How safe is your drinking water?

Since time immemorial, boiling has been considered the best technique to make water safe for drinking. Besides this rather traditional form of water purification, other conventional water treatment methods have since been introduced at the household level. At a national level, chlorine is applied in big tanks at a concentration that suffocates almost all microorganisms before the water is pumped into taps. But not everyone can afford tap water, and as such others have to rely on spring water or wells. But like Dr Osee Sebatunzi says, much as this water may appear sparkling, it is not safe at all for drinking. The medical director at Kibagabaga Hospital says that raising the temperature to at least 1000C eliminates possibilities of contracting diarrheal causing microoganisms that thrive in water sources. “Diseases such as typhoid and cholera are caused by microorganisms which reside in contaminated water sources,” he says. While warning of additional complications that arise from consuming unsafe water, Dr Sebatunzi further reveals that there is a correlation between water borne illnesses and malnutrition. “It all begins with using dirty water; you get sick, pass out watery stool and lose a lot of solutes and nutrients that are supposed to maintain equilibrium within the body,” he adds. According to the Journal of Nutrition, quality water has solutes that maintain balance between intake of minerals in food and acid base conditions within the body. In addition to this, normal excretion requires plenty of water but consumption of dirty water interferes with all these processes. Water treatment products The World Health Organisation’s international scheme to evaluate, household water treatment technologies bases on predefined criteria similar to prequalification of pharmaceuticals and insecticide-treated bed nets. Under the scheme, water treatment products should be low-cost, appropriate for low-income settings, free standing and able to treat enough water to serve a limited number of individuals for a day. Such products must meet requirements necessary to remove microbiological contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa, from drinking water before classifying performance basing on a three-tiered system. Those that achieve the highest removal of pathogens are given a three-star rating. However, Dr Iba Mayele, a specialist in obstetrics at Clinic Plaza in Kimironko, explains that all treatment practices would be in vain if clean water is kept in dirty places. “This is a common mistake people make. It is a big problem because you cannot ascertain the hygienic quality of the surrounding which is in close contact with the clean water,” says Dr Mayele before warning that: “Taking drinking water in dirty utensils is as bad as consuming untreated water.” When it comes to water safety, a big percentage of people assume that no other water treatment method can be as safe as boiling. People fetching water from a tap. Water sources contain all sorts of microorganisms. Without proper treatment, these organisms which are present in water cause diseases. But Robert Butera, the communications manager at Society for Family Health, a company that supplies water purifying products in Rwanda, explains that chemical water treatment methods are as good and efficient as boiling. “Take an example of the P&G water purifier and Sur Eau. Once a specified quantity of these chemicals is applied to raw water, microorganisms are killed which makes the water very safe for drinking,” Butera explains. According to Butera, supply of these materials necessitates a lot of behavioural change communication because not everyone understands how to use them. “Even when you choose to supply these materials free of charge at the grassroots level, you need to teach people how to use them effectively,” he adds. Current figures from the United Nations indicate that for the last quarter century, about 2.6 billion people gained access to improved water although latest findings indicate that 663million still live without quality supply around the globe. Making tap water safe Several studies have indicated that the human bodies can last weeks without food, but only days without water. Although we need to access drinking water at our convenience, it is misleading to think that tap water is 100 per cent safe. According to experts, before reaching the end user, piped water travels several kilometres with a likely possibility of mixing with the natural environment that is laden with rust and microorganisms. Ruhengeri Hospital internal medicine specialist, Dr Rachna Pande, says that additional purification is necessary for tap water. “Boiling, followed by cooling for 5 to 10 minutes, is necessary. Doing this constantly helps prevent majority of diseases caused by bacteria and only very few resistant bacteria and some viruses may survive,” she says. Another cheap alternative people can use for treating drinking water are tablets of chlorine or iodine, which help to disinfect the water. According to Mayo Clinic, addition of iodine to water is the most effective way to deal with traveller’s diarrhea although too much iodine may be harmful to the body. Furthermore, Dr Mayele adds that chemical treatment of raw water with water guard is another option to make drinking water safe. “Water guard is available on the market and usually the prices are affordable,’’ says Dr Mayele. Experts also advise that those living in the vicinity of a water