Water is crucial for every living being on this planet. For a better quality of life, preserving clean and safe drinking water is a must. However, contamination hinders this endeavor and contributes to poor water quality.
Sources of water-contaminating substances are usually groundwater, sewage systems, water treatment and distribution systems, and industrial and agricultural materials. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), drinking water contaminants can be physical, biological, chemical, and radiological.
Sediments and organic materials are physical contaminants that affect the appearance of the liquid. On the other hand, bacteria, parasites, viruses, protozoa, and other microorganisms are considered biological contaminants. Chemical pollutants include salts, metals, nitrogen, pesticides, and human and animal waste. Lastly, radioactive wastes include plutonium, uranium, and cesium.
Some of these contaminants may be considered benign. However, water pollutants can be potentially dangerous if ingested at toxic levels. Here are the harmful effects of bad water quality:
Diseases Caused by Microbial Pollution
Bacteria, viruses, and parasites cause many water-related diseases, with typhoid fever and cholera being the most common. Other illnesses caused by microbes include diarrhea, giardia, dysentery, E. coli, salmonella, hepatitis A, poliomyelitis, gastroenteritis, and some cancers.
Diseases Caused by Chemical Exposure
Long-term exposure to chemicals can be damaging to your health. A high concentration of heavy metals like mercury, lead, and arsenic in your body can lead to cancer and other chronic diseases. Other health problems you might get include diabetes, cerebral palsy, dermatitis, neurological issues, and reproductive issues, to name a few.
Adverse Environmental Impact
Aside from people, poor water quality can have detrimental consequences on the environment. Animals can get illnesses when they drink from polluted freshwater sources like lakes, ponds, and rivers. They can potentially spread the disease to other creatures and even humans.
Similarly, plants can also be affected by contaminated water. Eutrophication occurs when tremendous amounts of nutrients like nitrogen, ammonia, and phosphorus permeate into the water. This leads to excessive plant and algae growth that decreases oxygen levels and sunlight exposure for aquatic animals. As a result, this process can negatively impact the ecosystem.
Now that you’ve learned the dreadful repercussions of low-quality water, ensure what you’re drinking is safe and contaminant-free through water testing. Get this for free at Adams Water Conditioning in Ocala, Florida. Contact us today to learn more about our water analysis service.
