Bacterial
control
Micro-organisms
include tiny bacteria, viruses and cysts that exist in nature and can
survive in the water delivered to your home for
bathing, washing and, of course drinking. Private water supplies may
require treatment if bacteria are found to be present. Although most are harmless,
exposure to dangerous micro-organisms can result in severe illness.
Especially vulnerable are elderly people, those with weakened immune
systems, and children.
There are a wide range of bacteria that can cause problems some of the common ones are listed below:
E.
coli causes gastroenteritis in
humans, there are four recognized classes of enterovirulent E. coli
(collectively referred to as the EEC group). Among these is the enterohemorrhagic
(EHEC)
strain designated E. coli O157:H7. E. coli
is a normal inhabitant of the intestines of all animals, including
humans. When aerobic culture methods are used, E. coli
is the dominant species found in feaces. Normally E. coli
serves a useful function in the body by suppressing the growth of
harmful bacterial species and by synthesizing appreciable amounts of
vitamins. A minority of E. coli strains are capable of
causing human illness by several different mechanisms.. The illness
is characterized by severe cramping (abdominal pain) and diarrhoea
which is initially watery but becomes grossly bloody. Occasionally
vomiting occurs. Fever is either low-grade or absent. The illness is
usually self-limited and lasts for an average of 8 days. Some
individuals exhibit watery diarrhea only. See Ultraviolet water
treatment and chlorination.(See water treatment and Ultra violet)
Legionella are gram negative bacilli
(bacteria) which do not
grow on routine media used in Bacteriology. Legionella
pneumophila have always been
found in non-marine aquatic environments such as lakes and ponds.
The optimum growth temperature range for this bacteria is 20-45
degrees Celsius. It thrives in areas where there are high
concentrations of rust, algae, and organic particles; for these
supply the bacteria with a source of iron as well a nitrogen.
Legionella bacteria are transmitted to the lungs of human beings
through a process called aerosilization. The most common devices
that have been found to transmit the bacteria are air conditioning
cooling towers; however, there are many other devices that can
transmit the bacteria such as: shower heads, pipes, whirlpools, humidifiers, respiratory therapy devices, and
grocery store misters.
Legionnaires' disease has an incubation period of two to ten days.
Severity ranges from a mild cough and low fever to rapidly
progressive pneumonia and coma. Early symptoms include malaise,
muscle aches, and slight headache. Later symptoms include high fever
(up to 105°F), a dry cough, and shortness of breath.
Gastrointestinal symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and
abdominal pain are common.
Salmonella
The
salmonella bacteria attacks the stomach and intestines. In more
serious cases, the bacteria may enter the lymph tracts, which carry
water and protein to the blood, and the blood itself. The bacteria
attack all age groups and both sexes. Children, the elderly and
people who are already ill are much more likely to get a serious
infection.
Typical symptoms are
diarrhoea or constipation,. Headaches Stomach cramps. Nausea and
vomiting. Fever. Possibly, blood in the faeces. In the case of less
serious infections there are fewer symptoms - usually only diarrhoea
two or three times a day for a couple of days. Most mild types of
salmonella infection clear up in four to seven days without
requiring any treatment other than rest and plenty of liquid.
(See Water treatment and chlorination)
Cryptosporidium
is a protozoan parasite affecting the gastrointestinal tract of humans
and animals. It is shed in the feces in the form of an “oocyst,” which
has a hard shell to protect it from the environment.
Infections
may be asymptomatic or may cause watery diarrhea and abdominal
cramps. The organism is transmitted by the feacal-oral route.
Outbreaks have most commonly been associated with person-to person
(day care center) and waterborne (drinking and recreational water)
At this time, there is no specific drug therapy proven
to be effective against Cryptosporidium, but the
immunocompetent person will usually recover from illness within 2
weeks. Immunocompromised individuals, however, may be unable to
clear the parasite and suffer chronic and debilitating illness.
Cryptosporidium in drinking water can cause death. It is an
extremely hard to kill pathogen, even surviving submersion in bleach
for two hours.
The
finding of Cryptosporidium oocysts in many drinking water
sources (rivers, lakes, and reservoirs), and occasionally even in
treated water, has been a source of considerable concern to drinking
water and public health officials, as well as to the public and the
news media.
Wiles
disease
The
Brown rat will visit a pond or your water storage tank to drink if
not correctly sealed, and unfortunately in doing so they will leave excrement and urine in the water which presents a serious
health risk to anybody who drinks the water Wiles disease can be
transmitted from rats to humans who get rat urine on their hands and the following basic precautions should
always be taken. If you develop flu like symptoms and/or blurred
vision after being in contact with a pond consult your doctor
immediately and state that you are concerned about wiles disease.
(See
Tank cleaning)