How Does Water Get Contaminated?
Water contamination can happen literally anywhere.
They occur in city water supplies, well water supplies, and even freshwater sources like lakes and rivers.
The main sources are human and animal waste, such as fertilizers used on farms.
Flooding and runoff from unexpected heavy rainfall, hurricanes, agricultural activities, and industrial factories can also cause water contamination.
Oh, and mother nature is a culprit here too…
Natural heavy metals can enter groundwater sources, making them unsafe to drink.
Unfortunately, nearly all contaminants in our drinking water are invisible to the naked eye.
What makes it even scarier is that symptoms may or may not present themselves immediately.
That’s why some people only realize it many years after that a problem even exists.
Next, let’s take a look at a few of the most common waterborne diseases, shall we?
5 Most Common Waterborne Diseases
Waterborne diseases are caused by bacteria and viruses ingested with contaminated water.
Believe it or not, you don’t even have to drink contaminated water to catch some waterborne diseases.
Sometimes, all it takes is coming in contact with someone else who’s already infected.
Now, let’s take a look at the five most common waterborne diseases and the dangers they pose.
Salmonella infection is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract.
About 2 million Americans are infected each year.
People usually get infected after ingesting egg products, undercooked meat, or water that is contaminated with animal feces.
The bacteria can enter private wells and water tanks through surface runoff from rivers, lakes, and ponds with animal droppings.
Symptoms of salmonellosis include:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Abdominal cramps
However, some people may be infected without showing any symptoms.
Hepatitis A is an extremely infectious disease that can be contracted by simply drinking water contaminated with the virus.
However, a person can also be infected by coming in close contact with someone who has the virus.
While an infection usually lasts a few weeks, more severe cases can last for a few months.
Symptoms of Hepatitis A include:
- Abdominal pain
- Depression
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Jaundice
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Clay-colored bowel movements
Cryptosporidiosis (or simply referred to as “crypto”) is a disease caused by a parasite that targets the intestines.
This unwanted organism lives in the bowels of infected humans and pets.
You can catch this disease by drinking or even swimming in crypto-contaminated water.
Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include:
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Headache
- Loss of appetite
However, some infected people may not show any symptoms at all.
Typhoid is an infection that is caused by the Salmonella typhimurium bacteria.
If caught early, a doctor will most likely be able to treat it with antibiotics.
This disease is typically contracted through drinking contaminated water.
However, it can also pass from one person to another simply by touching each other.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that there are around 5,700 cases of typhoid in the U.S. every year.
Symptoms of typhoid include:
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Constipation
Cholera is an infection of the intestine caused by drinking water that contains traces of feces.
This disease is responsible for over 100,000 deaths around the world every year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that cholera still affects 3 to 5 million people annually.
Symptoms of cholera include:
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Profuse diarrhea
- Headaches
- Abdominal cramps
Fortunately, cholera is very easy to treat.
Does Dirty, Contaminated Water Usually Smell Bad?
The “simple” answer is: yes and no (ha!).
While some contaminants leave bad odors for us to detect, others don’t.
Homeowners sometimes smell unpleasant odors in their household water.
The thing is, public water suppliers usually chlorinate water to prevent bacterial growth.
This is why your water may have a chemical or medicinal odor.
However, if your water smells like a rotten egg, it may be a sign of unwanted bacterial growth.
This should be checked immediately.
The same goes for a musty, moldy, grassy, earthy, or even fishy odor, which may mean that you have polluted well water from surface drainage.
We highly recommend that you contact your water provider if you suspect that there may be some funny business going on.
Will Boiling My Water Make It Safe To Drink?
Some people think that when they boil the water, they can drink it without any worries.
The water will taste flat by then and the process is a bit annoying, but at least it’s safe, right?
The thing is, boiling water only gets rid of viruses, bacteria, and parasites that can’t withstand heat.
This is a great first step, sure, but there are so many more contaminants lurking in your tap water that don’t mind a hot bath.
In fact, some may even flourish and become more concentrated by doing so.
There are also a variety of heavy metals, chemicals, and other dissolved solids that do not evaporate in heat — such as lead, fluoride, and PFAS.
So to answer the question…
Boiling water does not make contaminated water safe to drink.
What Can I Do To Make Sure That My Tap Water Is Safe To Drink?
If you live in one of the 15 million U.S. households that rely on private wells for drinking water, then you should know that the EPA doesn’t oversee your water quality at all.
They only keep an eye on public water systems, regulating just 120 different contaminants.
So, at the end of the day, it’s still best for you to take matters into your own hands.
One of the first things to do is to test your water regularly.
It’s recommended to do so at least once a year.
Now, if you want to really keep you and your loved ones safe, we highly recommend that you install a home filter.
Is It Worth Getting A Home Water Filtration System?
If you want to make sure you have clean water every day, then it’s a YES!
Here’s a quick list of the benefits of getting a high-quality filtration system for your home:
1. The Sustainable Choice
First of all, disposable plastic bottles may contain toxic chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) that can harm your health.
Second, they also have a highly negative impact on the environment.
Using a home water filter reduces the need for bottled water and limits the damage done to the environment.
You never know when a pipe break, an oil spill, or an earthquake may contaminate your drinking water.
A home water filter will save you from additional stress during emergencies and give you complete autonomy over your water quality.
There are so many unpredictable causes, and it’s better to be prepared in the event of a crisis.
And even if your water is already contaminated...
You’ll have the best solution to the problem right under your sink.
There’s no question about it: we live in a thirsty world.
Unfortunately, many people still prefer buying bottled water because it’s more convenient.
However, that convenience comes at a high price tag.
A home water filter, on the other hand, will save you a lot of money in the long run.
A high-quality home filtration system ensures tasty and safe drinking water for you and your loved ones.
If you want to make sure you have the cleanest, safest, and tastiest water imaginable, then an under-sink reverse osmosis (RO) filter is the best option.
Our very own Cloud Water Filters even use built-in software to monitor your water quality 24/7.
