Unclean water poses a serious risk for waterborne diseases. Despite advances in modern technology, these illnesses still affect millions of people every year, particularly those living in developing countries. Knowing how to protect yourself and your family from these dangerous illnesses is important.
Water contamination can occur anytime during distribution, including within the home itself. This poses a risk for waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery. Waterborne diseases can be a serious issue, but they are also preventable. When it comes to this, prevention is key. Here are some ways to protect yourself and your family from waterborne diseases at home.
Water Quality Testing
The best way to ensure your drinking water is safe is to have it tested regularly. Regular testing should be done for all drinking water types, whether from a public source or your private well. This ensures that no contaminants or bacteria are present in the water you drink and use daily. If contaminants are found, corrective action must be taken immediately by either treating the water or replacing the pipe system altogether.
A professional pipe cleaning service can help with this process. They will inspect your pipes for any blockages or corrosion that could potentially lead to contamination and provide solutions for any such issues they may find. Professional service will be able to help you with pigs pipeline cleaning, which is a process of using high-pressure pigs to inspect and clean pipes. This will help ensure that your pipes are free of any debris or buildup that could cause water contamination. This also helps ensure your pipes remain clean and free of harmful substances. It also improves the longevity of your pipes, so you don’t have to worry about them worsening over time.
Regular Maintenance
It’s also important to regularly maintain your plumbing system and fixtures to reduce the risk of contamination. This includes flushing out old water from pipes and inspecting them for any signs of damage or wear and tear. You should also regularly check all faucets, sinks, toilets, showers, etc., for any signs of rust or discoloration. These can indicate that there may be an issue with the quality of your water supply.
Additionally, if there is ever an issue with the taste or smell of the water from a certain fixture in your home, it would be best to get it checked out immediately. This could indicate a potential problem with contamination in your pipes or fixtures. Here are other signs that there are issues with your water:
- Cloudy or strange color of the water
- Sediments in the water, like sand or soil
- Discoloration of clothes after washing with the water
- Visible growth or particles floating in the water
If you notice one or more of these signs in your water supply, it would be best to contact a professional service to have them investigate the issue. They will determine if corrective action needs to be taken.
Install Water Filters
Water filters are essential when it comes to protecting yourself from waterborne diseases. Many filters contain activated carbon, which can remove impurities from tap water, such as heavy metals and chemicals like chlorine and lead. If you’re concerned about the tap water quality in your area, invest in a good quality filter to ensure that you always have access to clean, healthy drinking water.
You can choose from various filters, such as faucet-mounted, pitcher-style, and under-sink.
Faucet-mounted filter: This type of filter attaches directly to your faucet and filters out impurities from the water supply
Pitcher-style filters: These types of filters are designed to fit in a pitcher, allowing you to quickly and easily filter your drinking water
Under-sink filters: Under-sink filters are installed underneath the sink and provide filtered drinking water without having to use a separate pitcher or faucet-mounted filter
Make sure to follow the instructions on how to properly maintain and replace your filter cartridges regularly to ensure that your water is always safe for consumption. You can also opt for more advanced systems. You can install whole-house water filtration systems that filter all the water in your home, making it safe for drinking and bathing.
Boil Drinking Water
Boiling drinking water before consuming it is another excellent way to protect yourself against contamination. Even if you are using a filtration system. However, if you are still skeptical about the safety of your water supply, boiling it is a great way to ensure that all bacteria and contaminants are removed. Boiling removes about 99% of all contaminants. It should be done for at least five minutes before drinking or using the water for cooking.
By following these tips, you can help ensure that your water supply remains clean and free of contamination. The key is to be proactive in monitoring and maintaining your plumbing system and ensuring that you use the right filtration systems for your specific needs. With a little effort, you can rest assured knowing that you are doing your part to protect yourself and your family from waterborne diseases.
