Contaminated Water Symptoms & Solutions
Contaminated water has become a global concern that has affected billions of people. It can lead to several serious health issues, this is why, it is necessary to get familiar with the symptoms of water contamination. So that they can take necessary to deal with it without wasting any time.
So, in this article, I am going to discuss symptoms of contaminated water along with the best solution. But, before heading towards this, let me first explain what actually contaminated water is.
Contaminated Water – Overview
Contaminated water contains pollutants, chemicals, or disease-causing microorganisms. These harmful substances can enter the water supply through industrial waste, agricultural runoff, or inadequate sewage treatment.
People who consume or come into contact with contaminated water may experience symptoms that indicate the presence of harmful substances.
General Symptoms of Contaminated Water
Metallic taste:
If your home’s water is metallic or strange, then this is a clear indication that it is contaminated. This is due to the presence of different kinds of bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals.
Smells like Rotten eggs:
This is yet another common symptom, if the water smells like rotten eggs, then there is a strong chance that it is contaminated.
Green stains:
If the home’s water is leaving blue-green stains behind, then it is also an indication that it is contaminated with toxic impurities.
These are some general symptoms of polluted water. In the heading below, I have also mentioned some health-related symptoms that will also let you know that you are drinking contaminated water.
Possible Health-Related Symptoms of Contaminated Water:
- Respiratory Problems:
Drinking contaminated water can cause respiratory problems. Symptoms may include coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, this can happen when water with harmful chemicals or pollutants is used for activities like showering or bathing.
- Gastrointestinal Problems:
One of the common symptoms of contaminated water is the digestive system. Contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. These symptoms are often caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites present in the water.
- Neurological Problems:
Drinking contaminated water can harm the nervous system and cause various symptoms like headaches, dizziness, confusion, or more severe neurological symptoms. Heavy metals in the water can cause neurotoxic effects. It is the most typical symptom of contaminated water.
- Kidney Problems:
Contaminated water can harm the kidneys, exposure to certain contaminants over time can lead to the formation of kidney stones and other kidney-related issues.
These problems are often caused by chemical pollutants and high levels of minerals in the water. It’s important to be aware of the quality of your water source to protect your kidney function.
- Skin Problems:
Contaminated water can cause skin problems like irritation, rashes, or itching. Chemical pollutants or microorganisms in the water can trigger these reactions. To prevent skin problems, it is best to avoid using contaminated water for activities like bathing or showering.
Solution of Contaminated Water:
Here are some solutions of contaminated water; each solution has its own effectiveness. So, pick the one that you think is good:
- Boiling Water:
Boiling water is a simple and effective way to purify water contaminated with bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. Heating water to its boiling point of 100°C (212°F) kills most types of pathogens that can make you sick.
Boiling water for at least one minute is recommended to kill harmful microorganisms. If the water is heavily contaminated, boiling for longer may be necessary.
- Chlorination:
Chlorination is a process in which chlorine is added to the water to kill harmful microorganisms. This chemical treats contaminated water by completely destroying the cell walls of toxic bacteria, microorganisms, etc. This is the reason why, it is a common method used by municipal water treatment plants.
However, if you are using it by yourself in order to treat your home’s water, then it is important to add the right amount of chlorine in the water, so that water remains safe for usage. Overdoing the amount can result in serious health threats.
Apart from chlorine, there are multiple other chemicals as well that can be beneficial in treating contaminated water. These include iodine, ozone, etc.
- Water filtration systems:
Utilizing water filters is a great way to remove impurities and contaminants from water. They use advanced filtration techniques to remove bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and chemicals.
These filters are considered a permanent solution for treating contaminated water. This is because, a normal filter can last for years if used and maintained properly.
You can find different types of water filters in the market, like RO filters, pitcher filters, undersink filters, etc. It is up to you which one you choose to go with.
- Ultraviolet Treatment:
UV treatment is a great way to purify water and get rid of harmful microorganisms. It works by using ultraviolet light to damage the DNA of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. And making them unable to reproduce and cause disease.
UV treatment is effective, especially against chlorine-resistant pathogens like Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which can cause serious gastrointestinal illness.
These are some of the useful solutions that you can consider using in order to efficiently treat contaminated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some common contaminants found in water all around the world?
Some commonly found contaminants in water include bacteria, chemicals, viruses, heavy metals, sediments, pesticides, and many more.
What causes the water to become contaminated?
There are multiple why water becomes polluted. Some of them are as follows:
- Natural sources
- Industrial wastage
- Human sewage disposal
Takeaways
Water contamination is quickly becoming a serious concern for humans. And drinking or using polluted water for a prolonged period of time can cause dangerous health problems. This is why, it is essential to get familiar with the symptoms of contaminated water so you can determine it before it’s too late. In this article, I have explained the symptoms in detail, along with solutions; hope you will like it.
