" I think the problem today is that turning on your tap is an act of faith, and I'm not sure

that that act of faith is particularly wellplaced If you drink from the tap, there are several recent studies you should know about because they may change the way you think about your water
(David Ozonoff, Chairman, Environmental Health Department, Boston University)

By: Muhammad Rehan Tahir

WHO: 3.4 million premature deaths each year from waterborne diseases 1.9 million from diarrhea 1.5 million illnesses 370,000 sicknesses

Contamination of drinking water sources by sewage can occur from raw sewage overflow septic tanks leaking sewer lines land application of sludge partially treated waste water

Sewage itself is a complex mixture and can contain many types of contaminants. The greatest threats posed to water resources arise from contamination by bacteria, nitrates, metals, trace quantities of toxic materials, and salts.

NONPOINT SOURCES

Rural homes

Urban streets

Cropland Animal feedlot

Suburban development

POINT SOURCES Factory

Wastewater treatment plant

Water Quality
Good Slightly polluted Moderately polluted Heavily polluted Gravely polluted

DO (ppm) at 20C
89

6.78
4.5 6.7 44.5

Below 4

Seepage overflow into drinking water sources can cause disease from the ingestion of microorganisms such as: E coli Giardia Cryptosporidium Hepatitis A Helminths

Microbial Pathogens Organics Inorganic Radioactive Elements

Pathogens in drinking water are serious health risks. Pathogens are disease-producing microorganisms, which include bacteria such as giardia lamblia, viruses, and parasites. They get into drinking water when the water source is contaminated by sewage. They can cause gastroenteritis, salmonella infection, dysentery, shigellosis, hepatitis, and giardiasis.

This group of contaminants includes: Trihalomthanes (THMs), which are formed when chlorine in treated drinking water combines with naturally occurring organic matter. Pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides. Volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), which include solvents, degreasers, adhesives, gasoline additives, and fuels additives. Some of the common VOCs are: benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), styrene, toluene, and vinyl chloride. Possible chronic health effects include cancer, central nervous system disorders, liver and kidney damage, reproductive disorders, and birth defects.

These contaminants include toxic metals like arsenic, barium, chromium, lead, mercury, and silver. These metals can get into your drinking water from natural sources, industrial processes, and the materials used in your plumbing system. Toxic metals are regulated in public water supplies because they can cause acute poisoning, cancer, and other health effects. Nitrate is another inorganic contaminant. The nitrate in sewage can contaminate water. Nitrate has been associated with "blue baby syndrome" in infants.

Radon is a radioactive contaminant that results from the decay of uranium in soils and rocks. It is usually more of a health concern when it enters a home as a soil gas than when it occurs in water supplies. Radon in air is associated with lung cancer.

Waterborne disease can be caused by protozoa, viruses, or bacteria, many of which are intestinal parasites This is likely to occur where public and private drinking water systems get their water from surface waters (rain, creeks, rivers, lakes etc.), which can be contaminated by infected animals or people. Runoff from landfills, septic fields, sewer pipes, residential or industrial developments can also sometimes contaminate surface water.

This has been the cause of many dramatic outbreaks of faecal-oral diseases such as cholera and typhoid. The germs in the faeces can cause the diseases by even slight contact and transfer. This contamination may occur due to floodwaters, water runoff from landfills, septic fields, and sewer pipes.

Typhoid Dysentery Cholera Infectious hepatitis Amoebic dysentery Gastroenteritis Cryptosporidiosis

Water, sanitation and hygiene have important impacts on both health and disease. Water-related diseases like schistosomiasis ,malaria and others such as legionellosis carried by aerosols containing certain micro-organisms. Water also contributes to health, for example through hygiene.

Types of Treatment Screening Adsorption Aeration Flocculation Sedimentation Filtration (including membranes)

Type of Treatment Coagulation (for better filtration) Disinfection Water softening Oxidation (via aeration )

Use living organisms to bring about chemical change

The only way to break the continued transmission is to improve the peoples hygienic behavior and to provide them with certain basic needs: drinking water, washing and bathing facilities and sanitation.

Clean water is a pre-requisite for reducing the spread of water-borne diseases. It is well recognized that the prevalence of water-borne diseases can be greatly reduced by provision of clean drinking water and safe disposal of faeces.

Water is disinfected to kill any pathogens that may be present in the water supply and to prevent them from growing again in the distribution systems. Disinfection is then used to prevent the growth of pathogenic organisms and to protect public health and the choice of the disinfect depends upon the individual water quality and water supply system.

As people hear about the possibility of contaminants in their drinking water, they worry about potential health effects. Water supplies once considered to be pure may have various contaminants, often from natural sources. These are usually at levels below those considered to be harmful. If you are concerned, test your water. For more information on water quality, testing, and treatment, contact the Extension Center or health department in your county or your physician.

Home Water Quality and Safety. Haman, Dorata Z. and Boucher, Del B. Florida Cooperative Ex tension Service. University of Florida. Pub. No. 14M-86.1986. Health Effects of Drinking Water Contaminants. Stewart, Judith C., Lemley, Ann T., Hogan, Sharon I. and Weismiller, Richard A. Cornell University and the University of Maryland. Fact Sheet 2.1989. Drinking Water: Present Problems, Future Directions . Nutrition Clinics. Woodruff, Sandra L. Vol. 5, No. 2,1990: 1-21.