According to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), many Ohio residents get their water from ground or surface water. If a resident does, they must have the source tested for basic contaminants as soon as construction or any other alteration is made and they must then take special precautions to ensure the water stays okay to drink during the system's lifespan. ODH lists three tests that must be passed in order for a system to get approved by the owner's local health district:
- Total Coliform Bacteria - evaluates the cleanliness and/or condition of water wells. Also, determines if a disinfection system is working correctly.
- E. coli - indicates sanitary condition of the supply.
- Nitrates
But what this blog will be focusing on is 6 different things that can affect a private water supply, or really any water supply if the conditions are right.
According to the ODH, there are actually 16 different species of coliform bacteria and most of them are relatively harmless. In fact, coliform is found in the intestines of warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals, including humans, where it aids with digestion. These 16 species are known as total coliform bacteria and typically live in large numbers.
A subgroup of the bacteria is called fecal coliform, and it is within this subgroup that harm to health comes into play. To begin, the subgroup is defined as separate because they are only found in warm-blooded animals fecal waste and they grow at higher temperatures than the bacteria in the total coliform group. One species of the six fecal coliform species is E. coli. Within the E. coli species, one rare strain is found to cause dangerous outbreaks and illness. The ODH has emphasized the fact that this strain is rare, but also mentions how it is often covered by the news because of the potential outbreaks it can cause.
It is because of the fecal strains that water must be tested for it. Domestic sewage and other sources containing animal and human waste can contaminate water which then soils absorb. If a human were to eat a plant that has grown by a contaminated water source or drinks from a contaminated source, he/she could get sick. The key word is could - ODH reported that a person does not automatically become sick, but if the organisms are present in the water, other disease-causing organisms could be present too. If a person were to become sick from the contaminated water, the ODH reports that the person will probably experience diarrhea and cramps.
The best way to prevent a coliform bacterial contamination it depends on the water source. For groundwater, wells should be built well enough to have minimal or no bacteria, but if some were to be found, all that can be done is to have the well professionally cleaned to clear any mineral and bacterial slimes that have built up. For springs, ponds, and cisterns (an artificial, underground tank that stores rainwater, according to Merriam-Webster), owners should filter the water, as well as use treatment devices. If bacteria is still found then the owner needs to make sure the disinfection system is working properly and is maintained.
On top of prevention, the ODH has standards for private water systems regarding both total coliform bacteria and fecal coliform bacteria, specifically the E. Coli species. For the latter, pretty much all water samples are looked at for E. Coli because the test is quick - with results being available in just one day - and inexpensive. Within the total coliform species, there are two standards depending on the water system being used, how it was constructed and whether disinfection is required. If the system is newer or recently altered it is required to meet "a coliform count standard." If a system requires continuous disinfection, then it is required to meet "a total coliform negative standard," which just ensures the equipment used to disinfect is working correctly.
Coliform bacteria is categorized under microbiological contaminants on the ODH page about water quality. The next category is known as Primary Pathogenic microorganisms, or microorganisms that can cause disease in healthy people with dose and exposure. E. Coli is listed under this group as well as under microbiological contaminants. There are three other disease causing things listed under this primary pathogenic group that this blog will touch on: Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Harmful Algal Bloom Cyanotoxins.
Cryptosporidium
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestine of infected humans and animals. It is passed by the stool of the infected being. Many would think that chlorine-based disinfectants would kill the parasite, but unfortunately, this parasite is resistant. On top of the resistance, the parasite is equipped with an outer shell that gives it the ability to live outside a body for long amounts of time. The disease that Cryptosporidium causes is known as Cryptosporidiosis, but both are commonly called Crypto. The disease is categorized as a diarrheal disease and is one of the most common causes of waterborne disease over the past two decades. This disease is found all over the world, including the US.
To prevent getting Crypto, the CDC recommends practicing good hygiene, avoiding potentially contaminated water, being extra cautious while traveling and avoid sexual contact with feces during sex. Additionally, it is asked that if a person were to have diarrhea not to swim, and if infected not to swim for an additional two weeks. If a child has diarrhea, it is recommended to keep them away from child care facilities until it stops. Finally, the CDC asks that children are taken out of pools every sixty minutes for a bathroom break and babies' diapers are checked every thirty to sixty minutes.
If a healthy person were to get Crypto, according to the CDC, no treatment is really necessary. It is only recommended to drink fluids to manage diarrhea and prevent dehydration. A way to remove Crypto parasites is with a water filter, but it has to be designed to remove them. Any filter that is reverse osmosis or has an absolute pore size of less than 1 micron should remove Crypto. Also "tested and certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 or 58" removal or reduction should also remove Crypto.
Giardia
According to the CDC, like Crypto, Giardia is also a parasite that is found in the intestine and gets passed through feces. Giardia also has a protective outer shell that allows it to live outside the body for longer periods of time. The diarrheal sickness giardia causes is called Giardiasis, and it too is one of the most common causes of waterborne diseases. Unlike Crypto, though, giardia are found mostly in the US.
 |
| Photo (by Allison Cook) of a picture from the CDC's website. This shows Giardia at a microscopic level. These parasites cause a disease known as Giardiasis, which is very similar to Crypto in effect. |
The prevention methods for giardia are very similar to those recommended by the CDC for Crypto, such as practicing good hygiene, avoiding potentially contaminated water and avoid contact with feces during sex. In addition, CDC also warns about washing foods with contaminated water and recommends avoiding eating uncooked foods when traveling to places with poorer water and food treatment. Finally, the CDC asks that in areas where either the sick pet or person was be cleaned. CDC asks that when disinfecting, cleaning hard surfaces and cleaning carpets and softer material covered furniture, that gloves are used.
