Key Takeaways:
- Contaminated water is any water that contains pathogens and chemicals that can make you sick.
- Water contamination can be caused by several different factors, including agricultural runoff and corroded pipes.
- Many contaminants found in tap water have no odor, color, or taste.
- Knowing what to do if you drink contaminated water can help minimize the severity of waterborne illness symptoms you might experience.
- The best way to prevent drinking contaminated water is to contact Tyent for a free water report and use a Tyent water ionizer—which features an advanced filtration system—to purify your drinking water.
Odds are, you do what’s necessary to avoid contaminated water during travel, such as only drinking factory-sealed bottled water, not swallowing water in the shower, and steering clear of the local ice cubes. Yet, many of us tend to forget that our tap water at home isn’t necessarily the best water to drink, either.
Even though the EPA states that the U.S. has one of the safest drinking water systems globally, drinking tap water isn’t worth the risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate at least 1 in 300 Americans get sick every year from germs in drinking water, with 40% of hospitalizations associated with drinking water exposures.
This article explores what contaminated water is, the signs and symptoms of water contamination, the common ways it can manifest, and exactly what to do if you drink contaminated water. Plus, we’ll cover the game-changing ways Tyent water ionizers can protect you from waterborne illnesses and make hydrating even healthier.
What is Contaminated Water?
Contaminated water -is any water that has been tainted by harmful substances, like chemicals and pathogens. When these substances enter a water source, that water becomes unsafe for everyday use, like drinking and cooking, and can make you sick.
Water contamination can be caused by:
- Arsenic
- Copper
- E. coli O157
- Enterovirus
- Giardia
- Lead
- Legionella
- Nitrate
- Norovirus
- PFAS (forever chemicals)
- Radon
- Rotavirus
- Salmonella
Contaminants can get into your drinking water at the water’s source (where your tap water comes from) or while traveling through pipes to your home. The odds of contamination increase if the pipes your water travels through are cracked or if there are other problems with the water system infrastructure in your area.
Bottom line: Your local water quality affects your life, which is why it’s important to know what’s in your water and use a high-quality ionizer from Tyent to protect your health.
Find the right Tyent water ionizer for your home.
Signs and Symptoms of Water Contamination
Some signs of water contamination are obvious, especially if the changes to your water are sudden. Your water might:
- Contain black particles
- Feel like it burns
- Have an oily or rainbow sheen
- Look bubbly or foamy
- Smell like manure, sewage, fuel, paint thinner, or rotten eggs
- Stain plumbing fixtures black or brown, blue or green
- Taste metallic
- Turn your laundry black
However many impurities found in tap water have no odor, color, or taste, which makes them difficult to detect without an at-home water test.
Drinking contaminated tap water can cause a variety of mild to severe health issues. Some of the effects are more immediate, while others may take years to manifest. It depends on the type and concentration of germ or chemical in your water, how much you consume, and how long you’re exposed.
Chemical exposures, such as heavy metals and pesticides, can lead to severe health problems, including:
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Cancers
- Chronic pain
- High blood pressure and hypertension
- Nerve disorders
- Organ damage
- Reproductive problems
Exposure to pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and parasites, can trigger:
- Body and muscle aches
- Cough
- Diarrhea (water, bloody)
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headaches
- Jaundice
- Joint pain
- Kidney problems
- Loss of appetite
- Mouth blisters
- Shortness of breath
- Skin rash
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
What to Do if You Drink Contaminated Water
Anyone can get sick from accidentally drinking unsafe water. Here’s what to do if you drink contaminated water.
1. Seek Medical Advice
Some people are more sensitive to waterborne illnesses than others. If you have an underlying medical condition, are pregnant, or are over 65, you’re more likely to get sick if you drink contaminated water.
It’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor, who can help you identify the type of waterborne infection you have and prescribe a precise treatment to help eliminate it from the body, such as antibiotics, antivirals, or antiparasitic drugs. You should do so right away if you experience severe symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, excessive nausea and vomiting, or a fever.
2. Hydrate with Clean Water
As you navigate what to do if you drink contaminated water, one of the most important steps is maintaining adequate hydration to make up for the lost fluids due to diarrhea and vomiting. Drink plenty of water (from a trusted source, like a Tyent water ionizer) and electrolyte solutions, such as sports drinks. The darker your urine, the more dehydrated you are.
3. Identify the Source
Identifying the exact contaminants in your source water is a crucial step in preventing future waterborne illnesses. The EPA recommends getting your water tested through a state-certified water lab. However, it’s a costly option and it can take weeks before you receive your results.
Instead, you can receive an accurate water quality report from Tyent absolutely free. Tyent has water quality data for every major municipality in the country and can give you the contents of your drinking water within hours. Bonus: No water sample is required!
Get your free water report today!
4. Contact Local Authorities
If you suspect or confirm that your drinking water is contaminated, you should contact your health department so the source of contamination can be located and controlled. They can also inform you of any additional steps you should take to decrease the risk of potential health problems.
