It seems we hear it mentioned every so often, most likely in news reports of a group of people who got sick after eating at a restaurant or some similar situation. But even though E. coli is a fairly commonly-heard term, do we really know much about it? And, do we know what to do if we have it in our drinking water?
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “E. coli is a type of fecal bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans”. While most strains are not harmful, the particular strain called E. coli 0157: H7 “is an emerging cause of foodborne and waterborne illness,” according to the agency.
Most reports of illness as a result of E. coli are related to eating undercooked ground beef. However, there have been reports, according to the EPA, of people getting sick after drinking contaminated water or swimming in it.
Municipal treatment plants, which service a large majority of American households, protect the public from E. coli, according to the EPA, “by using chlorine, ultra-violet light, or ozone, all of which act to kill or inactivate E. coli.”
Unfortunately, the EPA reports that most water filters will not keep E. coli out of water; so if you are concerned about E. coli in your water, you will need to adopt other methods to protect yourself and your family. Those methods include UV light, chlorination, or as a last resort, boiling water before using it.
Consumers can view information about their local water system by visiting the EPA website, and do it yourself test kits are an easy and inexpensive way to verify the integrity of a water supply. Just a couple more tools you can use to equip yourself in the battle for safe drinking water.
Related posts:
- Some contaminants in drinking water pose health risks
- Common Drinking Water Problems and Their Remedy
- Safe Drinking Water for Children and Babies
