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Home   /   Knowledge Base   /   Untreated Water Risks: What You Need to Know

Untreated Water Risks: What You Need to Know

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Article ID: KBA-6
Date: December, 2023

Untreated Water May Contain Various Contaminants

Whether you’re a business owner or a homeowner, understanding the risks of untreated water is crucial. This comprehension can guide you in selecting the right water treatment system to protect you, your family, or your employees.

Untreated water may contain various contaminants, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, heavy metals, and harmful chemicals. These contaminants can lead to serious health issues and damage to appliances and plumbing systems.

Before we delve into the intricacies of the risks, let’s first unpack where these dangers stem from.

The Five Most Common Sources of Water Contamination

1. Natural Contaminants

Natural contaminants originate from the earth or biological activities. These include:

  • Minerals: Naturally occurring minerals, like iron, arsenic, and lead, can dissolve into groundwater. Their presence in drinking water can cause health problems if consumed in large amounts.
  • Microbes: These are microscopic organisms that can naturally exist in fresh water. Some are harmless, while others, like bacteria, viruses, and parasites, may cause illnesses.

2. Agricultural Activities

Agricultural practices can significantly impact the water quality. Common agricultural contaminants include:

  • Pesticides and Herbicides: These are chemicals used to control pests and weeds. They can leach into groundwater or run off into rivers and lakes.
  • Fertilisers: Nutrient-rich fertilisers can cause nitrate and phosphate contamination, which can lead to harmful algal blooms in bodies of water.
  • Animal Waste: Waste from livestock and poultry farms often contains bacteria, viruses, and nutrients. If improperly managed, these can contaminate local water sources.

3. Industrial Waste

Industrial activities can also contribute significantly to water pollution. This contamination can come from:

  • Wastewater: Industries such as manufacturing and mining generate wastewater that may contain harmful substances.
  • Chemical Spills: Accidental spills during the transport or storage of chemicals can lead to serious water pollution events.

Remember, the specific contaminants in your water will depend on your location and the activities in your vicinity. To ensure you’re choosing the right water treatment system, you should test your water to identify the specific contaminants present.

4. Urban Runoff

Living in a city or town can also contribute to water pollution. This is mainly due to:

  • Stormwater Runoff: Rainwater that washes over streets and buildings can pick up various pollutants, such as oils, metals, and litter, which then flow into water bodies.
  • Sewage and Septic Systems: Leaks or overflows from these systems can introduce harmful bacteria and viruses into groundwater or surface water.

5. Improper Waste Disposal

Improper disposal of household and commercial waste can lead to water contamination. This includes:

  • Landfills: Leachate from landfills can contaminate groundwater if not properly managed.
  • Hazardous Waste: Products like paints, oils, and batteries contain dangerous chemicals that can contaminate water if disposed of incorrectly.

Health Risks from Untreated Water

Improper waste management leads to water contamination through various pathways. Pollutants from sewage and agricultural runoff introduce harmful chemicals and pathogens, posing health risks. Industrial activities discharge dangerous pollutants into freshwater, while deforestation increases erosion and sedimentation, disrupting ecosystems.

Careless waste disposal contributes toxic substances to water sources, complicating treatment efforts. These issues highlight the urgent need for improved waste handling and environmental protections to ensure water quality.

Health Risks

  • Bacterial Infections: One of the most common risks of untreated water is bacterial infections. Water that has not been treated can contain harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. These bacteria can cause various illnesses, from mild stomach upset to severe diarrhea, vomiting, and even death.
  • Viral Infections: Untreated water can contain viruses such as Hepatitis A and Norovirus. These viruses can cause serious illnesses and are particularly dangerous for people with weakened immune systems.
  • Parasitic Infections: Parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium can also be found in untreated water. These parasites can cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramps, and dehydration.
  • Heavy Metals: Heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury can also be found in untreated water. These metals can cause various health problems, including developmental delays, neurological issues, and cancer.
  • Chemical Contamination: Untreated water can contain various chemicals such as pesticides, herbicides, and industrial pollutants. These chemicals can cause multiple health problems, including cancer, reproductive issues, and neurological disorders.
  • Algal Blooms: Algal blooms can occur in untreated water and produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. These toxins can cause various health problems, including liver damage, respiratory problems, and neurological problems.

Health Problems

Untreated water may contain harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause various health issues like:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Fever

In severe cases, they can lead to life-threatening conditions like:

  • Cholera
  • Typhoid fever
  • Hepatitis A.

Untreated water can also contain harmful chemicals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury. Exposure to these chemicals can cause various health problems, such as:

  • Developmental delays in children
  • Kidney damage
  • Cancer

In addition, untreated water can contain high levels of minerals such as iron, manganese, and fluoride, which can cause:

  • Staining of teeth
  • Skin irritation and other health problems

Sources of Health Information

The health information presented above is supported by extensive research on the impacts of untreated water on human health. Studies from reputable organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have documented the severe risks of contaminated water.

