You drink water to survive and thrive. Among many other things, water helps your body regulate temperature and get rid of waste.
But when you drink contaminated water, it negatively affects your health. Consider these five things that can happen if you drink unsafe water.
1. Diarrhea
One of the most common repercussions of drinking unsafe water is diarrhea. Contaminated water may contain harmful bacteria that can irritate your digestive system. Consequently, diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which can be dangerous or even life-threatening if not treated properly. This means that drinking contaminated water will do the opposite of quenching your thirst.
2. Nausea and Vomiting
Another thing that you can experience if you drink unsafe water is nausea and vomiting. The harmful bacteria that can cause diarrhea may also cause vomiting. Symptoms of nausea and vomiting can start 24 to 48 hours after consuming the water. Children, elderly people, and those who are immuno-compromised are more sensitive to water contamination.
3. Skin Rashes
Safe, clean water keeps your body hydrated and helps your skin stay elastic, but drinking contaminated water can cause your skin to break out in rashes or hives. Contaminated water might look clean, so it’s important to properly filter out drinking water contaminants.
4. Joint and Muscle Pain
If you drink enough contaminated water, you could experience muscle cramps and joint pain. Just like water keeps your skin hydrated, it helps prevent your connective tissues and muscles from stiffening. Clean drinking water helps reduce joint and muscle pain. And if you want to build muscle, you’ll need clean water to help transport the necessary nutrients.
5. Death
Dirty drinking water is deadly. Every year, millions of people die from water-related diseases, such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. And when people drink unsafe water, they fail to gain any of the benefits they’re supposed to get from water. The deadliness of unsafe drinking water has spurred many clean water initiatives around the world.
