Water and its quality

"I'm dying of thirst!"

Well, you just might. It sounds so simple. H20 - two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen.
This substance also known as water, is one of the most essential elements to health and is so
important that your body actually has a specific drought management system in place to
prevent dehydration and ensure your survival. Water might be everywhere, but one must
never take it for granted.

Water makes up more than two thirds of human body weight, and without water, we would
die in a few days. The human brain is made up of 95% water, blood is 82% and lungs 90%. A
mere 2% drop in our body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: fuzzy short-term
memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on smaller print, such as a
computer screen. (Are you having trouble reading this? Drink up!) Mild dehydration is also
one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. An estimated seventy-five percent of
Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. Pretty scary statistic for a developed country
where water is readily available through the tap or bottle water.

A Hand Book for awareness

Water is called “the elixir of life”. This is, indeed, the name which the Indian Nobel
Laureate, C. V. Raman, has given it in his celebrated essay of the same name.

Water is important to the mechanics of the Water removes harmful toxins from the
human body. The body cannot work without body
it, just as a car cannot run without gas and
oil. In fact, all the cell and organ functions Water helps our bodies remove toxins in
that make up our entire anatomy and many different ways. Water flushes toxins
physiology depend on water for their and waste from the body through urination
functioning. and perspiration. Water helps reduce
constipation and aids in bowel movements
Water serves as a lubricant which ensures that wastes are removed
Water serves as a lubricant in digestion and quickly and regularly before they can become
almost all other body processes. The water in poisonous in the body. This waste buildup
our saliva helps facilitate chewing and can occur in the body if dehydration becomes
swallowing, ensuring that food will slide a regular occurrence and this can cause
easily down the esophagus. Water also headaches, toxicity and illness.
lubricates our joints and cartilages and
allows them to (pardon the pun) move more Drinking enough water will also lessen the
fluidly. When dehydrated, the body rations burden on the kidneys and liver by flushing
water away from the joints. Less lubrication out waste products.
equals greater friction and that can cause
joint, knee and back pain potentially leading Water transports valuable nutrients to the
to injuries and arthritis. Even our eyeballs body
need plenty of lubrication to work well and Blood is about 92% water and it carries
remain healthy. nutrients and oxygen throughout the body.
Nutrients from the food we eat are broken
Water regulates body temperature down in the digestive system where they
Our bodies can control over-heating through become water-soluble, which means they are
perspiration from sweat glands in the skin dissolved in water. Water allows these
and from evaporation which produces a nutrients to pass through the capillaries
cooling effect. Blood is also routed into areas within the intestinal walls to the blood and
close to the surface of the skin where it can circulatory system where the valuable
be cooled and then carried back to the nutrients and oxygen can be distributed
interior of the body. Conversing in a cold throughout the body to all the cells and
environment, the skin maintains proper body organs.
temperature by shunting the blood away
from the exterior surface thereby conserving In addition to the daily maintenance of our
heat within the body. The movement of water bodies, water also plays a key role in the
within our cellular systems also transports prevention of disease. Drinking eight glasses
vital blood plasma which is 92% made of of water daily can decrease the risk of colon
water. Blood plasma play a critical role in cancer by 45%, bladder cancer by 50% and it
buffering the body’s pH, circulating can potentially even reduce the risk of breast
antibodies from the immune system, and cancer. And those are just a few examples!
regulating osmotic balance which all helps to
maintain proper body temperature.
Drinking to Your Health The human body is very resilient and if you
Since water is such an important component treat yourself well, you will be surprised by
to our physiology, it would make sense that your body’s own natural ability to heal itself.
the quality of the water should be just as Here’s drinking to your health and achieving
important as the quantity. Therefore, your your goals. We know you can do it!
drinking water should always be clean and
free of contaminants to ensure proper health
and wellness. Remember it is also never too
late to improve your health with the help of
regular exercise, balanced nutrition and a
positive outlook on life.

