minute (or 3 minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet), reverse osmosis, UV light, or ozone water treatment.
Illness caused
Diarrhoea, gas, oily stools, stomach ache or cramps, upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, or dehydration are typical signs,with the loss of fluids.
6. Viral hepatitis-A
Typical sources
Poop from diseased individuals that enter the water as a result of sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, polluted storm water runoff, or agricultural runoff.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Boil the water for one minute (three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet) or chemically disinfect it. The hepatitis-A virus is too tiny to be eliminated by water filters used at home, or while camping.
Illness caused
Yellow skin or eyes, lack of appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, stomach discomfort, fever, dark urine or light-coloured faeces, diarrhoea, joint pain, or fatigue are some symptoms that can occur.
7. Legionella
Common sources
Freshwater habitats like lakes and streams are where Legionella bacteria normally occur. In building water systems, such as taps or hot water heaters, as well as equipment that produces tiny droplets of water, such as cooling towers, hot tubs, or decorative fountains, the bacteria can thrive and spread, posing a health risk.
The majority of outbreaks that have been documented occur in long-term care institutions, hospitals, and other structures with vast, intricate water systems.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Owners and managers should maintain water systems and adopt a water management programme, to prevent the growth and spread of Legionella in building water systems.
Illness caused
Signs and symptoms may include headaches, fever, muscle aches, and shortness of breath.
8. Norovirus
Common sources include faeces from diseased persons that enter the river through sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, or polluted storm water discharge.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Boiling your water for one minute will remove it from your drinking water (at elevations above 6,500 feet, boil for 3 minutes).
Illness caused
Common signs include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhoea.
9. Rotavirus
Typical resources
Poop from diseased humans that enter the water as a result of sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, or polluted storm water runoff.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Boil the water for one minute (three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet), or chemically sterilize it to remove it from drinking water. The rotavirus is too tiny to pass through household or outdoor water filters.
Illness caused
Severe diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, or stomach pains are typical symptoms.
10. Salmonella
Typical sources
Poop from sick people or animals that enter water sources due to sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, polluted storm water runoff, or agricultural runoff.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Boil the water for one minute (three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet) or chemically disinfect it. Water treatment plants and other filters with a specific design, may be efficient as well.
Illness caused
Common signs include fever, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea (which can be bloody).
11. Shigella
Common sources
These include faeces from diseased persons that enter the river through sewage overflows, malfunctioning sewage systems, or polluted storm water discharge.
Eliminating it from water for drinking
Boil the water for one minute (three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet), or chemically sterilize it to remove it from drinking water. Water treatment plants and other filters with a specific design, may be efficient as well.
Illnesses caused
Diarrhoea (which can be bloody), fever, stomach pain, and the urge to urinate even when the intestines are empty, are common symptoms of illness.
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Netsol Water is one of the top businesses offering effective water management solutions. Our advanced water treatment products aid in the treatment of water, reducing TDS levels, heavy metals and other microscopic organisms, with the elimination of unpleasant odours, etc.
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