Giardia In Water
Giardia in your drinking water
Each year an estimated 34,000 people across New Zealand fall ill by drinking water from the tap. However, being a first-world country, this is a high number of inhabitants who suffer from contaminated water. Bacteria, viruses or parasites like Giardia in water cause most of these diseases. On the one hand, they enter the human organism via drinking water. On the other hand, when showering or drinking unpurified water, e.g. from water tanks.
Moreover, recent epidemiological research shows a correlation between water pollution and chronic diseases. Not only biological contaminants in drinking water endanger human health. Also, chemical contaminants of natural or human origin, such as pesticides from agriculture or chemicals from industry, pose a threat. For example, elevated concentrations of arsenic, lead or fluoride can cause disease in the long term.
Safe drinking water is crucial
Our drinking water analysis tests your water for coliform germs, E Coli, enterococci, aluminium, arsenic, bacteria, lead, bacteria, hormones, Fluoride, fungicides, giardia, Legionella, microorganisms, pesticides, iron, manganese, salts, sediments, heavy metals and viruses. In most cases, these contaminants can be easily removed by a UV water filter system ozone treatment without adding chemicals like chlorine.
Aqua Works Guarantee Giardi free* drinking water. This water meets the Drinking Water Standards of New Zealand 2005 (revised 2018) and all legal requirements. The guarantee only applies if Aqua Works specifies, installs and is employed to service a UV filtration system at regular intervals to be agreed upon at the time of install, depending on your water quality. Responsibility is unable to be taken if raw water quality changes. We recommend annual testing of ground and surface water.
*Giardia free means no active e.coli & water that passes NZ drinking water standards.
Book a water test
Avoid these diseases from Giardia in water you drink and get your water tested. Therefore, book a free onsite consultation today and Aqua Works will help you to enjoy safe, pure and healthy drinking water!
Contaminant in your water: Giardia
What is the issue with Giardia in water?
Giardiasis is an infection of the small intestine caused by the unicellular protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia. Transmission most commonly occurs through contaminated water or food. The main symptoms are abdominal cramps and diarrhoea.
Giardiasis is a protozoan infection that occurs worldwide and is the most common parasitic intestinal infection in the United States. Giardia protozoa can form a protective shell (called a cyst). This allows them to survive outside the body for long periods of time (e.g., in lakes, rivers or water tanks) and makes them less susceptible to chlorine (e.g. in town water). These cysts can be excreted in the stool and cause serious infections, especially for children, the elderly or people with weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of Giardiasis NZ
Some infected people have no symptoms but may shed Giardia cysts in their stool, infecting others. If symptoms occur, they begin about 1 to 2 weeks after infection.
Symptoms of giardiasis usually include abdominal cramps, bloating, burping, and watery, foul-smelling diarrhoea. Nausea may come and go. People may feel tired and vaguely unwell and lose their appetite. Often, people with giardiasis develop lactose intolerance, which can cause diarrhoea, gas, and bloating.
Furthermore, some patients experience prolonged diarrhoea. Consequently, they may not absorb enough nutrients from food, resulting in significant weight loss and dehydration. Ultimately, chronic giardiasis can cause growth retardation in children.
Lifetime consequences fo Giardia infection
Giardia has a simple life cycle. Cysts enter the small intestine of humans/ animals through contaminated water or food, releasing two parasites (trophozoites). These do not leave the intestinal mucosa but move freely or attach to the small intestine’s inner lining. Trophozoites multiply by a simple splitting process and then feed on the nutrients of the infected person.
Giardia typically hooks into the lining of the small intestine. However, in people with previous bowel damage or a weak immune system, the parasites can break through the intestinal wall and cause issues in various other regions of the body (e.g. inflammation of the pancreas). Giardia inflammation leaves no immunity, so there is no protection against re-infection. Therefore, a new infection is possible at any time, as there are different Giardia strains.
Take a walk on the safe side
If you have any doubts that your household might be affected by the health-threatening parasite Giardia in water they rely on, do not hesitate to contact us today to get an onsite water test.
How do Giardia parasites get into your drinking water
Giardia in water supply
Giardia protozoa are common pathogens in freshwater (lakes, rivers, streams), even when they appear to be clean. A Giardia cyst is microscopic and cannot be seen with the naked eye. Thus, clear water seems harmless, but may harbour an invisible danger. Already a concentration of 3 – 5 Giardia cysts in 100 l water can lead to a severe infection with the pathogen.
