Drinking unfiltered tap water can lead to infections from bacteria. Sometimes we hear about contaminated water in the area from government alerts. Maybe the water you’re drinking tastes a little funny or your taps seem clogged. What could be in your unfiltered drinking water? And what can that mean for your health?
How can you tell if water is contaminated with bacteria?
Let’s dive into three of our five senses: taste, sight, and smell. These can give indications of bacteria in drinking water.
If your water tastes a little different to normal, it could be contaminated. Is it metallic? Oily? Fishy? Always be wary if you have an odd taste in your water.
If your water looks cloudy, foamy, or has sediment floating in it and it does not eventually disappear, bacteria may not be properly filtered. Look at your kitchen – if there is low pressure in your faucets, or blackening or sediment appears in your sink, there may be contaminants in your pipes.
If your water smells like rotten eggs (sulphur) or bleach (chlorine), it is best to test and check your drinking water. While sulphur and chlorine are harmful themselves, its exposure to certain bacteria can create harmful byproducts that cause nasty symptoms.
What are the most common bacteria found in tap water?
If your water is unfiltered, these bacteria are found in drinking water.
E. coli: Formally known as escherichia coli, it is often found in water and raw foods. E. coli is a type of coliform bacteria that can lead to stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever.
Faecal coliform: Faecal coliform live in the intestines of animals and humans, as well as their faecal waste. High levels can lead to various diseases such as typhoid and hepatitis.
Giardia: A parasite that is found in soil, water and food. Consumption can lead to an infection in the gastrointestinal tract, causing dehydration, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Legionella: A bacteria that can grow in water systems, like shower heads, faucets and water heater tanks. Can cause a lung infection called Legionnaires disease.
Shigella: Found in faeces, it can contaminate food, water and taps. It can cause an infection in the intestines that can lead to bloody diarrhoea, fever and nausea. It can be very contagious if exposed.
Enterobacter: A bacteria that tends to infect those who are immunocompromised and hospitalised. It can cause urinary tract infections and lung infections.
Acinetobacter: Commonly found in soil and water, this bacteria can cause different kinds of infections. These include pneumonia, urinary tract infections and blood infections.
Salmonella: Though you may often hear of this bacteria contaminating meat, like chicken, it can just as easily enter your water. Most people have symptoms of abdominal cramps, fever and diarrhoea.
Klebsiella: A bacteria most often found in nature and present in parts of the digestive tract, they are not often dangerous. However, those in hospital care can often get an infection from this bacteria,
Aeromonas: More common in warmer periods of the year, this water-loving bacteria can cause wound infections.
What happens if you drink water with bacteria in it?
As you can see, there is a risk that drinking unfiltered water will make you sick. Those who are immunocompromised (including people with breathing issues) can be particularly prone to infections from bacteria. Younger children and the elderly tend to be at greater risk.
How do you make tap water safe to drink and bacteria-free?
Sometimes these nasty bacteria can get in from the environment, or build-up in pipes can contaminate your water.
You will need a reliable filtering system within your home to clean your water and prevent risks to your health. It is the best way to assuredly remove bacteria from water.
Puratap filtration systems ensure your water systems are clean and fit for drinking. Made in Australia, our purification and filtering systems are award-winning. They are also professionally installed by licensed plumbers, making it easy for you to enjoy clean, fresh drinking water.