The importance of water analysis

Water analysis is the first step in determining the quality of the water you use in your home or commercial
enterprise. Water that is supplied to cities, towns and villages is tested on a regular basis by the local
County or City Council. Private water supplies are never tested by any official body and it is the
responsibility of a homeowner to look after and protect their own water supply.

Well and surface waters are vulnerable to pollution and should be checked for bacteria and nitrates on an
annual basis. Chemical issues such as brown discolouration, corrosion and lime scale are caused by the
natural rock formations in the well. Most chemical issues with water can be corrected by appropriate
treatment.
There are over 50 EU water quality directive tests that can be carried out on water. While some waters
are checked for all parameters, it is more economical to test for parameters that are of particular interest
when an issue arises.
For home water supplies, a set of parameters is picked which examines the typical problems found in
Irish waters. These are bacteria tests including Total and Faecal Coliforms and chemical tests including
pH,dissolved solids,iron, manganese,nitrates,alkalinity and water hardness. We call this set the "General
Assessment". When necessary, additional tests, for example metals such as copper, lead and arsenic
are added. When having a water examination carried out it is always crucial to explain the reason for
testing to the laboratory. The laboratory will recommend the appropriate set of tests for the issue you
want to examine.
As some problems are intermittent it is also important to submit a sample when the problem is present in
the water. A good example of this is where water gets discoloured after heavy rain. If testing this type of
water,it is obviously best to take the sample for testing,when the discolouration is present in the supply.
Water should be tested immediately if it suddenly develops any unusual colour, taste or odour.

Monitoring your water quality by having it tested regularly

is an important part of maintaining a safe and reliable
source.
Testing the water allows a knowledgeable approach to
address the specific problems of a water supply. This
helps ensure that the water source is being properly
protected from potential contamination, and that an
appropriate treatment system is selected and is operating
properly.
It is important to test the suitability of your water quality for
its intended purpose, whether it is livestock watering,
irrigation, spraying, or drinking water. This will assist you in
making informed decisions about your water and how you
use it. The purpose of this section of RWQIT is to provide
water quality testing information that will assist rural
residents using a private water supply. It provides
information on the importance of water quality monitoring
and how you can get it tested.

Why test my water?

Regular testing is necessary to determine specific water quality problems.

To help ensure you are using water suitable for your intended agricultural use.

To help ensure that your drinking water is safe.

To help determine the effectiveness of your water treatment system.

The quality of a water source may change over time, sometimes suddenly. Many changes can go unnoticed as the
water may look, smell and taste the same as it always did.
Monitoring your water quality is necessary to ensure your treatment system is working effectively, providing the best
quality water for your intended use.

12 Most Common Diseases caused by Polluted Water

Water and life go hand in hand. As air is essential, similarly is water to human body. Water in human
body, not only acts as a solvent, but also as a temperature buffer. It is water that makes life on earth
possible. It provide nourishment to all living organisms including plants, animals and microorganisms.
A human body is made up of around 70% water whereas an infant has 80% of it. Every day, one looses
water through metabolism, respiration, bowel movements, and urine. The need of water in a human
body is around 8L a day.
Even being essential, most of the people on earth dont consume water in its purest form. Decreasing
quality of water poses a serious threat to human health. When water is contaminated with bacteria,
protozoa or virus can cause water-related diseases. Almost 1 billion people lack access to improved
supply of water. Recreational users of water are higher risk of potentially fatal diseases. Around 4
million people die due to water based diseases each year. And moreover, there are 780+ millions
without clean water access in world.
The term, Waterborne disease, is most commonly used to signify infections that are caused due to
infected water. Water-related diseases can be of many types including water-borne, water-based,
water-washed or water-vector, categorized on the basis of their transmission path.
So, Here we are, with some most common diseases caused by polluted water.

12. Cholera

Cholera is the most rapidly spreading illness known. Spread by the bacterium, Vibrio Cholerae, the
toxic strain when ingested along with food or water causes this disease. The bacteria can survive even

after excretion for a span of 3 weeks. Seafood are the major surviving place for Vibrio Cholerae. Once a
person carries this bacteria, he can continue to excrete the bacteria for a span of 2-3 weeks. On an
average it takes two to four days to show the symptoms of the disease. On a higher note, it results in
very watery diarrhoea, nausea, cramps and vomiting. More than 50 countries still report cholera to
WHO.
Since it is a water-borne disease, proper hygiene, sanitation and clean drinking water are pre-requisite.
Instant medication can be provided by using oral or intravenous hydration.

11. Campylobacteriosis

The pathogen causing the disease is Campylobactor jejuni bacteria. It spreads mainly due to
contamination of water with infected faeces. Cattles are a major reservoir of this bacterium. Improper
hygiene of the people who work near animals, especially poultry, are major carriers and are most
infected. The symptoms include mild to severe diarrhoea and high fever along with dysentery-like
symptoms.
Infants and elderly people are more vunerable to Campy. In order to prevent, good hygiene, sanitation
and clean drinking water should be maintained. Products derived from animals should be checked of
possible contamination before eating or drinking.

