Watery Tales from Here and There

AS the mercury rises and summer takes its toll on our systems, dire warnings to drink ‘‘lots of water’’ are finally bein...

AS the mercury rises and summer takes its toll on our systems, dire warnings to drink ‘‘lots of water’’ are finally being taken seriously. But with the quality of municipal water becoming more and more suspect, some precautions are mandatory.

As far as possible, water sources must be protected from contamination by human and animal waste, which can contain a variety of bacterial, viral and protozoan pathogens and helminth parasites. Failure to provide adequate protection and effective treatment will expose the community using the water source to the risk of outbreaks of intestinal and other infectious diseases. At greatest risk of waterborne disease are infants and those recovering from debilitating illnesses.

Many parameters must be taken into consideration in assessing water quality, such as source protection, treatment efficiency and reliability, and protection of the distribution network (for instance corrosion control).

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Should you worry about chemical contamination in your water source?
Not really. The health risk due to toxic chemicals in drinking-water differs from that caused by microbiological contaminants. There are few chemical constituents of water that can lead to acute health problems, except through massive accidental contamination of a supply. In such a case, the repulsive taste, odour and appearance would discourage drinking of the water. So the risk of unchecked chemical presence in drinking water is actually minimal.

What is the most effective way to decontaminate water?
Boiling and filtering is probably the best way to purify water. There is some debate about how long water needs to be boiled before it is safe to drink. Opinions vary from three minutes of a rolling boil to just a few seconds. Most hygiene experts are of the opinion that water should be boiled for at least three to four minutes. Since water boils at a lower temperature at high altitudes, a longer boiling time may be necessary if you live in a hilly/mountainous region.

What are the other devices you can use to purify water?
There are quite a few options to choose from, depending on your budget and required levels of efficacy:

Micropore filter: These are devices with tiny holes through which big germs can’t pass. They bar micro-organisms such as ameoba and giardia, but bacteria and especially viruses will pass through.

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Iodine: This is usually present in the form of a membrane; the iodine latches on to the micro-organisms as they pass through, and kills them. It is important to let the iodine do its work, so wait at least half-an-hour before drinking the water.

What are the common types of contaminated water-induced illness?
‘‘Typhoid, jaundice and diarrhoea are the most widely known repercussions of drinking polluted water. But people don’t realise that gastroenteritis, too, is lar gely due to unsanitary water,’’ says Dr Anupum Sibal, Chief Gastroenterologist at Apollo Hospital. Other symptoms include cramps, vomiting and loose motions.

Is mineral water a safe option?
Mineral water is sourced from natural springs abundant in beneficial minerals that are considered good for the body. It is different from bottled water, which is purified ordinary water. While choosing a brand, make sure it has an ISI mark, which is the closest you get to a safety standard in India.

Other precautions you can exercise:

When out of the house, try to avoid drinking any juices or eating any water-based foods.
Make sure the crockery you use — such as glasses — have been washed in clean water.
Ideally, carry your own water bottle when out of the house. Or else, buy a bottle with an unbroken seal.