Bacteria in Drinking Water

The tap water in your home is likely declared safe by authorities, but it is usually only tested up to the house connection and may therefore not be free of contaminants . In some cases, tap water contains very low levels of pollutants and bacteria that are not harmful to your health. In other cases, however, drinking water can contain relatively high concentrations of heavy metals, chemicals, and microorganisms. These can affect the nervous and reproductive systems and cause gastrointestinal issues or chronic illness.

Risk factors – even at low concentrations

Even at low levels, certain factors influence the health risks posed by contaminants, including:

• Type of contamination
• Concentration of the substance in the water
• Daily water consumption
• Duration of exposure

Which bacteria can be dangerous in drinking water?

Common pathogens

Harmful microorganisms such as parasites and bacteria in drinking water can cause serious health issues. Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and E. coli are common pathogens introduced via wastewater. Coliform bacteria occur naturally in soil, plants, and the digestive tract of humans and animals.

Fecal coliforms and E. coli

Not all coliforms are dangerous, but fecal coliforms like Escherichia coli (E. coli) can cause illness. Drinking water contaminated with E. coli can lead to intestinal infections, with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, typically within 1–8 days.

Giardia and Cryptosporidium

Giardia lamblia is a parasite that causes giardiasis. Symptoms include nausea, cramps, bloating, and diarrhea, with an incubation period of around 2 weeks.

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that causes severe diarrhea. It spreads through contaminated water and may survive in treated systems. Only specific testing can detect it reliably.

Why testing your drinking water is important

What a water analysis reveals

Testing your water can identify which bacteria are present. A positive test for coliforms may point to contamination and possible E. coli growth. In that case, your treatment system may need repair – or, if you don’t have one, proper disinfection is necessary.

Action in case of contamination

If Cryptosporidium is detected, immediate action is needed: it is chlorine-resistant and can survive for long periods. Well water can also be contaminated through sewage contact. Boiling or advanced filtration (e.g., reverse osmosis) is effective.

If Giardia is found, boiling and filtering the water can deactivate the parasite.

Conclusion: Only testing gives clarity

A drinking water analysis is the most reliable way to detect bacterial contamination. It provides timely insight into potential health hazards so that you can act quickly and safely.

Our bacterial water tests screen for general bacterial contamination as well as specifically for coliforms and E. coli.