Is your water safe to drink?

Clean, safe water is often taken for granted, thinking it’s a given. But have you ever considered how safe your water really is? 

Drinking contaminated water causes various health implications, especially if consumed over long periods of time. It’s usually odourless, colourless and tasteless, so unless you experience immediate symptoms or you have you water tested, you may not know if you have any unwanted creeping lurking in your water.

What could be in your water?

·         E-coli: is associated with human or animal faeces contaminating your water. A water sample is needed to find out if you have this particular bacteria in your water.

·         Pesticides: can contaminate agricultural and household wells, leaving your drinking water unsafe to drink if exposed to a large amount.

·         Bacteria: found in your drinking water is considered unsafe to drink until the water source has been cleaned properly. Bacteria can be caused by dryness of the well for extensive periods, heavy rain, wear and tear of the water structure, or a spring run-off.

·         Total Coliforms: are bacteria found in water or soil that’s been contaminated by human or animal waste. If found in your water, it could be an indication that bacteria, parasites or viruses are present.

·         Nitrates: in water stem from fertilising in agricultural settings which can cause a condition called “Blue Baby Syndrome – which interferes with an infant’s ability to carry enough oxygen throughout its body.

Symptoms of drinking contaminated water:

·         Diarrhoea

·         Stomach cramps

·         Vomiting

·         Nausea

·         Death

Preventative tips:

·         Always boil your drinking, cooking, and teeth brushing water

·         Know the source where your water is coming from

·         Avoid getting untreated water in your eyes or mouth

·         Contact your local health department to find about testing your water supply

It’s important to have a trusted medical aid scheme with hospitalisation cover to ensure you receive the proper care you need. If you consume a large amount of contaminated water and experience any of the above symptoms to the point where you become dehydrated due to excessive fluid loss, you would need to be admitted to the hospital to receive proper care. If not, you could cause permanent damage to vital organs.

Sources: http://www.livestrong.com/article/459061-how-does-drinking-contaminated-water-affect-our-health/

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