What are waterborne diseases? 

Waterborne disease is an illness brought upon by contaminated water. The illness occurs when someone drinks or baths in/swims in water that is untreated or contaminated with a disease-inflicting microbe or a pathogen found in water. Waterborne illness is also found in food or beverages that were contaminated and then passed through animals - it can also be passed from person-to-person. 

People who drink contaminated water and contract waterborne illness most commonly get diarrhea and vomiting, but waterborne illnesses also cause eye, ear and skin issues as well as respiratory problems. 

Below we will outline some of the other waterborne diseases contaminated water can cause. These diseases include Typhoid Fever, Cholera, Giardia, Dysentery, E. Coli, Hepatitis A, and Salmonella. 

In the developing world and at home

The developing world is facing a water crisis in which people are forced to drink unsafe water from contaminated sources because they have no other choice. Sadly waterborne disease is responsible for illnesses and death in people and children everywhere - and it is preventable. It is estimated that one in three people around the world lack access to quality drinking water. Furthermore, contaminated water and the waterborne diseases they spread are not only limited to developing nations, but they also exist right in our own backyard, in the industrialized world. In the developed world and in the third world, these waterborne diseases have the same root causes, which we will delve into next. 

Causes and symptoms of waterborne diseases

In this next section we’ll delve into facts about different waterborne diseases. These diseases are not just limited to the third world, many of them exist everywhere. Each of these illnesses is preventable, by ensuring that the water you and your family have is not contaminated. Learn about seven waterborne diseases and help prevent them today.

1. Typhoid Fever is common in the developing world and uncommon in industrialized nations. It spreads easily and is estimated to afflict 20 million people a year. It’s causes are contaminated water and food. 
2. Cholera is a bacterial disease which causes dehydration and manifests as extreme discomfort in the form of diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramping. It can be life threatening, though death is an unlikely side effect. It can be prevented by drinking safe, clean water; regular hand-washing; and by taking the following precautions when it comes to food preparation: only eat vegetables you can peel like bananas, oranges and grapefruit, and make sure your food is fully cooked. 
3. Giardia is caused by parasites and can affect a person for years, though it is more likely to disappear after only a few weeks. The parasite causes intestinal issues, stomach pain, cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. It can be cured with antibiotics - but more commonly the parasite will come out on its own. Giardia is spread from swimming or bathing in contaminated water. 
4. Dysentery is often a side effect of bad hygiene and for this reason can be prevented with simple hand-washing. Additionally, it can be contracted by consuming contaminated water or food - usually, which has come into contact with feces. In its most mild form, dysentery clears up after a few weeks on its own - but more potent strains require antibiotics or other medications. 
5. Escherichia Coli (E.Coli) is good and bad - the good type makes intestinal tracts healthy. The bad E.Coli is caused when cattle feces gets into the meat supply, usually during slaughter; or when manure is used on farmland where fruits and vegetables are grown. The best prevention is to thoroughly cook meat, to make sure that fruits and vegetables are well-washed, and to make sure that drinking water is safe and uncontaminated. E. Coli is extremely uncomfortable, consisting of intense stomach cramping, vomiting and diarrhea that is often bloody. It usually lasts a week or less. 
6. Hepatitis A affects the liver and causes jaundice, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever. It is caused by close contact with people who have it or by poor sanitation. The good news is, there is a vaccine for Hepatitis A. Also, people who have had it build an immunity and won’t likely contract it again - but it is a serious disease, with the average full recovery taking a period of three months. 
7. Salmonella can be caused by eating or drinking food contaminated with feces - or, most commonly by eating raw or undercooked meat and eggs. Fruit and vegetables also carry Salmonella - so thoroughly washing produce is a preventative measure. Salmonella causes dehydration and the cramping that comes with it. 

How to prevent water contaminants from getting into your tap water with The Water Machine

An excellent way to protect your water source is with the use of a carbon filtration system. These systems absorb lead, petrochemicals, the pesticides used on farms, and other organic impurities that lead to waterborne illnesses. Now, let’s take a look into The Water Machine, the world’s most eco-friendly water filter. 

Introducing The Water Machine 

The Water Machine is a state of the art Activated Carbon water filter with a sleek, stylish, all-glass design. And, it’s the world’s most eco-friendly water filter. 

Why is The Water Machine the best choice for helping eliminate waterborne illnesses? Because it effectively removes 99.999% of contaminants like viruses, pesticides, fluoride and more. Let’s take a look at some more of the contaminants removed by The Water Machine. It removes: Bacteria like E. coli, Chlorine and Chloramines, Viruses, Parasites, Fluoride, Heavy Metals, Trihalomethane (THMs), Pharmaceuticals, Petroleum Contaminants, Bisphenol-A (BPA), Radiologicals, Perfluorochemicals (PFOAS), and Herbicides & Pesticides. 

We just learned above that E. Coli is often found in feces and causes intense stomach cramps and diarrhea - The Water Machine eliminates it. We also found out that the parasite in giardia can keep a person sick for years and causes intestinal issues - The Water Machine gets rid of that too. 

We hope this article helps you to decide what the best water filter for removing waterborne illness-causing contaminants is for you and your family.