Local public water utilities are required by law to supply water that meets certain quality and safety standards for human use and consumption. This doesn’t mean that the water that comes out of your faucets is sterile. There’s always a small number of germs floating around in the water.

Germs are organisms that can only be seen under a microscope.  They can include bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and more. Germs can exist and multiply in a wide range of aquatic environments, including the plumbing that runs through your home. Some of these microorganisms can potentially make you and your family very sick.

Some Waterborne Germs Can Make You Very Sick

According to the Centers for Disease Control, there are many kinds of harmful germs that can live and multiply in your home’s water system. Some of these harmful germs include:

• Legionella spp. (can cause lung infections)
• Nontuberculous mycobacteria (can cause lung, blood, or skin infections)
• Acanthamoeba spp. (can cause brain and eye infections)
• Naegleria fowleri (can cause brain infections)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa (can cause blood, lung, or skin infections)

Despite this, there’s no need to panic. A majority of these waterborne germs are harmless, Most healthy people that are exposed to the germs living in a home’s plumbing do not get ill. However, certain groups of people are more susceptible to waterborne infections than others. These groups can include infants, people over 50, persons with weakened immune systems, people with underlying medical conditions, and those who wear contact lenses.

It’s important to know how to protect yourself and others from waterborne germs and contaminated water in your home. You probably know that drinking water contaminated with certain waterborne germs can result in vomiting, diarrhea, and other stomach distress. But that’s not the only way waterborne germs can make you sick.  You can get ill when the contaminated water:

• Is inhaled as a mist
• Comes into contact with an open wound
• Goes up the nose
• Is splashed in your eyes
• Is used to rinse or store contact lenses

Keeping Yourself Safe From Waterborne Illnesses

How do these microorganisms grow in your home’s plumbing system? Some waterborne germs live together in groups and release a slimy, glue-like substance called a biofilm. This helps the germs survive by protecting them from the effects of chlorine and other chemicals used to treat water.

Germs can also grow in your pipes when you don’t turn on your taps for extended periods of time. The stagnant water inside the pipes provides an ideal environment for waterborne microorganisms.

There are many steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from waterborne germs inside your home. This includes cleaning and maintaining all devices that use water, such as showerheads, faucets, and water heaters. Communicate with your local water utility if you have any concerns about the safety of your drinking water.

1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration is Here to Keep Your Plumbing Safe and Sound

1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration is here to help protect you and your family from waterborne germs. We provide a number of services, including water heater flushing, that can help you maintain a healthy water supply inside your home.

1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration has been delivering outstanding plumbing repair services to home and business owners throughout the Oceanside, CA area since 2012. This includes 24/7 emergency plumbing services. In most cases, one of our licensed Oceanside, CA plumber contractors can be onsite within an hour of your call.

You can get in touch with 1st Choice Plumbing, Flood & Restoration through our website or call us at 866-437-0205.