Do you Have Worms in Your Tap Water? You Might if You Are Living in This American City!
Do you Have Worms in Your Tap Water? You Might if You Are Living in This American City!
About 780 million people out of the world’s seven billion person population lacks clean drinking water. However, that fact didn’t keep residents of a Texas town from being shocked to find impurities in their tap water of the kind that are characteristic of developing nations. The town of Old River Winfree which is near Houston,Texas has garnered much attention as its water supply has been infiltrated by tiny blood worms. The town residents and their mayor tried to get answers about how the worms got into the drinking water, but the water company is still investigating the incident. If large quantities of worms can find their way into modern water lines and plumbing in Old River Winfree without explanation, then contamination of drinking water can happen in any United States city. Here are some easy ways to make sure one’s water is clear of parasites, harmful bacteria and other pathogenic elements.
Boiling Water
Filtering and boiling water is the most common and effective way to sanitize one’s drinking water. There are differing opinions about how long water should boil before it is considered safe for consumption. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that one boils water for at least one minute, and three minutes at a rolling boil is suggested for those at an altitude greater than 6,562 feet. This method is considered effective for killing protozoa, bacteria and viruses.
Chlorinating Water
Adding bleach to drinking water is an inexpensive way of reducing one’s risk of waterborne illnesses. An eighth of a teaspoon of unscented, regular household bleach that is mixed with a gallon of water can provide clean drinking water in an emergency. One must make sure to chlorinate the lids and mouths of containers that come into contact with untreated water as well. The chlorinated mixture must sit for at least 30 minutes to be effective. Nearly all bacteria and viruses are killed by this purification method, however, the bleach does nothing to kill protozoa like cryptosporidia.
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Water Sanitation With Iodine
Iodine is a potent disinfectant that is often used to prevent infection in minor cuts and scrapes. However, it is also a common way to sanitize water during emergencies and when hiking in backcountry environs. The process can be done with tincture or tablets. The first step is to fill up a container with water and then use two tablets or 10 drops of tincture per liter of water. One must then make sure that the iodine solution touches the lid or rim of the container if it has come into contact with the untreated water source. After 30 minutes of waiting, one can drink the water that is free of bacteria and viruses. Protozoa like cryptosporidia is resistant to iodine, however.
Ultra Violet Light Sanitation and Filtration System
A high tech solution for water sanitation is the use of ultra violet (UV) light to damage the DNA of pathogens and render them harmless. These UV solutions come in portable pens or installed household purification systems. When using the UV portable pens to purify water, simply let the water in a container come into contact with the UV light for a few minutes and the water is ready to drink.
Conclusion
According to the CDC, about 85 million Americans have some kind of parasitic infestation. The symptoms of this condition can include constipation, diarrhea, skin rashes, extreme fatigue and insomnia. Ways to reduce one’s parasitic load is to create an unfriendly environment for the critters through diet and hygiene practices. For example, some people have found success in their battles with parasites when they add garlic to their diets and use supplements that contain black walnut, wormwood and cloves.
Water Facts, Food and Water Watch. Retrieved Reece, Kevin. Worms-In-The-Water Fears Linger in Old River-Winfree