| | Water quality is a very important consideration, whether you own your home or you are looking at a home to buy. A lot of people assume that if their drinking water is clear and does not smell or taste funny then it is safe and healthy to drink, but this is not  always true. Water contamination is not usually noticeable, and this can lead to health problems and illnesses that can range from mild to severe and life threatening. The only way to determine the water quality of a home is to have water testing done. There are many different organisms that can affect the quality of your drinking water, including bacteria, protozoa, and others. Some organisms are considered pathogens, and are directly responsible for causing illnesses and diseases in humans, while other organisms are not directly considered pathogens but may indicate that other organisms are present that are pathogens. Water quality is an important aspect of any home, and water testing should be done at least once a year, as well as at other times deemed necessary. Any time a well is opened, if there is flooding, or there are other risks which may indicate the water source may have been contaminated, water quality testing should be done to protect you and all the other occupants of the home.
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Bacteria can be a source of water quality problems, especially if there is a chance that animal feces or other harmful materials can get into the water source. New wells which were recently excavated and installed have certain components and aspects that minimize and eliminate the chance of bacterial contamination, but any existing wells may not have these protections. Bacteria can enter the water supply by many routes, including water runoff that contains animal or human wastes, septic tanks that are seeping, facilities for sewage treatment, and natural bacteria that is present in dirt and soil. Another source can be animals, rodents, and insects that may actually enter the well or other water source. Flooding may also allow contaminated water to enter into the water source. Bacteria contamination can be a big water quality problem, and can cause sickness and disease. Some bacteria are not considered harmful to humans, and one of these is the coli form bacteria. The presence of this bacteria will not cause health problems, but it can indicate that there are other bacteria and organisms present that can cause illnesses and diseases. The presence of the coli form bacteria can indicate poor water quality and the need for further water testing.
Another organism that can cause water quality problems is a protozoa called Cryptosporidium, and this can cause the parasitic intestinal illness called cryptosporidiosis. There are two forms of this harmful organism, one that is free swimming and active, called trophozoite, and another form that is dormant, called oocyst. One species of Cryptosporidium, called Cryptosporidium parvum, is a known pathogen that can lead to serious intestinal illness that can become severe and even life threatening in some individuals. Unfortunately, chlorine does not kill off this organism. The most common cause of this protozoa is poor water quality and contamination with the oocysts form of the protozoa, but this organism can also cause infection if contaminated food is ingested or with close contact with an infected animal. It is possible to transmit this disease from one person to another as well, especially in daycare facilities. Drinking water that has not been tested and is infected with Cryptosporidium can cause many different health symptoms, including weight loss, diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, a low fever, and cramping in the abdomen in healthy people with a normal immune system. For people who have a suppressed immune system, the symptoms can be much more serious and can include an imbalance in the electrolytes of the body, and the spread of the organism into other areas of the body.
Water quality testing should also be done to eliminate the possibility of Giardia cysts in the water. This protozoon is contagious in the cyst stage, and this form is the one that is spread. Once these cysts hit the stomach, the acids in your stomach will cause the cyst to open or hatch, and this occurs in the intestines after the cysts have exited the stomach. Once hatched, the organism multiplies very quickly and will attach to the intestinal lining. This causes an illness called Giardiasis, and the symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, stomach cramps, and others. For most of us, those who are in good health and have a strong immune system, the symptoms will last a few weeks and be unpleasant, but this disease is not serious. For anyone who has a compromised immune system though, the disease can last for months and can become life threatening. Water quality testing should be done, even if you have no symptoms, if you suspect your drinking water is contaminated. Some individuals can be a carrier but never get the disease, but they can still infect others. All the occupants of your home should be tested for this parasite if you had water quality testing done and the results show there is Cryptosporidium present.
Water quality testing should be done at least once a year, and at other times as well. If you are thinking about buying a new home, you should have the water tested before making the purchase. Testing should also be done any time the well is opened, or if there is the possibility that contamination could have been introduced into the water source. Clean and safe drinking water is one of the most important considerations, because water is essential for life, and poor water quality can lead to illnesses and diseases that could end up being fatal for some. The quality of water can be affected by the presence of bacteria and other organisms which can make you sick, as well as toxic chemicals and radioactive elements. Water quality testing may be the only way to tell if your water is contaminated, because often it is not visible, and can not be smelled or tasted. Back To The
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