7 Examples of Harmful Bacteria Found in Water

You might not be aware, but there are millions of invisible creatures living and thriving in the water your drink. It is bacteria. While some bacteria is useful and harmless, there are bad bacteria that cause disease and illness. Assuming water in your tap has been properly sanitized and disinfected is not always wise. Click To Tweet Water systems degrade over time, older pipes can house bacteria, and your water might have dangerous pathogens.

Harmful Bacteria in Your Water

Bacteria are typically single-celled organisms and are a natural component of water. Here are seven types of bacteria to be concerned about as you fill up your next glass of water:

1) Escherichia Coli

Escherichia Coli (also known as E. Coli) can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea if consumed in contaminated water. Symptoms usually appear within one to eight days.

2) Campylobacter Jejuni

Drinking water contaminated with Campylobacter jejuni can cause infections with symptoms of cramping, diarrhea, fever, and pain. Symptoms of infection appear between two and ten days after exposure.

3) Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a serious infection and can be present in your drinking water. Symptoms include dark urine, jaundice, stomach pain, fever, and fatigue. Hepatitis A has a lengthy incubation period and symptoms might not appear until 28 days after exposure.

4) Giardia Lamblia

Giardia Lamblia is actually a parasite which causes the infection, giardiasis. Symptoms include nausea, cramps, gas, and diarrhea. The incubation period for giardiasis is two weeks.

5) Salmonella

Salmonella is a common pathogen that causes chills, fever, headache, diarrhea, and pain. Salmonella contaminates water and food and symptoms occur in one to three days after consuming.

6) Legionella Pneumophila

Legionella pneumophila can cause serious bacterial infections known as Legionnaires disease. Some symptoms of legionnaires infection are fever, shortness of breath, cough, and muscle aches. Legionnaires is very serious and usually involves hospitalization or can even result in death.

7) Cryptosporidium

Cryptosporidium is actually a protozoan which works similar to a parasite. It causes severe and painful diarrhea and spreads through contaminated drinking water. Cryptosporidium can occur even in a city with clean water, and testing services are required to determine water quality and if these protozoa are thriving in your drinking water.

Managing Harmful Bacteria

Even though cities and towns put their water through filtration, it doesn’t mean your water is safe from these harmful bacteria. According to the World Health Organization, at least 2 billion people globally drink water contaminated by feces, and over 500,000 people a year die from related diarrhea issues. To help keep you and your family safe and drinking clean water, it is important to have it tested by a microbial testing lab to check for harmful bacteria.

To learn more about how you can get your water tested and ensure you and your family are drinking the best quality water possible, Contact Us.

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