You are probably wondering “How can this happen?” and “Is someone doing this on purpose?” To answer both questions, we simply have to refer to a CDC report that has estimated an “estimate of waterborne illnesses associated with public drinking water, with an average of 16.4 million annual endemic cases of waterborne illnesses.” These cases do not include cases associated with non-public drinking water systems, bottled water, recreational water, and non-drinking water.”
We are all aware of the efforts our government is making to keep our water supply free of contaminants and healthy enough for our consumption, but clearly, as the CDC report states, tests have been done and contaminants have been found in the other end of the narrow Water supply monitored with strict compliance and standards, that other end is our homes.
An article on how cysts (Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Entamoeba, and Toxoplasma) are resistant to chlorine so they can easily (and often do) pass through the municipal water disinfection process. It causes gastrointestinal diseases, even death for the weakest people. Source of contaminants: Animal or human excrement, contaminated food. Acceptable level in water: ZERO. NSF Standard 53 covers the removal of cysts. (Most whole house water filters are only standard 42 for chlorine and sediment.)
The CDC defines Cryptosporidium – (Cryptosporidiosis) as a diarrheal disease caused by microscopic parasites, Cryptosporidium, that can live in the intestines of humans and animals and is transmitted in the feces of an infected person or animal. Both the disease and the parasite are commonly known as “Crypto”. The parasite is protected by an outer shell that allows it to survive outside the body for long periods of time and makes it highly resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants. Over the past 2 decades, Crypto has been recognized as one of the most common causes of waterborne illness (recreational water and drinking water) in humans in the United States. The parasite is found in all regions of the United States and throughout the world.
Although our watershed and reservoir staff protect the quality of our water supply, once these standards are distributed and all the measures that agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) no longer enforce, our water is now vulnerable to contaminants from broken pipes and even old decaying plumbing systems.
Given all these facts and figures, it would be remiss if we don’t take some form of action to prevent the spread of these contaminants; The health of our children, our parents and future generations depends on us. And it wouldn’t take us long, we can start by just getting the message across and raising awareness. We can do our own research and look for answers, or even the simplest act of filtering our water source could make a world of difference. No one should be left in the dark, and we all deserve the chance to have a refreshing drink from our tap without worrying about the consequences.