The most effective way to treat drinking water that is contaminated with cryptosporidium is with a UV water treatment system.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have access to clean and safe drinking water. Studies show that unsafe water together with poor sanitation contributes to 80% of the diseases that may lead to death. On the other hand, clean water alone can reduce water-related deaths by 21%. Untreated water gathered from various water sources such as mountains, rivers, lakes and the underground may contain certain organisms and chemicals that are harmful to the human body. The process of purifying water includes the removal of these particular substances so that anyone who consumes may not be in danger of acquiring water-borne diseases. Contaminants in the water are mostly naturally present in the water. For example, cryptosporidium which causes cryptosporidiosis, is a protozoan parasite that affects the intestines of mammals. It can be transmitted in various ways but water is a common method of transmission. It can be usually found in rivers and lakes which have access to contaminated human sewage and animal waste. It can cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and vomiting.
Crypto thrives inside the intestine of the infected victim. The victim may release some of it in the form of stool. This stage begins weeks after the victim suffers from diarrhea or it may also start at the onset of the diarrhea. Crypto can be transmitted so easily that even by changing diapers, touching surfaces contaminated by the stool of an infected person, caring for an infected animal or person may immediately transfer the crypto into your hands. Those who are at risk of infection include child care workers, parents of infected children, backpackers and campers who drink untreated water, swimmers who might swallow contaminated water from rivers, people handling infected cattle and people exposed to human feces through sexual contact. A person infected by the crypto may suffer from diarrhea, stomach cramps, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever, and/or weight loss around 2 to 10 days after being infected. The symptoms may last up to two weeks. Those who have weakened immune system may be in danger of developing chronic, serious and fatal diseases due to the infection of crypto.
Remember that crypto may be transmitted in the water which has been contaminated by either human or animal feces. It is a very contagious disease that is why infected individuals should always sanitize their hands especially after using the toilet and preparing food. It is also advisable not to swim in recreational water such as pools if you are infected because immersion is enough for contamination. If you suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and sudden weight loss after drinking untreated water or swimming in recreational waters, see your health care provider immediately.
Cryptosporidium has shown resistance to chemical forms of disinfection. Â Due to the hard outer shell of the cryptosporidium oocyst, chemical treatment has been shown to be less effective than is ideal. Â The retention times needed for killing cryptosporidium with chlorine or peroxide are much higher than is seen in practical application of these technologies. Â UV disinfection has been shown to be extremely effective in dealing with this intestinal parasite. Â Systems such as Viqua UVÂ are ideal for protecting a water supply against this dangerous pathogen.