Keeping Water Borne Viruses out of the House

Tips for Preventing Viruses From Entering Home Water Sources

Each day, people drink from the trusted water faucets in their homes. Many don’t even think twice about exactly where this water is even coming from. Unfiltered water can flow through a community spreading its contaminants along with it. Diseases caused by unfiltered water are easily transmittable from household to household and can be detrimental to a community.

It is important to get water treatment services, otherwise, diseases can spread like wildfire. In this article, plumbing experts will cover some of the most infamous water-borne viruses and what you can do to protect your home today!

SARS Virus and How Water Helped It Spread

Back in 2002, a novel virus called SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) spread across several countries. This disease caused difficulty breathing, coughing, and fever. It took the lives of many individuals in just days and weeks.

The only treatment for SARS is supportive care. Supportive care allows the body to fight off the virus in hopes that it can be strong enough to do so. Often, people who were immunocompromised fell victim to the 2002 SARS pandemic. And the main sidekick to developing the SARS pandemic: water.

At Amoy Gardens, a known outbreak site of the 2002 SARS virus, faulty drains were to blame. Stool transfers the virus and many drainage systems were dried up and faulty, causing the virus to spread into the water supply of many. This created a cycle of infected water to go through the system and in turn, an outbreak occurred.

Hepatitis A: True Case for a Water-Borne Virus

A devastating illness, Hepatitis A is transferred between hosts through infected water sources. Hepatitis A is a disease that affects the liver. If someone is infected with Hepatitis A, they have contracted the Hepatitis A virus.

This virus can travel over cities through the water source and can have absolutely devastating effects on public health and economic vitality. Hepatitis A is highly contagious and those that are exposed are highly likely to become infected.

If the Hepatitis A virus is contracted, symptoms include fatigue, vomiting, yellowing of the skin, and abdominal pain. Most people that contract Hepatitis A will develop mild symptoms and most likely recover. However, there is a significant portion of people that cannot recover from contracting Hepatitis A. Unsafe water is one of the most prominent hosts of Hepatitis A and can easily spread this deadly virus quickly and efficiently.

How Water Filters Can Help Reduce the Spread of Viruses

The topic on everyone’s mind is protecting yourself from viruses and other bacteria in any form. While most are concerned with airborne issues, but waterborne diseases can also be a cause for concern. One way to combat these issues is with a whole-home water filtration system.

It’s important to first have an understanding of what water quality issues you may be faced with. Depending on your location, minerals and hard water could be your biggest concern. If this is the case, a water softener can easily be installed to soften the water and protect your plumbing for any residue or buildup.

If, however, your main concern is health, then a filtration method like reverse osmosis or carbon filtering could be your best bet. These water treatment methods remove various bacteria and pollutants from the water, ensuring you have a clean source from any fixture in your home.

Of course, it’s always recommended to contact a professional plumbing company. They will be able to inspect your water and find the ideal solution based on your needs.

Trust a Local Plumbing and Drain Pro

Guardian Plumbing and Drain from Cobourg, Ontario are your residential plumbing experts. They are the trusted professionals that can make sure your plumbing and drainage systems are safe, and also offer water quality services to help protect your home. They offer quick services, with personal attention for the highest quality solutions around.

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