Drinking water contamination – how harmful it is

Contaminated water could be harmful to damage to the nervous system, and

anyone, even more so for those with behavioral problems such as aggressiveness
weakened immune systems. In fact, some and hyperactivity. At higher doses, heavy
organisms that could show up in water may metals can cause irreversible brain damage.
be harmless to most, but deadly to others. A Children may receive higher doses of metals
weakened immune system can be a result of from food than adults, since they consume
having an organ transplant, having HIV or more food for their body weight than adults.
AIDS or from undergoing chemotherapy.
Even with patients with less common Microbes
congenital or acquired immune system Fecal Coliform and E coli are bacteria
dysfunction. A weaker immune system whose presence indicates that the water may
means a higher likelihood of contracting be contaminated with human or animal
disease from waterborne contaminants. wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause
short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps,
Heavy metal nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.
Heavy metals that can be very harmful to
your health if found in your drinking water.
Severe effects include reduced growth and
development, cancer, organ damage, nervous
system damage, and in extreme cases, death.
Exposure to some metals, such as mercury
and lead, may also cause development of
autoimmunity, in which a person's immune
system attacks its own cells. This can lead to
joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis,
and diseases of the kidneys, circulatory
system, and nervous system.
The young are more prone to the toxic effects
of heavy metals, as the rapidly developing VOCs
body systems in the fetus, infants and young They form to chloro compound during
children are far more sensitive. Childhood chlorination and are carcinogenic.
exposure to some metals can result in
learning difficulties, memory impairment,
 Pesticides
Different pesticides and herbicides have
different adverse effect on our body, some
have direct effect on stomach, some on
screen and some on our nervous system.

Parameter Limit (as per BIS Effects

10500:2012)

Colour 5 Hazen Colour may occur in drinking water for any one or more
of several reasons. It may be due to the presence of
coloured organic substances originating in the decay or
aqueous extraction of natural vegetation, such as in soil
runoff(Footnote13); the presence of metals such as iron,
manganese and copper, which are abundant in nature,
are weathered from rock or corroded from distribution
systems by water, and are naturally coloured; or the
presence of highly coloured industrial wastes, the most
common of which are pulp and paper and textile
wastes.

Turbidity 1 NTU Turbidity is a measure of light transmission and

indicates the presence of suspended material such as
clay, silt, finely divided organic material, plankton and
other inorganic material. Turbidities in excess of 5 are
usually objectionable for aesthetic reasons. If turbidity
is high, be aware of possible bacterial contamination.
pH 6.5 - 8.5 Can alter corrosivity

Cyanide 0.05 mg/l Nerve damage or thyroid problems

Total hardness 200 mg/l Hardness minerals react with soaps and detergents
producing scums and deposits that make unsightly
rings in the bathtub and wash basin and leave deposits
on clothes. Hardness also precipitates in appliances,
water heaters and water pipes, which reduces their
capacity and eventually contributes to their early
failure. The hardness minerals may also precipitate in a
glass of water. Hardness minerals give water flavor and
have no known health effect; they may even contribute
to better cardiovascular condition.
Alkalinity 200 mg/l The alkalinity of water is a measure of its capacity to
neutralize acids. Bicarbonates and carbonates are the
major contributors to alkalinity, but borate, silicate,
hydroxide and phosphate also contribute. A complex
relationship of pH, hardness, alkalinity, dissolved
oxygen and total dissolved solids determines whether
water will cause corrosion or deposits. Water with low
alkalinity is more likely to be corrosive, which could
cause deterioration of plumbing and an increased
chance for lead in water, if present in pipe, solder or
plumbing fixtures.
Chloride 250mg/l Salty or brakish taste, corrosive, blakens and pits
stainless steel. In addition to adverse taste, high
chloride concentrations in the water contribute to the
deterioration of domestic plumbing and water heaters
and municipal waterworks equipment. Chloride is
suspected of being a contributor to hypertension (high
blood pressure). High chloride concentrations may also
be associated with the presence of sodium in drinking
water. See sodium discussion.
Fluoride 1 mg/l Mottling of teeth and bones. Crippling bone changes
may occur in some people if drinking water is above 8
milligrams per liter fluoride. There is no conclusive
evidence that fluoride or fluoridation causes cancer in
humans.