source should filter it to make it safe for consumption. Isaac Bikorimana, a nutritionist at Kibagabaga Hospital, advises that raw water can be filtered using clay although the method works best if combined with chemical purifiers. “Simple deigns of clay filters can be useful in treating drinking water. Combining these with chemical treatment methods even provides better end results,” says Bikorimana. Drinking water is very important for survival. The human body is made up of 50 to 75 per cent water which makes up blood, digestive juices, urine and perspiration, and is contained in lean muscle, fat and bones. Quality of storage for drinking water also affects its safety. (Photos by Solomon Asaba) Unfortunately in developing countries, studies show that four-fifths of all illnesses are caused by water-borne diseases, with diarrhea being the leading cause of death among children in a population of approximately 1.1 billion people living without access to improved drinking water sources. editorial@newtimes.co.rw ************************************** Top water storage tips Water is the stuff of life. You can go days and even weeks without food but a few days without water can kill you as easily as an infection or wound can, often quicker. This is why storing water for emergencies is so important. There’s quite a few ways to keep water but the big questions are how much water to save and what’s the best way to keep it safe? Use the tips below to get up to speed with emergency water storage and start being better prepared now. l Containers matter: First off, there are two main ways to store water. The first method is to purchase it pre-packaged in traditional water bottles or larger gallon bottles. This is great because it’s simple and not overly expensive. Method number two uses your tap water and is much cheaper and just as effective. It’s worth noting that you can only do this method if you have public tap water. You can use well water for storing, but it’s strongly recommended that you filter and sanitize it first. Other than that method, you can purchase plastic containers built specifically for water storage, just follow their directions on use. Don’t use glass to store water, as while it’s great at being sanitized they’re heavy and too easy to break. l How much? Now that you know what to put your water in, the big question is how much to keep? The minimum water necessary to keep a healthy adult going is one gallon per day. This is enough to keep properly hydrated in normal conditions. Add into this illness, very young or old age and that number is increased. Extreme climates will also increase this number, as will heavy activity. Judge for yourself how much more than the recommended one gallon is right for you. l Store water in a proper location: Whatever containers you choose to keep your water in, you should store it in a cool, dark, dry place. This will make sure the plastic doesn’t break down in sunlight and that temperature extremes don’t damage the container or open it up to infection by outside sources. Ideally you should keep water in your basement on shelves off the floor. By doing that you will keep your water safe and ready for when an emergency comes up. l Water expires: While it’s funny to think that water can expire, it’s true. Water purchased in sealed containers is good for anywhere from 6-12 months. After that it should really be disposed of. While purse H2O will never go bad, it’s impossible to package it in a way that no bacteria or other invisible agent, too. This means the expiration date is basically set for when the acceptable level of bacteria in the water can grow to an unsafe level. l Don’t forget other uses for water: While you need 1 gallon of water to live off of every day, don’t forget the need to keep clean, cook with, and wash your clothes with. All totaled, you can use up an ½ to whole gallon of water per person each day in just these extra uses. Remember, it’s important to think about how you use water now so you save enough for later. Personal hygiene is more important in a survival situation because if you were to get sick, an infection, or even a bad tooth it could easily kill you without the availability of doctors we have today. Agencies ************************************** YOUR VIEWS: Methuselah Ndapateze Methuselah Ndapateze, Nyarutarama resident: After boiling, I leave the water in a saucepan to cool for a few minutes before storing it in a small drum. I ensure that it is capped tight to prevent entry of microorganisms since I have suffered from water borne diseases before. Erick Iradukunda Erick Iradukunda, employee at University of Rwanda: I keep my water in clean containers to avoid being contaminated with germs. I have heard of many complications associated with drinking water that is not boiled, for instance, one can experience stomach pains. I always try as much as possible to drink water after ascertaining its safety. Bentrine Ayizele Bentrine Ayizele, parent: I have used water guard before only that it is not so common on the market here. Because of that scarcity of the product not every one can afford it. The only option most of us are left with is boiling water and find a cool place within the house to store it. Gisele Uwitonze Gisele Uwitonze, a student: We buy bottled water all the time. At home we get drinking water from a dispenser. If I need to access water out of home, I ensure that it is safe with a quality mark placed on the water bottle label. Compiled by Lydia Atieno