If you live in the United States, you may not be worried about waterborne diseases. Compared to other countries, the U.S. has a safe drinking water system. Yet, there are about 4-32 million instances of acute gastrointestinal illness in the country each year. The reason these kinds of diseases stand out is their ability to quickly infect many people. In reality, it’s better to stay on the safe side when it comes to health. So, businesses need to be proactive in protecting against these diseases.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set limits on over 90 contaminants in water. Additionally, the EPA’s guide includes practices and testing timelines that water systems must observe.
A few waterborne diseases/contaminants to protect against:
Giardia— a parasite that causes giardisis; often found in rivers, lakes, and groundwater
Cryptosporidium— a parasite that’s most often spread through recreational or drinking water
Legionella— can cause a serious type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease; often found in hot water tanks, hot tubs, and freshwater
E-coli— normally live in animal and human intestines; can cause mild to severe infection
Arsenic— can be found in private wells; can cause cancer and skin lesions
Chromium— the chemical Erin Brockovich famously fought to protect citizens from; can lead to allergic reaction and cancer
Mercury— can leak into underground water sources; can cause kidney damage
How to protect against these contaminants?
Luckily, there are several options to protect yourself and your business from disease. Certainly, your best bet is to get rid of these organisms before they can harm anyone. First, chlorination is the most common way to disinfect water. This method is affordable and very effective. Additionally, water tank disinfection is a popular way to kill remaining parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Contact us to find out what we can do to help you maintain your business’s safety.