10. Amoebiasis

The parasite causing Amoebiasis is Entamoeba histolytica. The disease is caused when the faecal
matter is ingested of an infected usually from sewage or non-treated drinking water. Amoebiasis
causes abdominal pain along with diarrhoea, fever leading to weight loss. The incubation time of the
parasite is around 2-4 weeks. It can weaken the abdomen and cause perforations in intestines in
severe cases.
Fruits and vegetables when irrigated by contaminated water carry this infection. Because visible
symptoms are only 10%, strict hygiene and sound sanitation practices are necessary. Infected patients
are treated with antiparasitic medication and even surgery in serious cases.

9. Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis or otherwise called as Crypto, is caused by a pathogen cryptosporidium parvum

parasite. It resides in the host body for 2-10 days before showing symptoms of the disease. The
hyperactive parasite reservoir is the faecal matter of animals. Due to poor hygiene, this spreads
among people living together. It is not destroyed by chlorination, neither by filtration nor by boiling.
Drug do not destroy this parasite and early symptomatic treatment is given. Since the infection affects
the gut, proper hygiene and clean drinking water is essential for this disease too.

8. Typhoid Fever

The microbial agent causing Typhoid Fever is Salmonella Typhi. Along with abdominal pain, the patient
suffers from diarrhoea, cramps and chills. Typhoid is also caused by drinking water contaminated by
faeces of an infected. It is a hub of diseases. Person with Typhoid usually get primary severe outcomes
and the leading infection may last up to 3 weeks or more. The patients with Typhoid are usually
diagnosed from their stool, as stool are the major carriers of the pathogen for 4 months of untreated
patients. Food contamination are enhanced by flies. Water contaminated with Salmonella Typhi
consumed in any form may lead to this disease.

7. Gastroenteritis or Gastric Flu

Calicivirus virus when contaminates water causes Gastric Flu. The pathogen takes around 36 hours to
show the symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, cramps and fever. The disease spreads very fast
among the people living together sharing utensils. The ice blocks delivered at your home may be

contaminated as the virus survives freezing. The dehydration suffered should immediately be replaced
especially in infants. Gastric Flu is not caused only by the virus, there are many other sources, thus the
vaccination does not help in this disease. Drinking treated water and maintaining good personal
hygiene is the prevention.

6. Shigellosis

Otherwise called, Shigella Dysentery is caused by a number of species in the genera Shigella
Salmonella. The contaminated water when ingested causes sudden abdominal pain, fever, diarrhoea,
cramps and may lead to bloody stool. Kidney of the patient is affected due to decreased urine
production. Severity may lead to hospitalization. It spreads from person-to-person contact with
symptoms usually lasting longer.
Rehydration of fluids is necessary. Special care and hygiene must be maintained by the food providers.
Boiled water or disinfectants may be used for water purification.

5. Giardiasis

It is the infection caused by Giardia Lamblia parasite. The parasite resides for 1 to 2 weeks before
showing the symptoms of excess gas with abdominal pain. The infected people almost show no
symptoms but may be lead to diarrhoea and weight loss. Inappropriate sanitation causes
contamination when excreta of infected person or animals comes in contact with drinking water. The

disease is diagnosed from stool sample of the infected. Children are usually prone to the disease.
Healthy beings usually recover faster than children. Medicinal treatment effective against the parasite
are available easily. Effective hygiene and clean drinking water may prevent.

4. Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A Virus pathogen, causing HA is transmitted through contaminated food and water. Major of
the patients show acute symptoms in around 48 days, but fever, fatigue, diarrhoea, nausea may be
seen in infected patients. Milk products and water are the major carriers. Proper hygiene and
maintaining good sanitation are itself a prevention.

3. SARS

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, caused by the microbial agent, coronavirus, manifests itself in
untreated water. Person infected with SARS usually gastrointestinal problems with fever and sore
throat. It is one of the most common infection spread by contaminated water.

2. Adenovirus Infection

It is caused by Adenoviridae virus that contaminates drinking water. It resides in the host for around 59 days before showing the symptoms. The infection spreads only in the part effected and may vary
along with time.

1. E.Coli Infection
Some specified strains of Escherichia Coli bacteria, commonly known as E.Coli causes E.Coli Infection.
The infected may show symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and even bloody
diarrhoea. The bacteria takes around a week to show the symptoms. The loss of fluids may cause
severe infection to people with weak immune system. Aged people and very young should follow
preventions as the severity increases in them. Packed dairy products and juices can carry them and
may contaminate the body with the bacteria.