Tips to keep waterborne diseases away this summer

Water: Take a safe sip

Tips to keep waterborne diseases away this summer

As the mercury soars, so does the prevalence of waterborne infections like typhoid, cholera, hepatitis and diarrhoea. The World Health Organisation attributes 88 per cent of the four billion cases of diarrhea that occur annuallyto unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and hygiene.

The water we use at homes comes primarily from underground bore well tanks or municipality supply. Most of the tap, underground and well water is not safe for drinking due to heavy industrial and environmental pollution, and has impurities of microbial (bacteria, viruses etc.) and chemical (lead, nitrate, arsenic, chromium and fluoride) nature. Toxic bacteria, chemicals and heavy metals pollute our natural water sources.

Whether we receive water from a bore well or a community water system, it must be treated at the point of use. A good water filtration system installed in our home is the only way to ensure the safety of drinking water. Water from community water system is commonly treated/purified at home level by boiling, filtration, purification or reverse osmosis. The aim for safe drinking water should be to minimise the count of microbes, chemical toxins and pesticides, and retain useful minerals like calcium and magnesium.

Boiling is the most commonly used approach to disinfect water at household level. Boiling will kill most types of disease-causing organisms but does not remove heavy metals and minerals. Boil the water for five to 10 minutes, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers and dispensing devices such as tap or spigot. It is further recommended that boiled or heat-treated water be consumed soon after it has cooled and preferably within the same day. This is because of the potential for microbial re-contamination during prolonged storage.

Filters using UV light are also used for water treatment and purification. Filters use thick, porous materials such as carbon or ceramic to trap particles as water flows through the material. Activated carbon filters also remove organic chemicals and heavy metals. UV disinfection has the advantages of being effective in deactivating waterborne pathogens and being inexpensive as it doesn't require the use of chemicals, odours or toxic chemical by-products.

Reverse osmosis, a new method of water purification, has taken over traditional methods of boiling, chlorination or filtration. Reverse osmosis water purification systems can remove 90-99 per cent of all contaminants to deliver healthy drinking water. But along with removing the unwanted chemicals, microbes and compounds, it also takes away minerals.

Such de-mineralised water has been associated with several health risks including:

* Disturbed mineral homeostasis and other body functions
* Poor mineral intake, especially calcium and magnesium
* Low intake of other essential elements and micro-nutrients

Many even use bottled water on a routine basis. The two biggest selling types of bottled water are spring water and purified water. Purified water is the most highly treated and closely regulated bottled water product.
Drinking water should contain minimum levels of certain essential minerals. Bottled water with minerals, conforming to standards is better than de-mineralised water.

Remember:

• Water must be treated to avoid any waterborne infections.
• When on the move, purified mineral water bottle is any day better than regular tap water.
• It is a good idea to sanitise storage tanks routinely with bleaching powder.
• Water must be stored in PET bottles as chemicals from cheaper plastic like PVC can leach harmful constituents into the water. However, PET bottles require periodic replacement because they can be scratched and they become deformed at higher temperatures.
• Do not re-use packaged water bottles for storing water.

Source: Ishi Khosla/Indian Express