What are the consequences of not treating drinking water?
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What are the consequences of not treating drinking water?

Water is an essential resource for all living beings on the planet, and it is crucial to ensure that the water we drink and use is safe for consumption. Water can carry various bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause serious diseases if left untreated. Failure to treat water can lead to the spread of several diseases.

So what are the consequences of not treating drinking water?

Bacteria are tiny microorganisms that can be found in water and can cause a variety of diseases.

Some common bacteria found in untreated water include:

  • Diphtheria: a bacterial infection that affects the throat and can cause difficulty breathing, heart failure, and paralysis. It can spread through contaminated water.
  • Cholera: a bacterial disease that affects the small intestine and can cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration. It is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which is found in contaminated water.
  • Salmonella: a bacterial infection that can cause symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps. It is usually transmitted through contaminated food and water.
  • Legionella: a type of bacteria that can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a severe form of pneumonia. It is usually spread through contaminated water, such as in air conditioning systems.
  • Tetanus: a bacterial infection that can cause muscle stiffness and spasms. It can be transmitted through contaminated water or soil.
  • E. coli: a type of bacteria that can cause diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, and fever. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water.

Other Diseases

In addition to bacterial infections, untreated water can also carry viruses and parasites that can cause other diseases such as:

  • Hepatitis A: a viral infection that affects the liver and can cause symptoms such as jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain. It is usually transmitted through contaminated water or food.
  • Cryptosporidiosis: a parasitic infection that can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and dehydration. It is spread through contaminated water, including swimming pools.
  • Giardiasis: a parasitic infection that can cause diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. It is usually spread through contaminated water.

As you can see untreated water can carry various bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause severe diseases as highlighted above.

It is essential to treat non-mains fed water to eliminate these harmful microorganisms and make it safe for consumption. Therefore, it is essential to take the necessary steps to ensure that the water we drink, and use is safe and free of harmful contaminants.

If you have fitted a UV unit to your water supply, you will need to maintain it to ensure that it operates effectively. If you haven’t replaced the UV lamp or cleaned the quartz sleeve every year you could be running the risk of having untreated water in your taps. UV lamps should be replaced every 12 months or 9,000 hours of use whichever comes first and we suggest cleaning the quartz sleeve at the same time as replacing the lamp, to keep the unit running optimally.

Ensuring proper functionality and the delivery of safe drinking water requires consistent maintenance of your UV system. Reach out for assistance or to schedule a service.

Contact Details: Phone: 01480 355 446 Email: info@uvwaterfilter.co.uk

It might be helpful to explore our informative FAQ section and ‘How to’ instructional video segment for additional support.