The Best Ways to Stay Safe from Water Contamination

Did you know that up to 80 percent of water contaminants are not visible to the naked eye? That’s right! While most people only think of bacteria and viruses when it comes to tainted drinking water, other contaminants too can pose a serious risk to your well-being. This is especially the case if you have a compromised immune system. Unless you have a well-insulated water filter, you are almost certain to be exposed to some sort of water contamination at some point.

What Causes Harmful Water Contamination?

There are a few factors that can cause harmful water contamination. They include:

- Aging or deteriorating infrastructure - When pipes and/or infrastructure are in poor shape, it can lead to contamination. If a household’s pipes are leaking, for example, then the water pressure could fall and lead to contamination.

- Excess medication - When people take medication, they often don’t realize that some of it ends up in the water supply. Disinfectants, for example, are often used in water treatment facilities. But these disinfectants can also degrade and cause a change in the water’s pH.

- Unmetered or illegal water source - Illegal wells, springs, and rainwater are common sources of water contamination. The water coming from these sources often doesn’t undergo any kind of treatment.

Chlorine

Chlorine is often added to municipal water supplies as a disinfectant. But it is also a halogen that acts as a disinfectant. Its main purpose is to kill bacteria.

Chlorine can also cause harm if it is added to water that already contains bacteria. This is because chlorine will kill both bacteria and algae – which is what most water treatment facilities are trying to get rid of.

In short, chlorine can have a negative impact on your health if it gets into the water you drink. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from this harmful water contaminant.

pH Levels

The pH level of water is an important factor to consider when looking for ways to stay safe from water contamination. Anything below 7 is considered acidic. Anything above 7 is considered alkaline. Most drinking water falls between 4 and 10. While a pH level between 4 and 7 is often safe for drinking, it can easily change to either too high or too low depending on the circumstances.

Alkaline water often has the added benefit of being good for your skin and stimulating growth in plants. But they can also be dangerous if they become too alkaline or too low. This is because it can cause damage to the skin and eyes.

Turbidity

Turbid water is water that is cloudy and murky. It can be caused by a number of factors, including high levels of dust or pollen in the air, excessive chlorine or chloramine, or even altitude.

The presence of algae, however, can be an easy indicator of water contamination. When water is algae-free, it is often because it is too clean. While algae can be a sign of poor water quality, it can also be a sign of bacterial or viral contamination.

Lead

Lead is a neurotoxin that can easily get into your water supply through aging pipes and infrastructure. It can also be caused by excess medication that ends up in the water supply. But it can also be found in the form of lead pipes and lead solder.

If you are drinking water that has lead in it, you are putting yourself at risk of neurological damage – including mental impairment, fatigue, and even weight gain.

Bacteria

When it comes to harmful water contaminants, bacteria is often the most common. You can protect yourself from bacterial contamination by sticking to filtered or bottled water for drinking and cooking. If you are on immunosuppressants or have a compromised immune system, make sure to talk to your doctor before doing so.

Viruses

Viruses are small particles that are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Most of the time, a virus is harmless. It can even cause you to have a fever.

But there are some viruses that can cause serious harm if they get into the water supply. They can cause gastroenteritis, hepatitis, and even leptospirosis – all of which can be deadly.

Conclusion

We are exposed to harmful water contaminants on a daily basis. But what makes them harmful? And how can we protect ourselves from them? Unfortunately, the answer to these questions is not as simple as it may seem. Contamination can come in many forms. And it can be caused by a number of factors. The only way to stay safe from harmful water contamination is to keep an eye on these factors and take precautions.

Water filters are an important part of your home water filtration system. They can remove chlorine and other harmful contaminants. But they can’t protect you from bacteria, viruses, or other harmful contaminants that may be present in the water supply. That is why you also need to have a functional water treatment system.