The best treatment, according to the CDC, for a giardia infection is to take medication. Depending on an infected person's past, immune system status and nutrition different drugs work better than others, which is why it is recommended to talk with a doctor about the options for treatment.
As for removing Giardia, the CDC does not talk about the parasite's resistant to chlorine-based disinfectants but recommends a very similar process as the process to remove Crypto.
Harmful Algal Bloom Cyanotoxins
According to the ODH, certain species of cyanobacteria are what cause the harmful algal blooms (HAB). Cyanobacteria, also known as "blue-green algae," are actually naturally found in Ohio's lakes, slow-moving streams, and ponds, and many of the species are non-toxic. For a HAB to occur the conditions have to be just right: shallow water, sunlight, warm temperatures, and an excessive amount of phosphorous and nitrogen.
 |
| Photo (by Allison Cook) of a picture from the ODH. While the water in this picture looks almost like a painting, it is actually a HAB. The coloring illustrates why the algae got the name "blue-green algae." |
Those cyanobacteria that are toxic are called Cyanotoxins and are divided into three subcategories: neurotoxins, dermatotoxins, and hepatotoxins. Neurotoxins cause problems with the nervous system, dermatotoxins cause skin problems and hepatotoxins cause problems in the liver. The ODH lists three common ways that people come into contact with HABs: Drinking contaminated water, whether it be during a drinking water advisory or accidentally during a recreational activity in the contaminated water, inhaling, in the form of mist, and skin contact.
Depending on how a person is exposed, will impact how the person is affected. Drinking contaminated water has the most severe effects, including severe diarrhea and vomiting, difficulty breathing, kidney, neuro and/or liver toxicity, and potentially death. Skin contact may cause hives, rashes, and/or blisters. Inhaling contaminated water could cause a sore throat, allergic reactions, asthma-like reaction and/or runny eyes and nose. It is also important to note that humans are not the only ones who can get sick because of HABs, pets are at risk too. For both humans and animals, it is recommended to seek medical help if they are thought to be infected.
 |
| Photo (by Allison Cook) of picture from ODH. Recreation is one of the main ways people are exposed to HAB waters. The health effects most likely to be contracted from recreational activity are less problematic so long as the individual does not drink or swallow the water. Still, it is advised to be cautious if recreating in or by HAB infected waters since skin contact and inhaling mist caused by the recreation activity can still cause issues for an individual. |
The ODH lists two types of advisories that come with HAB-contaminated water, and each advisory depends on the type of toxins causing the bloom. The first advisory is a drinking advisory. If 0.3 μg/L (micrograms per liter) of Microcystin, 20 μg/L of Anatoxin-a, 0.7 μg/L of Cylindrospermopsin or 0.2 μg/L of Saxitoxin are found it is advised that children under the age of 5, the elderly, pregnant or nursing woman, people with liver problems, people with immune system problems, and people undergoing dialysis treatment do not drink the water. When levels, respective to the order the toxins were listed previously, hit 1.6 μg/L, 20 μg/L, 3 μg/L and 0.2 μg/L all people, pets, and livestock are told not to drink the water. The second advisory type is recreational. When toxins hit 6 μg/L, 80 μg/L, 5 μg/L, and 0.8 μg/L, respectively, then it is considered a "Recreational Public Health Advisory" and a sign must be posted to warn people. When toxins hit 20 μg/L, 300 μg/L, 20 μg/L, and 3 μg/L, respectively, then the advisory is a "Recreational No Contact Advisory," which means a sign is posted telling people the levels are above the threshold and going in the water is not recommended.
The next category after primary pathogenic microorganisms is "Opportunistic Pathogens," which normally do not harm people who are healthy but instead are just a problem in populations such as the elderly, those with compromised immune systems and infants. Next are "Inorganic Chemical contaminants," such as metals like lead and iron, and then organic chemical contaminants. Finally, a category called "Radionuclides"comes up. This blog will look into Radon, which is one of five things listed in this group.
Radon
According to the EPA, Radon is a radioactive gas that naturally occurs and can cause cancer. It is formed from the breakdown of uranium underground. It has no taste, color or odor so it is very difficult to detect. While there are actually two main sources of radon, both air and water, this blog post's focus is on water quality, so we will only look at Radon in drinking water.
Radon tends to enter the water through dissolving and accumulating in groundwater and therefore can get into well water. It is when the water is used in a house that some of the gas escapes into the air. There is an emphasis on the fact that radon is only a problem for homes that get their water from underground sources because radon in surface water escapes into the air long before it reaches the tap. If exposed to radon through drinking water, people are at a higher risk of getting lung cancer over the course of their lifetime.
While the EPA reports that there is no federally enforced standard currently for radon in drinking water, they have made a proposal. The proposal requests that any public water source that contains more than 4,000 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter) be shut down. This proposal will also force States to take action in lowering radon levels.
The final water quality issue we will look at is Turbidity, which is under the ODH's "Other Parameters" category.
According to the Water System Council, turbidity is the cloudiness of the water. The cause of the cloudiness can come from a variety of fairly harmless sources or from increased levels of disease-causing organisms. If it is caused by high levels of organic matter than it may be difficult to successfully disinfect the water.
The Water System Council reported that higher levels of turbidity usually mean higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms, which means that health effects can range from nausea to cramps to diarrhea to headaches.
 |
| Photo (by Allison Cook) of a picture from Google Images. This shows the different levels of turbidity in water. According to the Water System Council it is more effective to treat water at lower turbidities than at higher ones. |
