Guide To Bacteria And Algae In Drinking Water

The Effects of Bacteria and Algae in Drinking Water (And How to Avoid Them)

Many of us assume that the drinking water that we get from public water systems has been sufficiently treated to ensure that it’s free of bacteria, algae, and other contaminants. And generally, our assumption would be correct. The public water systems are designed to provide safe water for our needs and they’re regulated by the EPA’s Water Quality Standards. Sometimes however, public water systems can become contaminated due to events such as flooding and harmful algal outbreaks.

If you’re not reliant on the public water system and have your own private well, you need to be even more aware of potential contaminants and their treatment. The EPA’s standards don’t apply to privately owned wells and the quality of the water from your well is your responsibility.

This guide tells you everything you need to know about the contaminants that can find their way into your drinking water and how to deal with them.

Common Bacteria In Drinking Water

The most common harmful bacteria found in water supplies and their effects are as follows:

E. Coli

Escherichia Coli is a subgroup of coliform bacteria that originate from human and animal fecal matter that can cause illness. Symptoms usually appear within 7 days of exposure and can include cramping, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

Campylobacter Jejuni

Campylobacter Jejuni’s main origin is from uncooked poultry, but can also contaminate water. Infection symptoms usually appear within 10 days of exposure and include fever, cramping, pain, and diarrhea. The CDC estimates that 1.5 million illnesses are caused each year in the United States by Campylobacter Jejuni. Fortunately, most people recover from Campylobacter Jejuni infection on their own.

Salmonella

This common bacteria lives in human and animal intestines and passes on through fecal matter. Symptoms occur within 3 days of exposure and can include headache, fever, diarrhea, pain, and chills. Most people recover on their own from Salmonella infection within 7 days.

Legionella Pneumophila

Known as Legionnaire's disease, this bacterial infection is fortunately quite rare. Symptoms usually include coughing, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. Treatment normally requires hospitalization, as Legionnaire’s disease is potentially very serious.

Blue-green Algae

The most common harmful algae that we get exposed to from our water systems is actually a type of bacteria called cyanobacteria. Commonly known as blue-green algae, excess growth on the surface of lakes and reservoirs results in the release of cyanotoxins called a Harmful Algal Bloom. The main cause of these blooms is nutrient pollutants from farming and wastewater systems.

There are a large number of possible health effects from cyanobacteria contamination of water that can include throat and skin irritation, diarrhea, vomiting, kidney damage, as well as respiratory and neurological damage.

Municipal treatment of drinking water for cyanobacteria is expensive and unfortunately this cost is normally passed on to the consumer.

It’s worth knowing that there are no federal regulations for cyanobacteria under the Clean Water Act (CWA) nor are there any enforceable standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The EPA is in the process of proposing new regulations under the CWA and enforceable standards are on their priority list of potential concern.

How to Avoid the Effects of Bacteria and Algae in Drinking Water

Now that we’ve had a look at the effects of bacteria and algae in drinking water, let’s have a look at how to avoid them.

If you suspect that your water is contaminated, the first thing you should do is get your water tested at a state-certified laboratory. These laboratories will be able to provide comprehensive testing of your water and advise you of any contaminants and their concentrations.

Another good resource to look at are the Consumer Confidence Reports on the EPA website. These are the annual drinking water reports from local water suppliers that the EPA requires they deliver to their consumers.

Determining what, if any, contaminants are in your drinking water will point you in the right direction for an effective solution.

Getting your water tested by a state-certified laboratory is also an important first step if you are looking to install a water treatment or filtration system of your own. This is important because the type of water treatment or filtration system that is best for you will depend on what you are needing to remove from the water.

Filtration

A filtration system can be very effective at removing microorganisms, such as bacteria and algae, and this can be one of the simplest systems to install. Filtration systems can be as simple as a pitcher with a disposable filter or as complex as a whole-house system with filters that require regular changing.

The simplest filtration systems rely only on the pore size of the filter. Using a UV filtration system offers more comprehensive protection because the UV breaks down bacterial cell walls and helps to kill any bacteria in the water.

Distillation

Distillation systems boil the water and then collect the vapor. Boiling is often effective at killing bacteria and algae.

Disinfection

You can use various disinfectants to treat water, with chlorine being one of the most common. While disinfectants can be effective, they may leave unintended chemical traces in the water that alter the taste. Additionally, some bacteria are resistant to certain disinfectants so they have no effect.

Private Well

A private well can be a great way to take control of your home’s water supply and quality. You can apply more stringent water control and treatment of the water from your private well than from the municipal water supply. This is a good option if you don’t believe that the EPA standards are high enough, particularly when combined with a filtration system.

Before having a private well drilled, it’s very important to have the local ground water tested to ensure that there are no contaminants or problems that will impact the viability of your well.

Keep Your Drinking Water Clean

While it’s important to be aware of the effects of bacteria and algae in our drinking water, it’s easy to see that there are numerous effective ways to avoid these harmful effects. Armed with this knowledge, you can now make informed decisions that fit both your goals and budget.

Need help with your well, water supply or plumbing? Billy is here to help you find the service providers you need to ensure you always have clean drinking water.