Clean, running water forms the backbone of modern society. Without it, people’s lives are at risk. But could there still be some unwelcome visitors lurking in your tap water?

What is living in your drinking water?

You can find both viruses and bacteria in your tap water, but not all are of concern. Not every bacteria and virus is pathogenic. Pathogenic strains get closely monitored and regulated through water treatment. 

Bacteria are single-celled, microscopic organisms not visible to the human eye. They divide exponentially. Given enough time, they form a large mass, referred to as a biofilm, that grows on pipe walls in treatment centres. Eventually, the growth collapses under its weight, releasing the bacteria into the water.

In optimal conditions, Escherichia coli can divide every twenty minutes. Within 24 hours it can grow from a single cell to 47,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 cells! 

Some strains of E. Coli are dangerous and can cause pneumonia and diarrhoea. When drinking water's contaminated with animal waste or sewage, the bacteria enters the waterways resulting in outbreaks. 

What contaminants are in water?

One cause for concern in water is legionella bacteria. It thrives in warm water, between 20 and 45 °C, and an outbreak can have deadly consequences. If it becomes aerosolised and is subsequently inhaled, such as in the shower, it results in Legionnaires disease. Without immediate treatment, this can cause pneumonia. 

Legionella grows in incrustations along pipe walls and forms a biofilm. If it entered the water column, it could infect hundreds of people with a life-threatening disease.

Knowing CFU to understand your water

In low numbers, pathogens like legionella are harmless. The amount of bacteria present is measured using a colony-forming unit (CFU). It’s an estimate of the number of bacteria in a sample that can divide and replicate. It’s recommended to stay under 100 ml per CFU. 

When the number of CFU in a sample rises, it indicates current water treatment methods are failing. Urgent assessment of the situation is essential. 

The benefits of having clean water

Dirty water contains a plethora of pathogens with deadly consequences. Every year over three million people die from water-related diseases. Despite this, over two billion people still do not have access to clean water. Untreated water can host diseases like typhoid, polio, dysentery and cholera. 

Clean drinking water is good for your body. It maintains your body fluids, enabling you to transport nutrients, regulates your body temperature and helps digest your food. It’s great for your skin and is the best anti-ageing product on the market! It also boosts your energy levels.

Summary

There are many organisms trying to make a home inside your drinking water. While they’re not all dangerous, it’s important to monitor and control their populations. With effective water treatment, tap water is reliable and safe to drink.