Drinking water is defined as water that does not pose health concerns to users. A huge percentage of people drink contaminated water resulting in many illnesses some of which are rapidly fatal. These diseases can be rapidly spread especially among communities that live close together. Eradicating related diseases is one of the major public health goals in the developing world. Drinking water testing is one of the many ways towards attaining this aim.
Testing needs to be done often to make sure that what you are drinking is safe. A variety of contaminants may be found in samples based on the environment. Examples include iron, manganese, lead, radon and sulphate. Perhaps the most troublesome problem is the presence of bacterial organisms. Organisms are difficult to visualise and the samples taken may actually appear to be of good quality just by looking. Microorganisms should be tested in stored sources at least once a year.
A number of changes and occurrences may call for testing of samples more than once a year. One should suspect extremely high levels of manganese, sulphate and iron in the event of changes in clarity, taste, color and smell. The tests are also crucial when unexplained illness occur within the immediate environment. Pregnancy is another critical indicator for home testing.
Specific conditions call for specific tests to be carried out. For example, there should be tests for the presence of coliform bacteria when users develop recurrent gastrointestinal illness. Failure of soaps to lather easily during washing may require a test for hardness. Rapid wear of pipping equipment is a sign that samples need to be tested for PH, alkalinity, corrosion and hardness.
Infants are vulnerable to nitrate and overexposure to the same can lead to nitrate poisoning. This results in a blood disorder termed blue baby syndrome which is characterised by very low levels of oxygen which cannot meet the requirements. It should be treated as a medical emergency in the event of exposure and symptom presentation.
Either a simple flush in the morning or after the tap has run for a while can be used as a sample. Sampling from different points may be needed in case contamination is suspected to be in the plumbing system. This can be before and after water enters a storage container or at the inlet and outlet of a filter. Testing for corrosion in the plumbing system warrants collection of the sample after twelve hours of settling.
Installing filters in the home can help get rid of some troublesome contaminants such as lead. This should be done after the samples have been tested to know exactly what impurities are to be removed. There are particular types of filters: distillation systems and reverse osmosis systems filter out fluoride. In such cases, measures have to be taken to ensure fluoride is obtained by other means to avoid tooth decay. Also, change the filters often to prevent accumulation of contaminants.
Water is essential for the survival of humans and other living organisms. It makes up over 70% of the human body weight. Sampling is the most important part of drinking water testing. Therefore, instructions should be carefully followed to obtain accurate results.
Testing needs to be done often to make sure that what you are drinking is safe. A variety of contaminants may be found in samples based on the environment. Examples include iron, manganese, lead, radon and sulphate. Perhaps the most troublesome problem is the presence of bacterial organisms. Organisms are difficult to visualise and the samples taken may actually appear to be of good quality just by looking. Microorganisms should be tested in stored sources at least once a year.
A number of changes and occurrences may call for testing of samples more than once a year. One should suspect extremely high levels of manganese, sulphate and iron in the event of changes in clarity, taste, color and smell. The tests are also crucial when unexplained illness occur within the immediate environment. Pregnancy is another critical indicator for home testing.
Specific conditions call for specific tests to be carried out. For example, there should be tests for the presence of coliform bacteria when users develop recurrent gastrointestinal illness. Failure of soaps to lather easily during washing may require a test for hardness. Rapid wear of pipping equipment is a sign that samples need to be tested for PH, alkalinity, corrosion and hardness.
Infants are vulnerable to nitrate and overexposure to the same can lead to nitrate poisoning. This results in a blood disorder termed blue baby syndrome which is characterised by very low levels of oxygen which cannot meet the requirements. It should be treated as a medical emergency in the event of exposure and symptom presentation.
Either a simple flush in the morning or after the tap has run for a while can be used as a sample. Sampling from different points may be needed in case contamination is suspected to be in the plumbing system. This can be before and after water enters a storage container or at the inlet and outlet of a filter. Testing for corrosion in the plumbing system warrants collection of the sample after twelve hours of settling.
Installing filters in the home can help get rid of some troublesome contaminants such as lead. This should be done after the samples have been tested to know exactly what impurities are to be removed. There are particular types of filters: distillation systems and reverse osmosis systems filter out fluoride. In such cases, measures have to be taken to ensure fluoride is obtained by other means to avoid tooth decay. Also, change the filters often to prevent accumulation of contaminants.
Water is essential for the survival of humans and other living organisms. It makes up over 70% of the human body weight. Sampling is the most important part of drinking water testing. Therefore, instructions should be carefully followed to obtain accurate results.
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