Poorly filtered municipal water systems contribute to some outbreaks. Most people contract the infection by drinking contaminated water. However, it can also happen through consuming contaminated food or contact with faeces from an infected person. Especially in rural areas, the risk of water contamination by animal faeces from your roof getting into your water tank is high. Additionally, cysts can remain infectious in (drinking) water for up to three months.
Bird droppings cause Giardia in tank water
In New Zealand the chances of getting bird poo or occasionally even possums on the roof of your house are high. Thus, as soon as the rain hits the roof, it collects unwanted impurities such as organic material before it reaches your rain harvesting system. This way, harmful microorganisms such as bird poop and pests but also vermin, insects, snails or even smaller birds get into your water tank. Therefore, under the right conditions, Giardia and also E.Coli bacteria in your tank will grow exponentially.
Turning on the tap, holding a glass under it, and drinking it – it is a thoroughly mundane act that no one thinks of as anything dangerous. However, with millions of parasites in your water supply, this act will get hazardous. Consequently, every single tap in your home poses a significant health risk to you and your family.
Keeping water safe
Whenever you turn on your tap, minuscule, invisible Giardia pathogens can flushed out and end up in your water glass. Minimise your risk of contracting a parasite-related diarrhoea today. Your water resources must be protected in the best possible way from any deterioration.
Aqua Works has the answer for Giardia in your tank water
Giardia in water – When the tap becomes a disease trap
Pathogenic microorganisms such as the Giardia parasite live in the intestines of infected animals such as birds, opossums, rats, as well as cattle, sheep and goats. Millions of cysts can exist in a single bird or opossum faeces. Consequently, they can enter your water tank through the rainwater harvesting system, contaminating your drinking water source. As soon as you turn on the tap, millions of germs are released, leading to transmission to humans.
The easiest way to determine if your tank water is microbiologically contaminated with Giardia parasites or E coli bacteria is to perform a professional water test. Call us today at 0800 AQUA UV to schedule an on-site appointment for our expert service team to get your drinking water tested.
Whole house UV filter for Giardia in waters
Giardia is a water-borne disease and is very common in fresh water in rural areas in New Zealand. Suppose you have your own water supply and get your drinking water from either rainwater or groundwater (spring, stream, river, borehole, dam). In that case, you need reliable protection against health-threatening germs like Giardia or E. coli from your water tank.
However, removing harmful bacteria from your water tank is easy with modern disinfection/ sterilization equipment. UV, UltraViolet whole house water filter or a Ozone water treatment system are common systems for safe water disinfection. All systems ensure continuous disinfection of your drinking water without adding chemicals or affecting the taste or odour of your water.
How to test for Giardia in water
Get your water tested today to eliminate the chances of a Giardia contamination of your drinking water. Therefore, call us on 0800 AQUA WORKS and our team will help you to be on the safe side and enjoy healthy water.
Water is the elixir of life and our passion
Exceptional support for our water filtration customers
20+ years of experience in Rodney means Aqua Works is your local water filtration expert. Our knowledge of the community and the region we live in, combined with our passion for clean drinking water, is the foundation for our daily work. We offer customised water solutions supporting you to meet your personal needs and individual budget. Our connected, smart product range enables you to master the water in your home. At the same time, it ensures the best purification of your water for healthy, tasty water enjoyment.
As a purpose-driven, local family business, we support you in your decision making by sharing our knowledge about your water resources. This way, we help you to be informed, so you can make great decisions empowering your families health and well being. The protection and provision of safe, potable drinking water in our lives is paramount to all of us. Aqua Work’s water filtration systems, UV filter purification, water treatment, ozone systems, and water pumps give you peace of mind to have a quality trusted, safe system.
Going the extra mile at Aqua Works is what we do to ensure your water is healthy and fit for its purpose. Hence, all our water treatment products are field tried-and-tested, including innovative products and solutions. Do you need help with UV filters, water filtration systems and water pumps or our high-quality UV filter service, water pump repairs or water pump service? Give us a call today at 0800 AQUA WORKS. As we often say, “If you don’t have a filter – You are the filter”.
And if something happens spontaneously, call our 24/7 water pump emergency service at 0212 787 427. We will take care of your problem immediately and make sure that the water in your home is running again as quickly as possible.