Disinfecting Water Sources
Of the world’s population, only 1 in 3 people have access to clean water. This leaves them vulnerable to waterborne diseases, which are responsible for millions of deaths each year.
One of the most effective ways to prevent these diseases is to disinfect water sources. This can be done using a variety of methods, including chlorination, ultraviolet light, and filtration.
Disinfecting water sources is crucial to protecting your health. However, it is important to note that this is just one step in ensuring safe drinking water. Once water has been treated, it must be stored properly and used in a way that minimizes the risk of contamination.
The Importance Of Disinfecting Water
As water becomes increasingly contaminated, it is more crucial than ever to disinfect your water. Drinking contaminated water can lead to serious health problems, including gastrointestinal illnesses, fevers, and organ damage, amongst other diseases such as cholera, hepatitis and typhoid.
What is most important to remember is that even if your water looks clean, it may still be contaminated with bacteria, viruses and chemicals. Taking steps to disinfect your water will help keep you and your family safe from illness.
Lead And Mercury
We all know that lead and mercury are bad for our health. But did you know that these toxic metals can also be found in our water? That’s right, lead and mercury can enter our water supply through old pipes, leaching of soil, or runoff from factories.
So what’s the big deal? Well, lead is a neurotoxin that can cause serious health problems, including high blood pressure, anemia, and damage to the brain and nervous system. It’s especially harmful to children, who are more likely to absorb it through their skin or accidentally ingest it. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause learning and behavior problems in children.
Mercury is also poisonous, and exposure to high levels can cause seizures, diarrhea, and even brain damage. Exposure to mercury can also cause birth defects and developmental problems in children.
But it’s not just lead and mercury you have to worry about.
Forever Chemicals
Finally, there are "forever chemicals" in water that can cause cancer and other health problems. These chemicals are called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). They are found in most drinking water supplies across the US. PFAS can also be found in food, cookware (Teflon), and clothing that has been treated with PFAS-containing products. You can read more here.
Diseases
Below are just two examples of the most common waterborne diseases found in US:
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Swimmers Ear, also known as otitis externa, is a condition that can affect anyone who spends time in the water, but is primarily found in children. The condition is caused by the growth of bacteria in the ear canal. Symptoms of swimmer's ear include pain, itching, and discharge from the ear. If not treated or left too long, it can lead to hearing loss amongst other things. Swimmer's ear can be prevented by keeping the ears clean and dry.
Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is a very contagious virus. It is the most common cause of gastroenteritis (stomach flu) in the United States. The symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Norovirus is usually spread through contaminated food or water, contact with an infected person, or contact with contaminated surfaces. The best way to prevent norovirus is to practice good hand hygiene and cleanliness.
How To Know If Your Water Is Contaminated
If you suspect your water may be contaminated, there are a few things you can do to check.
First, see if there have been any recent boil water advisories in your area. If there have been, that means the water is not safe to drink without boiling it first.
Secondly, take a look at the water itself. If it's cloudy or sediment-filled, that's a sign that something may be wrong. You might even be able to taste that something is wrong for example, if it has a sulfur smell or a metallic taste, that could indicate contamination.
Finally, if you're still not sure, you can always have your water tested for contamination. If it is contaminated, you may start to feel sick. Symptoms of contamination include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you start to feel sick after drinking or using water from a certain source, it's best to stop using that water and contact your local health department.
How To Disinfect Contaminated Water
One popular method is to use bleach. This can be effective in killing bacteria and viruses, but it is important to make sure that the bleach is of a high quality in order to be effective. Another option is to use a quality water filter. This will remove contaminants from the water and make it safe to drink. However, it is important to note that some filters may not be effective in removing all contaminants. If you are unsure about the quality of your water, it is always best to err on the side of caution and boil the water before consumption.
When it comes to disinfecting contaminated water, there are a few options available. Here are three tips for disinfecting contaminated water:
1. Use a quality water filter - A good quality water filter can help remove harmful bacteria and viruses from your water. Be sure to choose a filter that is certified by an independent testing organization such as NSF International or the Water Quality Association. If you know that your area suffers from lead contamination or any other specific issues then you should try to find a water filter that is designed specifically for those contaminants. Read more about how to find the right filter here.
2. You can use bleach - Adding a small amount of bleach to your water can help kill harmful bacteria and viruses. Be sure to check the label on the bleach to make sure it is safe for drinking.
3. Boiling - Boiling your water should be a last resort, especially if you know that your water is contaminated. Boiling the water for a minimum of one minute will also kill most bacteria and viruses.
4. Water disinfection treatments- There are a couple ways to do this, you can purchase water purification tablets or drops. Survivor Filter is working on developing a new water purification droplet system.
How To Disinfect And Maintain Your Home Water System
Your water system is a critical part of your home, and it’s important to keep it clean and disinfected. Here are some tips on how to do just that:
For Home Taps
1. Take note of the lifespan of your home filter. Once you’ve gone over either the amount of time suggested or the gallon capacity of your filter, it is probably time to change it out.
2. Maintain your home's plumbing, making sure that your pipes are in good shape for the type of material they are (PVC, CPVC, Copper, etc).
3. Consider what you’re putting down your drains: opt for clean/green products that are low toxic and good for the environment.
For A Tank
This should be done at least once a year.
1. Start by draining your water tank. This will help remove any sediment that has built up over time.
2. Once the tank is empty, clean it out with a mild soap and water solution. Be sure to rinse it well afterwards.
3. Next, disinfect the tank with a bleach solution. Let this solution sit in the tank for at least an hour before flushing it out completely.
4. Finally, refill the tank with fresh water and add a new filter if necessary.
By following these simple steps, you can help ensure that your home’s water supply is clean and safe to use.