Bacteria and Viruses in Water

Bacteria in Water

Some of the contaminants that can be in your home’s water supply cannot be detected through sight, smell or taste. In fact, water that looks clear may not be as clean as you think.

There are many ways bacteria can enter the water supply such as leaking septic tanks, feedlot runoff, aging water distribution pipes, flood or surface water entering a well or contamination from animals, plants or insects. Bacteria and Viruses are more common in well water, but they can also be found in city water. Municipalities do a great job providing you with safe water, but things can happen to water once it leaves the treatment plant.

Examples of bacteria and viruses that can be found in water

  • Bacteria
    • E. coli
    • Salmonella
    • Shigella
    • Giardia
  • Viruses
    • Norovirus
    • Hepatitis A & E
    • Caliciviruses

Symptoms of Bacteria or Viruses in Water

It is difficult to determine if contaminated water is the reason you feel ill. The symptoms of bacterial and viral infections can vary and are similar to symptoms caused by other things. Bacterial infections can cause gastrointestinal illness with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea. Viral infection symptoms can include tiredness, fever, vomiting, headaches, muscle aches and cramps. If contaminated water is continually ingested, it could lead to dehydration, weight loss and possibly death.

How to Make Contaminated Water Safe

K5 Drinking Water System

Whether your water is supplied by a well or municipal treatment center, there is no guarantee that the water supply in your home is entirely free of bacteria, viruses or other contaminants. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), boiling is a highly-effective method to reduce or eliminate bacteria and viruses in water. The water should be heated to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute to be most effective.

Another way to protect the water you drink is to use a drinking water filtration system. If bacteria and viruses are of particular concern, consider installing Kinetico’s K5 Drinking Water Station with a Purefecta Guard filter cartridge. Using Purefecta Guard and the air-charge storage tank, the K5 is certified to greatly reduce bacteria and viruses in your water. Depending on the other cartridges you choose to customize your system, the K5 can also significantly reduce such contaminants as arsenic, nitrates and lead.

Contact your local Kinetico water expert today for a free water test to determine the best water filtration system for you.