772-283-4767The Risks of Contaminated Drinking Water
We’ve all heard stories about people becoming ill from eating contaminated food. But contaminated water can also be a very serious problem. Is your water contaminated? Is it just a little unsafe? There are ways for you to find out if it is, and there are ways to prevent it in the future. Atlantic Coast Water Clinic of South Florida would like to share some important information about the hazards of unclean water and the best ways to make sure your drinking water is always safe.
Municipal water sources
If, like most people you receive your tap water from a local municipal source, it may not be exactly pure water. Yes, it has been tested – at the source – for contaminants, but the supplier’s purity requirements probably aren’t as stringent as yours. After the water leaves the source, a variety of pollutants can enter it, primarily from old, corroded pipes and plumbing systems.
The effects of contaminated drinking water
There’s a long list of water-based illnesses reported by consumers. These include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Stomach cramps
- Dehydration
- Severe infections
- In the worst cases, death
As with many medical maladies, a variety of causes can lead to the symptoms and resulting illnesses. Often, nobody considers that their drinking water might be to blame.
What could be in the water?
The list of possible contaminants in drinking water is extensive. Findings have included:
- Lead
- Fluoride
- coli bacteria
- Arsenic
- Radium
- Drugs (prescribed and over-the-counter)
- Nitrates
- Radon
- Coliform bacteria
- Salmonella
- Petrochemicals
- Pesticides and herbicides
and much more. Depending on their levels in the water, these contaminants can cause the illnesses listed above, along with many others.
How to solve this problem
The solution to contaminated drinking water is to have a top-quality water purification system installed. When you work with a professional water treatment technician, you’ll be able to select the optimal system to purify whatever water you want to purify within your home. The technician can also test your water and provide you with answers to questions you may be having about water purity.
A reverse-osmosis drinking water system will clean up your drinking water and make it not only safe but also great-tasting. For a more comprehensive approach, there are whole-house water filtration systems that will remove up to 99% of the impurities in all the water entering your home.
What you don’t know can hurt you
Many times, we’ll go ahead and drink the water out of a faucet, figuring if our city said it’s okay, then it’s okay. That might be the case, but then it might not. The problem with so many of the contaminants we listed earlier is that you can’t actually taste them in the water. If you have a piece of spoiled steak, you’ll know it before it gets close to your mouth. But with water, the impurities usually remain hidden – until a health issue occurs. We’re not saying that all city water is polluted. What we are saying is, it’s best to err on the side of caution. A good water treatment system in your home allows you to do that. If you live in Port St. Lucie, FL, Fort Pierce, FL, Hobe Sound, FL, or other local cities or towns, Atlantic Coast Water Clinic is here to help with all your water needs. Reach us at (772) 283-4767, or get in touch with us online.