Sulphate 200 mg/l Bitter, medicinal taste, corrosive, offensive odor. The
laxative effect of sulfates is usually noted in transient
users of a water supply because people who are
accustomed to high sulfate levels in drinking water have
no adverse response. Diarrhea can be induced at sulfate
levels greater than 500 milligrams per liter but more
typically near 750 milligrams per liter. Sulfate may have
a laxative effect that can lead to dehydration and is of
special concern for infants.

Nitrate 45 mg/l Methemoglobinemia (blue baby disease) in infants

(birth-6months), low health threat to children and
adults.
Free Chlorine 0.2 mg/l Chlorine is used to combat microbial contamination,
but it can react with organic matter in the water and
form dangerous, carcinogenic Trihalomethanes.
According to Dr. Joseph M. Price, MD, in Moseby's
Medical Dictionary, "Chlorine is the greatest crippler
and killer of modern times. It is an insidious poison".
Chlorine itself is not believed to be the problem.
Scientists suspect that the actual cause of the bladder
cancers is a group of chemicals that form as result of
reactions between the chlorine and natural substances
and pollutants in the water. The link between chlorine
and bladder and rectal cancers has long been known,
but only recently have researchers found a link between
common chlorine disinfectants and breast cancer,
which affects one out of every eight American women. A
recent study conducted in Hartford, Connecticut found
that women with breast cancer have 50-60 percent
higher levels of organochlorines (chlorine by-products)
in their breast tissue than cancer-free women. Its
important to know the VOCs in water.
Sulphide 0.05 mg/l Sulfates are a combination of sulfur and oxygen and are
a part of naturally occurring minerals in some soil and
rock formations that contain groundwater. The sulfur
mineral dissolves over time and is released into the
groundwater that supplies domestic water. A related
nuisance problem that can result from sulfate in water
is sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. These nonpathogenic
bacteria convert sulfide into sulfate, producing a dark
slime that can clog plumbing and/or stain clothing.
Blackening of water or dark slime coating the inside of
toilet tanks may indicate a sulfur-oxidizing bacteria
problem.

Phenolic 0.001 mg/l Phenol is released to the air and water as a result of its
compounds as manufacture, its use in phenolic resins, and organic
C6H5OH synthesis (Wallace et al. 1996). Phenol is found in
petroleum products such as coal tar, and creosote and
can be released by combustion of wood and auto
exhaust (Wallace et al. 1996). Phenol is also produced
by the natural degradation of organic wastes including
benzene. Phenol is a major metabolite of benzene
(Rothman et al. 1998), which is found extensively in the
environment (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease
Registry 2006), therefore, phenol may be formed in the
environment as a result of the natural degradation of
benzene. Excessive exposure to phenol may cause
health effects on the brain, digestive system, eye, heart,
kidney, liver, lung, peripheral nerve, skin and the
unborn child. Phenol may also cause genetic damage.
Phenol is moderately toxic to aquatic animals and in
general fish appear to be the most sensitive. Chlorinated
 phenols are more toxic to aquatic life. Phenol is
categorized as a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) that
can potentially contribute to ground-level ozone
formation and photochemical smog.

Anionic 0.2 mg/l Prolonged exposure of skin to surfactants can cause

detergents as chafing because surfactants (e.g., soap) disrupts the
MBAS lipid coating that protects skin (and other) cells.
Total Dissolved 500mg/l Dissolved minerals, like iron or manganese. High TDS
Solid also may indicate hardness (scaly deposits) and cause
staining, or salty, bitter taste.

