Prevention of Reinfection of Treated Water

Many water treatment technologies are currently available that ensure that water for human consumption is not only clean but safe. Several households in the modern world receive tap water that has undergone various treatment processes. However, it is not guaranteed that the initial treatment will suffice. Additional reinfection can always occur. Hence, it is so that correct practices are taken in prevention of reinfection of treated water.

The choice of the method to be used in disinfection on the various factors. Among them is the source of water. For instance, water harvested from rainwater in some places might not need additional treatment. However, it is important to keep it in clean containers to prevent reinfection. When the saltwater from seas is subjected to the desalination process, most microorganisms together with most chemical compounds are often eliminated. As a result, the most critical part of maintaining clean and disinfected water is the subsequent handling, distribution, and storage.

The choice of organic foodstuff over processed ones is also beneficial in the long run. This is because it will lead to the production of biodegradable wastes that can be easily absorbed by nature. One should ensure that their chemicals are not disposed of in a way that could contaminate the water bodies.

The water from most municipal water treatment plants often makes use of chemicals to attain the disinfection process. Chlorination in water treatment, for instance, is the chemical with the greatest application. This is because of its ability to leave residuals in the water. When sufficient levels of residuals are present, the water tends to remain safe long afterward and thwarts any forms of further disinfection.

Pipes should be constantly monitored to avoid bursts and leaks. When the sewerage system is kept in check, even the water distribution system will have lower chances of attracting secondary infections.

It is not just necessary for an individual to decrease water reinfection by the mere safeguarding of water at home. It is also important that people adopt practices that will have a holistic positive effect on water bodies in general. Thus, simple practices like proper handling of wastes will go a long way toward preventing water reinfection. The choice of fertilizers used in people’s gardens will also help prevent ground and surface water pollution.

How domestic handling of water is done is critical in affecting the overall safety of water used in the household. Many remote areas soften lack the piped water systems. Even when piped water is available, leaks in pipes and fittings may lead to contamination of the water. This makes it important to disinfect the water.

Several devices are currently available for domestic water treatment. These devices range in price and the technologies that they use to achieve the water treatment process. An individual having water of questionable quality can easily use one of these devices to attain fresh water. One of the most common technologies that are utilized for this purpose exploits the use of filtration technology. There are several levels of filtration including reverse osmosis and ultra-filtration process in water treatment. All of these work under the same principle, where the contaminated water is placed on one side of a semipermeable membrane within a container. The system then works to allow only the water molecules to pass through. Eventually, only the contaminants are left on one side.

The choice in the storage must be such that no further disinfection occurs in the water. As a result, metallic storage systems ought not to leach into the water and cause further pollution. Furthermore, only appropriate plastic containers that do not affect the water quality should be used. In large-scale water storage, concrete storage systems are often used for this process with great success.

Several small containers are often available in various homes that can safely store water without any threats of reinfection. These often range from materials made of plastic to those made of glasses. While they may offer great protection against reinfection, they must be as sterile as possible. Hot water can be used especially when soap is not available.

A significant aspect of achieving success in the water storage process is to ensure that the containers used are properly sealed. Hence, it is not enough that the containers are clean. One should also ensure that the respective lids are used. This will be effective in preventing contact with insects that may lay their larvae. Insects such as mosquitoes are notorious for this and could cause an infestation. This has the potential to lead to malaria.  

One way of sterilizing the containers before adding water is by simply cleaning with soap and water before rinsing thoroughly. Oxidizing chemicals can also be used to attain satisfactory results. Chemicals such as sodium metabisulfite or potassium metabisulfite can also be used when available. These are often used as cleaning agents in industrial applications.

Despite the effectiveness of treatment plants, the only way to be certain that the water flowing through your tap is clean is to subject it to further treatment. The treatment does not have to be complex or costly, and can merely be attained through boiling of the water. Research has shown that boiling for at least a minute eliminates virtually all pathogens. If the water had been previously treated, then this would be just sufficient additional treatment. Since most tap waters are often chlorinated, some consumers might not want to drink the treated water without consuming the chlorine. To remove the chlorine from water, one can easily boil it for a few minutes and let it cool. The chlorine will evaporate leaving fresh and disinfected water. The removal of chlorine is often desired since the chemical might have negative long-term effects on the consumer.

To prevent the reinfection of water, it is necessary that individuals and organizations alike be both cautious and responsible in their behaviors. At home, the individual needs to carry out further water disinfection practices to ensure that the water meets the safety standards. Also, he is supposed to exercise due diligence in the storage of the water. Finally, it is important to speak out against any source of contamination such as leaks or bursts. This will help force the relevant authorities to take the required mitigation measures.

While treatment of water is often necessary to make it safe for consumption, one more essential practice is to keep it safe for consumption. Several factors increase the likelihood of treated water getting reinfected. However, with proper practice, one can easily avoid any further pollution.