Risks to Business & Homes

Untreated can damage appliances and plumbing systems in your home or business. This is because untreated water often contains minerals like calcium and magnesium, which build up over time, causing what’s known as hard water.

Repair Costs

Untreated water can cause various problems, such as corrosion, leaks, and damage to appliances like washing machines and water heaters. Repairing these problems can be expensive.

Hard water can lead to scale build-up in your pipes and appliances, diminishing their efficiency and lifespan. It can also cause spots and a film on glassware and utensils, making them appear dirty.

Higher Electricity Costs

Hard water can lead to higher electricity bills because mineral deposits accumulate in water heaters and pipes, forming an insulating layer of sediment. This insulation forces the water heater to work harder to heat the same amount of water, consuming more electricity and increasing costs.

Furthermore, hard water can cause mineral buildup in pipes, restricting water flow and reducing the efficiency of appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. When these appliances do not operate efficiently, they may require more electricity, contributing to increased electricity costs.

How can the Water Treatment Specialists at Dowdens help?

Since 1973, Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment has provided reliable water treatment solutions. Our experienced team tailors systems to meet clients’ unique requirements. We prioritise customer service, offering timely support, maintenance, and after-sales assistance for complete satisfaction.

  • We specialise in water treatment systems for commercial, industrial, and residential needs.
  • We can perform a comprehensive water analysis to identify any issues with your water.
  • We offer top brands such as Clack, Bermad, Atlas Filtri, Purion, Grundfos, and Davey.
  • Our product range includes filters, housings, consumables, storage tanks, cabinets, control valves, dosing pumps, and control systems.

Are you interested in improving your health and curbing unnecessary expenses for your business or home? Why not delve into our extensive collection of water treatment solutions?

Contact our knowledgeable team for any assistance or queries you may have. Experience the power of a reliable water supply with Dowdens today!

Contact Dowdens

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Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment offers a wide range of water treatment solutions. Our extensive selection allows us to provide customised solutions for any project, supported by our industry-trained engineers, draftsmen, project managers, salespeople, and tradespeople who can design tailored solutions for various purposes.

Our experienced team is ready to assist you in selecting the right products to meet your needs. Whether you require an immediate solution or are planning for the long term, we can help you source the products necessary for a successful installation.

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Atlas Filtri BIG F Pro 256 with 5 Mic Carbon 20″ BIG – UV Filtration System

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Atlas Filtri CA 0.3 Micron Silver Impregnated Bacteriostatic Carbon Block CASE Chlorine Cyst Reduction Filter 10″ Std

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Atlas Filtri DP TRIO Filter Housing 20″ BIG 1.5″ In/Out with Spanner & Bracket

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Clack Mineral Tanks

SKU: G216-SERIES

Clack 16 Round Brine Tank Series 33/40

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Clack WS1.5EI Specialist Water Control Valve 1.5 Inlet/Outlet

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Clack WS2H Specialist Water Control Valve 2 Inlet/Outlet

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Grundfos DDE 120-7 99246459 Digital Dosing Pump

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Grundfos DME 940-4 AR Digital Dosing Pump

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Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment provides comprehensive services across various industries, including tailored Asset Management, a user-friendly Document Library, and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for large projects.

Our Knowledge Base aids in troubleshooting pumping and water treatment challenges, while branches in Mackay, Rockhampton, Brisbane, and Proserpine offer convenient access to workshop and field services.

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At Dowdens, we are committed to providing our customers with the resources they need to make informed decisions and achieve their goals. That’s why we maintain a comprehensive Document Library brimming with valuable insights about our latest product offerings, industry expertise, and real-world applications.

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Dowdens has a large video library that we hope will provide insights and help you better understand how our products work and can be used. You can view our entire library by clicking on the link below.

Featured Case Studies

Looking for more information, our Case Studies provide detailed insights into various projects that Dowdens Pumping & Water Treatment has effectively managed and completed.

CS-121 – Nov 2020

Truck Stop / Service Station Water and Sewage Treatment Plant with Irrigation System

CS-49 – December 2012

Reverse Osmosis Treatment System for Townsville General Hospital

CS-53 – February 2014

Mackay Base Hospital UV Sterilisation System

CS-28 – August 2011

Dulux Group Water Treatment Installation

CS-99 – January 2020

Nebo Township Water Treatment Plant

CS-37 – June 2016

Coppabella Township Water Treatment Plant

CS-29 – January 2013

Modular Packaged Potable Water Treatment Plant for Quarries

CS-69 – April 2012

Water Treatment System Goonyella Riverside Mine

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The Dowdens Team are ready to help. Contact us today for more information and to start the conversation.

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Dowdens has four convenient locations throughout Queensland. We have branches in Mackay and Proserpine in the north, servicing the Sugar and Coal industries, a centrally located branch in Rockhampton, specialising in the Agricultural and Coal industries, and a branch in Brisbane, servicing multiple industries in southeast Queensland.

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