Iron ( Fe) 0.3mg/l Metalic taste, discoloured beverages, yellowish stains on

laundry. Frequently, water with dissolved iron also
shows evidence of iron bacteria. These organisms use
the iron as a source of energy and accumulate in
masses that may plug well screens, pumps and
pipelines. In time, a rust-colored, jelly-like mass will
break loose and enter the plumbing system. Iron
bacteria coat nearly everything, including toilet tank,
pipes and storage tank. Decaying dead bacteria impart
a bad taste to the water and leave stains that are very
difficult to remove.

Calcium ( Ca) 75 mg/l Kidney stones have been linked to a high calcium
intake, Calcium is the most abundand metal in the
human body: is the main constituent of bones and
theets and it has keys metabolic functions.
Calcium is sometimes referred to as lime. It is most
commonly found in milk and milk products, but also in
vegetables, nuts and beans. It is an essential
component for the preservation of the human skeleton
and teeth. It also assists the functions of nerves and
muscles. The use of more than 2,5 grams of calcium per
day without a medical necessity can lead to the
development of kidney stones and sclerosis of kidneys
and blood vessels.

A lack of calcium is one of the main causes of

osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease in which the
bones become extremely porous, are subject to fracture,
and heal slowly, occurring especially in women following
menopause and often leading to curvature of the spine
from vertebral collapse.
Copper ( Cu) 0.05 mg/l Blue-green stains on plumbing fixtures, bitter, metalic
taste. Copper in drinking water normally is not a
concern, as the levels required to produce health effects
in most people exceed the maximum possible
concentrations. Experience indicates that copper at
concentration levels exceeding 2 milligrams per liter
causes blue-green staining of plumbing fixtures and an
off taste. To many people, copper imparts a detectable
taste at a concentration level of 1 milligram per liter. In
instances where high copper concentration levels in the
drinking water are observed, it is likely that other heavy
metals are also present. Water containing 4 milligrams
per liter copper was found to impart a green tint to dyed
hair.

Manganese ( 0.1 mg/l Black specks on fixtures, bitter taste. Excess

Mn) manganese may produce a black or gray color in
laundered goods and may impair the taste of tea, coffee
and other beverages. Concentrations above the
standard may also cause a dark stain on porcelain
plumbing fixtures. As with iron, manganese may form a
coating on distribution pipes which may slough off,
causing dark stains on laundered clothing or black
particles in the water. Manganese stains can be even
more difficult to remove than iron stains.

Magnesium ( 30 mg/l Too much magnesium often result in diarrhea that can
Mg) be accompanied by nausea and abdominal cramping.

Mercury ( Hg) 0.001 mg/l Large increases in concentrations above natural levels
in water, soils and air may occur in localized areas
though significant mercury problems are rare in
Missouri. Outside of occupational exposure, food
(particularly fish) is typically the greatest contributor to
total mercury intake. Poisoning is characterized by
major changes in the brain, including loss of vision and
hearing, intellectual deterioration and even death.
Cadmium ( Cd) 0.003 mg/l Epidemiological evidence that cadmium may be
associated with renal arterial hypertension under
certain conditions.

Molybdenum ( 0.07 mg/l molybdenum and its compounds are highly toxic. Some
Mo) evidence of liver dysfunction with hyperbilirubinemia
has been reported in workmen chronically exposed in a
Soviet Mo-Cu plant. In addition, signs of gout have been
found in factory workers and among inhabitants of Mo-
rich areas of Armenia. The main features were joint
pains in the knees, hands, feet, articular deformities,
erythema, and edema of the joint areas.
Selenium ( Se) 0.01 mg/l Possible health effects include growth inhibition, skin
discoloration, dental and digestive problems, liver
damage, and psychological disorders. Some studies
have raised concern over the possible carcinogenic
properties of this element, but at this time it is not
believed to be carcinogenic.

