In the pursuit of healthier living, clean and pure drinking water is considered to be critical. However, to find the best water purifier for your needs you need to browse through a tunnel of options.
Water purification technologies like Reverse Osmosis (RO) effectively eliminate impurities like bacteria, viruses, chemicals, protozoa, and pesticides. On the other hand, Ultraviolet (UV) disinfects water, providing you with water as pure and safe as water boiled for 20 minutes.
In this article, we will explore common water contaminants and the essential role of water purifiers in detail.
Types of Contaminants in Water
There are several types of common water contaminants, including:
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Microorganisms:
In the world of water contamination, microorganisms are a persistent threat. Among them, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and cysts are common microorganisms that find their way into water sources through a variety of avenues.
Sewage and improper sanitation practices introduce bacteria and viruses into the water supply, often stemming from human activities in densely populated areas. Animal waste runoff from farms and urban areas contributes further to microbial contamination.
The consequences are dire, as these invisible invaders can trigger waterborne diseases that range from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to diseases like cholera, typhoid, and polio, posing significant risks to your health.
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Chemical Contaminants:
Chemicals, whether natural or synthetic, present another facet of water contamination. Industrial processes release various substances into water bodies, from heavy metals like mercury and lead to harmful organic compounds.
In agricultural settings, the excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers results in runoff that carries these chemicals into water sources. Even improper waste disposal, often stemming from household products, contributes to the problem.
The impact on human health can be immediate or long-term.
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Suspended Solids:
Suspended solids, though visible and seemingly benign, can profoundly impact water quality and ecosystems.
Erosion of soil from construction sites, deforestation, and poorly managed agricultural lands introduces these particles into water bodies. Along with sediment, organic matter like decaying leaves also contributes.
Effects of Contaminated Water on Human Health
The direct consequences of consuming contaminated water on human health underscore the critical need for safe water sources and effective sanitation measures.
1. Typhoid:
Propagated by the bacterium Salmonella typhi, typhoid fever is borne from the consumption of water or food tainted with faecal matter containing this bacteria. 1 The symptoms are debilitating, including high fever, intense abdominal pain, and profound weakness. If left untreated, typhoid can lead to severe complications and even death.
2. Diarrhoea:
Contaminated water remains a prime catalyst for diarrheal diseases, with microbial contamination at its root.2 Bacteria, viruses, and parasites are the culprits behind diarrhoea, resulting in profuse watery stools, dehydration, and the potential for fatal outcomes—especially among children—due to rapid fluid loss.
3. Hepatitis A & E:
Hepatitis A and E viruses, readily transmitted through contaminated water and food, assail the liver with vigour.3 Jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and nausea characterise these infections. Hepatitis A & E can lead to prolonged illness, impacting daily life and potentially causing long-term liver damage.
4. Cholera:
The bacterium Vibrio cholerae orchestrates cholera's severe toll, infiltrating water and food supplies.4 The aftermath is marked by copious watery diarrhoea, severe dehydration, and imbalances in essential electrolytes. Given its exponential contagious potential, cholera can trigger outbreaks, particularly where sanitation practices are insufficient.
5. Nausea, Intestinal Cramps, and Stomach Pains:
Consuming water contaminated with various pathogens—bacteria, viruses, or parasites—can inflict uncomfortable symptoms, from nausea to gut-wrenching intestinal cramps and stomach pains. Gastrointestinal turmoil becomes an unfortunate hallmark of waterborne illnesses. 5
6. Dehydration:
The afflictions from waterborne diseases, embodied by symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting, drive the body into dehydration's treacherous territory. Dehydration, characterised by an imbalance between fluid intake and loss, can become critical, prompting life-threatening consequences if left untreated.
Role of Water Purifiers in Protecting Health
Water purifiers play a crucial role in protecting human health by ensuring the provision of safe and clean drinking water. The water purifier technology is designed to remove or significantly reduce various contaminants that pose health risks to individuals.
Let’s take a look at how different purification methods protect from contaminants.
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Filtration:
Filtration involves the passage of water through a physical barrier, such as a mesh or porous material. This barrier traps suspended particles, sediment, and larger impurities present in the water. As water flows through the water filter, these particles are physically obstructed and left behind on the filter media. Filtration is particularly effective for removing visible particles, improving water clarity, and preventing larger contaminants from entering the drinking water supply.
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Activated Carbon Filtration:
Activated carbon, with its porous structure, is highly effective at adsorbing organic compounds, chlorine, VOCs, and certain taste and odour compounds.
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Reverse Osmosis (RO):
Reverse osmosis is a process where water is forced through a semipermeable membrane under pressure. This membrane has tiny pores that allow only water molecules to pass through while blocking larger molecules and ions.
As a result, dissolved salts, minerals, heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, and other impurities are left behind and separated from the purified water. The purified water that passes through the membrane is collected for consumption.
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Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection:
UV disinfection uses ultraviolet rays at 253.7 nm to kill viruses and bacteria. This disinfection process is fast and safe and delivers you water that is safe and pure as boiled water.
Common contaminants, from microorganisms to chemicals, threaten the safety of drinking water. Water purifiers stand as effective barriers against this peril.
Employing methods like filtration, activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, and UV disinfection, ensures the removal of impurities, from visible particles to pathogens.
Quality Assurance and Product Range at Eureka Forbes
At Aquaguard, we are deeply committed to ensuring that our products not only meet stringent quality standards but also deliver excellent performance and user-friendly experiences. Our line of water purifiers for homes and commercial use is a testament to this commitment. With a strong focus on your well-being, environmental preservation, and versatile functionality, we strive to maximise the benefits you receive from our products.
Our diverse selection includes a variety of water purifiers to suit different needs. From Active Copper Water Purifiers to Alkaline Water Purifiers, Hot Water Purifiers, Stainless Steel Water Purifiers, and RO Water Purifiers, we have a solution for every requirement.
You can refer to our comprehensive water purifier buying guide to make an informed choice. This resource will ease any uncertainty you might have before purchasing, enabling you to find the ideal water purifier for your needs.
If you're ready to take the proactive step of safeguarding your loved ones and ensuring access to clean, healthy water, we invite you to explore our range of water purifiers. Each product is a reflection of our dedication to quality, innovation, and satisfaction. Make the right choice today and experience the Aquaguard difference.
References-
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World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, March 30). Typhoid. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/typhoid/ Accessed on 15/02/2024.
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World Health Organization: WHO. (2017, May 2). Diarrhoeal disease. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diarrhoeal-disease/ Accessed on 15/02/2024.
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Hepatitis A and E. (2022, June 10). Johns Hopkins Medicine.https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/hepatitis/hepatitis-a/ Accessed on 15/02/2024.
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World Health Organization: WHO & World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, December 11). Cholera. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cholera/ Accessed on 15/02/2024.
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National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2014). Title of the article. PubMed Central (PMC). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4077002// Accessed on 15/02/2024.
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