5. Monitor Your Symptoms
If your symptoms remain severe despite supportive care (rehydrating, adequate rest, and proper nutrition), don’t go away within a few days, or you have a weakened immune system, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. You might require IV fluids and further treatment.
What Causes Water Contamination?
Water contamination can be caused by several different factors. The most common causes of water contamination include:
Agricultural Runoff
Every time it rains, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste used in farming can wash away from farms and into nearby waterways. Agricultural contaminants usually contain high amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus, which encourage the growth of algal blooms (blue-green algae that can be harmful to humans and wildlife).
Industrial Discharges
A common by-product of industrial and commercial processes is industrial wastewater—the water that was used to make commercial products. This wastewater may contain harmful chemicals that, if not properly managed, can seep into the groundwater or enter the local water supply.
Sewage and Wastewater
Used water, such as water from toilets, sinks, and showers, becomes sewage and wastewater. The same goes for stormwater runoff, which is when rainwater washes road salts, oil, grease, and chemicals from the ground and into waterways. Roughly 80% of the world’s wastewater flows back into the environment completely untreated.
Old or Corroded Pipes
Over time, water delivery systems can degrade, with older pipes in particular corroding and leaching harmful contaminants into the water supply. Water that travels through these old, corroded pipes then carries these contaminants into your home—and, provided you’re not already keeping lead out of your tap water and other impurities, your drinking glass too.
Chemical Spills
Various industries use underground and aboveground storage tanks to store chemical substances. If a tank develops a leak, isn’t stored properly, or spills during transfer, the chemicals are typically diluted with water and then washed into the soil, increasing the risk of groundwater contamination.
How to Prevent Drinking Contaminated Water
As important as it is to know what to do if you drink contaminated water, nothing beats the peace of mind of never having to ask: Is tap water safe?
Peace of mind starts with knowing exactly what’s in your water. You don’t need to spend gobs of money on water testing, either. Simply contact Tyent to find out what’s in your water for free—no water sample required! Tyent already has water quality data for every major municipality in the country, so they can give you the contents of your tap water within hours.
Once you know what’s in your water, you can eliminate contaminants with a Tyent water ionizer, which are the best alkaline water filter systems on the market. Tyent’s NSF-certified dual Dialapure 0.01 micron filtration system is the same caliber of filtration found in kidney dialysis machines. The system removes over 200 dangerous contaminants, including heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and 100% of lead from your tap water.
Tyent also offers a range of advanced pre-filters to improve the quality of your source water and extend the life of your filter.
The water that flows from Tyent water ionizers isn’t just clean—it’s healthier too. Tyent water ionizers double as the best hydrogen water machines, transforming your H2O into hydrogen-rich alkaline water, which is known for its many potential health perks. Drinking Tyent water can increase your energy, boost your immune system, and improve your gut health, among many other amazing benefits.
Get in touch for your free water report, then make your water safer, cleaner, and healthier with a Tyent water ionizer.
More About What to Do if You Drink Contaminated Water
In case of lingering questions you might have, below are answers to frequently asked questions about what to do if you drink contaminated water.
How long after drinking contaminated water do you get sick?
After drinking contaminated water, symptom onset may start within hours or take several days to manifest, depending on the type of infection. Typically, you’ll start feeling sick 2-10 days after drinking infected water. You might experience diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, or cramps. If a fever, swollen glands, or vision changes strike, get in touch with a doctor right away.
What is the treatment for drinking contaminated water?
Treatment for drinking contaminated water depends on the specific infection and its underlying cause, such as a virus or parasite. Common treatment options include rehydration, medication (antibiotics, antivirals, antiparasitics), and supportive care, such as adequate rest and proper nutrition.
What is the most common symptom of drinking contaminated water?
Diarrhea and vomiting are the most commonly reported symptoms of drinking contaminated water. Other symptoms can include skin, ear, eye, and breathing problems.
Eliminate the Risk of Drinking Contaminated Water
Accidentally drinking contaminated water can happen to anyone, anywhere, including in your own home. As such, it’s important to know what to do if you drink contaminated water and how to prevent it from happening in the future.
Tyent water ionizers make it possible to drink your tap water safely, without having to worry about any waterborne illnesses that might be lurking. This is thanks to Tyent’s dual Dialapure filtration system which has the same level of filtration used in kidney dialysis machines. The 0.01-micron filtration level removes over 200 dangerous contaminants from your tap water, including 100% of lead.
Tyent water is also healthier, providing the highest molecular hydrogen content of any water ionizer on the market. The potential health benefits of hydrogen water are vast, and include more energy, less brain fog, and stronger immunity. Adjust the pH of your Tyent water to also enjoy alkaline water benefits, including improved hydration and glowing skin.
Best of all, Tyent offers a generous 75-day trial period to make sure you’re 100% satisfied with your purchase, along with a hassle-free lifetime warranty.
Enjoy cleaner, safer, and healthier drinking water by ordering a Tyent water ionizer.