Arsenic ( As) 0.01 mg/l The high toxicity of arsenic and its widespread
occurrence in the environment necessitates the limit on
arsenic concentrations in drinking water. At one time
arsenic compounds were used extensively as pesticides
and herbicides, but their use for these purposes has
been dramatically reduced. Chronic health effects may
include weight loss, depression and lack of energy and
cancer.

Lead ( Pb) 0.01 mg/l Nervous disorders and mental impairment especially in
fetuses, infants, and young children, kidney damage,
blood disorders and hypertension, low birth weight.
Exposure to lead in water, either brief or prolonged, can
seriously injure health. Prolonged exposure to relatively
small quantities (more than 0.05 milligram per day) may
affect health. Lead exposure occurs from air, food and
water sources. All exposure is additive. Lead
accumulates in the bones, resulting in elevated levels in
the blood. Known effects range from subtle biochemical
changes at low levels of exposure to severe neurological
and toxic effects and even death at much higher levels.
As with several other water contaminants, children,
infants and fetuses are especially vulnerable to lead.
Infants and children absorb a much greater portion of
lead intake than adults and their immature, developing
bodies and central nervous systems are much more
sensitive to its effects. A child's mental and physical
development can be irreversibly stunted by over-
exposure to lead. Health effects include reduced mental
capacity (even mental retardation), interference with
kidney and neurological functions and hearing loss in
children. The EPA-proposed MCL should be followed
whenever pregnant women, infants or children are
consuming water.

Zinc ( Zn) 5 mg/l Zinc is found in some natural waters, most frequently in
areas where it is mined. It is not considered detrimental
to health unless it occurs in very high concentrations.
However, it does give an undesirable taste and
appearance to drinking water, which is the reason for
the secondary standard classification.
Chromium ( Cr 0.05 mg/l Chromium is toxic to humans, produces lung tumors
6+) when inhaled and causes skin irritations. Long-term
exposure may cause skin and nasal ulcers. Chromium
accumulates in the spleen, bones, kidney and liver. It
occurs in some foods, in air (including cigarette smoke)
and in some water supplies. The level of chromium that
can be tolerated over a lifetime without adverse health
effects is still undetermined. Chromium is involved in
use of blood sugar and is considered an essential
nutrient.

Aluminimum 0.03 mg/l Aluminum is widespread in the environment. Intake

( Al) occurs through food, water and air. Aluminum has been
suspected of contributing to Alzheimer's disease, but
inadequate scientific data exist to substantiate a cause-
effect relationship.

Nickel ( Ni) 0.02 mg/l Allergic contact dermatitis is the most prevalent effect of
nickel in the general population. occupational exposure
to sulfidic and oxidic nickel at high concentrations
causes lung and nasal cancers. Soluble nickel exposure
increased the cancer risk and may also enhance the
risk associated with exposure to less soluble nickel
compounds.
Boron (B) 0.5 mg/l An acute overdose to infants has caused diarrhea,
vomiting, signs of irritability, erythema in the diaper
area, a mild red rash on the face and neck, a pus-like
discharge or mild congestion of the eye, and possibly
convulsive seizures. In adults, an acute overdose causes
nausea, vomiting, redness of the skin, difficulty
swallowing due to ulcers in the throat, and a non-
bloody diarrhea.
E.coli bacteria 0/100ml CFU Contain disease causing microorganisms.

Coliform 0/100ml CFU Possible bacterial or viral contamination from man

bacteria sewage or animal waste

Be rest assure what you are drinking

or what you are getting out of your
filter
Don’t wait until someone gets sick……………….

Testing your water is a fairly simple task. Common reasons for testing are listed below:

 Your family members are suffering from diarrhea frequently.

 The type of plumbing in your house and its age - you have brass fixtures, lead pipes,
or lead soldered joints in your household.

 Your water has a strange taste or odor.

 Your water is hard and is leaving soap scum on bathroom fixtures.

