Bacteria & Viruses
The underground Floridian Aquifer supplies most of the drinking water to South Florida homes, and municipal water treatment generally removes most harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites. However, some microorganisms are resistant to chemical disinfection and may be present in drinking water. Waterborne bacteria and viruses can be a problem for homeowners who get their water from a private well, especially if the home or business lacks an effective water treatment and purification system. A water quality test will determine whether bacteria, viruses, or parasites are infecting your water supply.
Common Bacteria & Viruses Found in Water
Not all bacteria are harmful, but water contaminated with infectious microbes, cysts, viruses, and other parasites can make you sick.
Coliform
Coliforms are microbes that live in soil, plants, and animal digestive tracts. The bacteria can infect the water through leaks or cracks that allow soil, surface water, or a leaking septic tank infected with the bacteria to get into the water well. Coliform bacteria will not make you sick, but it may indicate the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
Cysts
Cysts are single-celled organisms with a capsule or protective sac that feed on other microorganisms and parasites in soil and freshwater. Water infected with cysts can be harmful to your health. Cysts are also resistant to disinfection, but Reverse Osmosis water filtration and Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection can eliminate the harmful bacteria.
E.Coli
E. Coli is a group of bacteria that can infect the water supply, such as a private well contaminated with sewage. Infection can occur when a nearby septic tank leaks waste into the soil and is drawn into the well. While most strains of E. Coli are harmless, some strains can make people very ill. Water infected with E. Coli should not be consumed or used.
Salmonella
Salmonella is a harmful bacterium that can cause salmonellosis when surface water or well water is contaminated with human or animal feces, usually through leaks in a sewage system or polluted runoff from heavy rains. Symptoms of Salmonella include diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, and fever.
Viruses
Viruses are parasitic infectious microbes, about 100 times smaller than bacteria, that reproduce in living cells, causing disease in humans. Water-related viral pathogens such as norovirus, rotavirus, and hepatitis A, can be present in drinking water contaminated with animal or human waste.
Ultraviolet (UV) Light Disinfection
UV disinfection is part of a water filtration process that exposes the water to specific wavelengths of light that have proven as an effective treatment for killing up to 99.99% of harmful bacteria, viruses, cysts, and other microorganisms that may have contaminated the water supply.
Prevent Bacteria & Viruses from Infecting Your Water
Life is better with clean, odor-free, and healthy water from Atlantic Coast Water Clinic. We have water treatment and purification solutions that eliminate bacteria, cysts, and viruses in city water or well water in Southeast Florida, including Hobe Sound, Indiantown, Ft. Pierce, Port St. Lucie, Jensen Beach, and communities throughout Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River Counties. Contact a professional, trained water specialist to analyze your water today!
Get a Free Analysis & Quote from Atlantic Coast Water Clinic for any of our solutions. Call (772) 283-4767 or use our online form at the top of the page.