From the Guidelines
To ensure safe, healthy tap water, households should prioritize regular testing, proper filtration, and maintenance of their plumbing systems, as these measures can significantly reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses and long-term health effects. The importance of safe drinking water cannot be overstated, as contaminants in water can cause immediate illness or long-term health effects, such as increased risk of cancer, reproductive issues, and neurological problems 1.
Key Measures for Safe Tap Water
- Regularly test water quality using home test kits or local water testing services to identify potential contaminants
- Install water filters appropriate for specific contaminants, such as activated carbon filters for chlorine and organic compounds, reverse osmosis systems for heavy metals, or UV purifiers for bacteria
- Maintain plumbing systems by replacing old lead pipes, fixing leaks promptly, and flushing taps after periods of non-use
- Clean faucet aerators monthly to prevent buildup of sediment and bacteria
- Schedule annual professional testing for bacteria, nitrates, and other contaminants if you have well water
- Stay informed about local water quality by reading annual Consumer Confidence Reports from your utility company
Emergency Procedures
During emergencies or boil water advisories, it is crucial to follow official instructions carefully, which may include boiling water before consumption or using alternative sources of water 1. After a boil water advisory is lifted, households should run faucets and drinking fountains at full flow for more than 5 minutes, or use high-temperature water flushing or chlorination to ensure the water is safe for consumption 1.
Maintenance and Decontamination
Regular maintenance and decontamination of the water system are also vital, which can be achieved by periodically increasing the hot water temperature to more than 150°F (66°C) at the point of use, or by chlorinating the water and then flushing it through the system 1. Decontamination should be performed when the fewest occupants are present in the building, and high-temperature decontamination or chlorination methods can be used, following specific guidelines to ensure effectiveness and safety 1.
By following these guidelines and prioritizing the safety and quality of their tap water, households can significantly reduce the risk of waterborne illnesses and maintain a healthy and safe environment for their members.
From the Research
Ensuring Safe and Healthy Tap Water
To ensure safe and healthy tap water, households can take several measures:
- Use ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and TiO2-photocatalysis to restrict the spread of airborne microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses, as these technologies are cost-effective and ecofriendly 2
- Implement mechanical washing and disinfection practices to control biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites in water sources 3
- Utilize high-pressure processing, pulse electric fields, and cold plasma, which are environmentally friendly technologies for controlling microorganisms in water 3
- Employ low-temperature sterilization technologies to control biological contaminants, such as bacteria and viruses, in tap water 3
- Consider using virus-based chemical and biological sensing, such as bacteriophages, to detect target analytes like bacteria, viruses, and toxins in tap water 4
Additional Considerations
Households should also be aware of the factors that affect the viability and infectivity of airborne microbes, including:
- Desiccation, which can cause phase changes in the outer phospholipid bilayer membranes of gram-negative bacteria and lipid-containing viruses 5
- Radiation, oxygen, ozone, and pollutants, which can decrease viability and infectivity through chemical, physical, and biological modification to phospholipid, protein, and nucleic acid moieties 5
- The importance of periodic surveillance to ensure the overall microbiological safety of tap water 3