 You are purchasing a home, and you want to test the efficiency of a current water
purifier setup in your kitchen.

 You want to purchase a water treatment setup for your house, but are not sure of
what problems exist in your current water supply.

 You want to test the efficiency of an existing water treatment setup.

 There is recurring gastrointestinal distress in your family or visiting guests.

 You are pregnant, or have a child less than six months old living in your household.

 There is septic tank next to your water tank , and it is questionable if the septic tank
is set back far enough from your storage tank.

 Your water tank is near to the industrial zone with ETP plant.

 Your society is near to the dumping ground.

 Your drainage system is passing close to your water tank.

 You have noticed an increased amount of turbidity in your water.

 Your property is near a chemical plant, a gas station (either abandoned or not), mining
operation, a landfill/dump, dry-cleaners, junkyard, heavily salted roadway, or an
oil/gas drilling company.
5 Reasons to Test Water

A lot of us know that we should test our water when we notice a problem with it.
Three of the most common problems are when the water gives off a bad smell, is
discolored or leaves behind stains. However do you realize that som e problems
you may be facing such as gastrointestinal upsets, dry skin, or even hardness
may be a sign that there is something wrong with your water? Most dangerous
contaminants are not easily noticeable in our water and the only reason to know
for sure that the water is safe to drink/use is to test the water.

If this is not reason enough to test your water read below what we believe to be 5
of the major reasons you should have your water tested.

1. The most important reason to test your drinking water - the ANNUAL
checkup.
The most important reason to test water is the annual checkup/clean the tank.
The tank accumulates solid particles at the bottom. This happens over time.
Sometimes those changes occur in a matter of months. Other times it can take
years. Annual maintenance of your tank is the owner’s responsibility. Like the
physical exam you routine receive or give to your pet, like changing the oil in your
car on a set schedule, your well needs that checkup and maintenance also.
Virtually there are many services available to clean the tank. That maintenance
should include a test of the water and disinfecting the tank.

2. If you are pregnant, nursing or caring for an infant.

If you are expecting a child or if you have recently had a baby, it is very
important to get your water tested. Not just for your health but for the sake of the
baby. Infants and pregnant women are very vulnerable to contaminated water and
because of their delicate conditions they are most susceptible to illnesses caused
by water contamination. If you or any member of your household falls under this
category, then please get your water tested.

3. If any member of your household experiences recurring gastrointestinal

distress.
Gastrointestinal distress can be caused by a wide variety of things and one major
factor that is routinely overlooked is the possibility th at it can be caused by your
water. If any member of your household (including pets) experiences recurring
gastrointestinal distress, it may be a sign that microorganisms or co pper are
contaminating your water.

If gastrointestinal distress has been a recurring problem in your home, it is

strongly recommend that you test your water as soon as possible. The only wa y to
be sure that your water is not the culprit is to get it tested at the earliest.

4. If your home has lead pipes, brass fixtures or lead soldered joints.
The presence of lead pipes or lead soldered joints (in construction prior to 1986)
and most brass fittings puts your water at risk of being contaminated by lead.
Lead typically enters the water through the corrosion of the soldering of pipes,
fixtures, or joints. The longer water has sits in your pipes, the more likely it is to
have some kind of contamination from lead. Lead in the water causes damage to
both adults and children, and can cause kidney damage, mental disabilities in
individuals, and more. If your home has lead pipes, brass fixtures, or lead
soldered joints, you would most certainly need to ge t a water test.

5. If your home is located near any farms, industrial facility, gas stations,
dry cleaners or waste disposal sites.
Your water comes from deep sources and the supply source is not isolated to your
property. Water comes from aquifers and these aquifers often flow from one place
to another. Chemicals and other contaminants can s eep into the ground water
from various industrial facilities and be transported into your water . . . even if
you live two or more miles from these facilities. It is important to know that they
are not engaged in any practices that may put the health of yo ur family at risk.
The only way to know for sure is to test your water.