In the following article, we will address the problem of enterococci - a type of fecal bacteria in water. What to do when they appear? How to react? How to eliminate them and are they safe for our family and our health?
As a rule, fecal enterococci live in the human digestive system (and also in some animals), so they are not something foreign or rarely encountered when we talk about the bacterial flora we come into contact with. For this reason - wherever humans live, they can also permeate into groundwater and into water sources we use. Both public supplies (water mains) and private deep wells.
As a rule, in the case of water from public mains, the problem of fecal enterococci occurs less frequently because regulations impose the obligation of testing and treating water before supplying it to people. In the case of private wells, we must take care of water testing ourselves and potentially react.
Water contamination with fecal enterococci is, alongside E. Coli bacteria, a very common phenomenon, and in both cases, consuming such water is quite risky and dangerous to health.
Unfortunately, yes, enterococci in water can be dangerous, especially for sensitive individuals, children, the elderly, and pregnant women. The greatest danger, of course, comes from consuming water containing strains of fecal bacteria, but generally, the law concerning water quality across Europe prohibits supplying such water for human use.
The main complications after consuming water containing fecal enterococci are:
When tests show the presence of enterococci in water, immediate disinfection actions are usually applied. Ignoring the problem can lead to food poisoning, urinary tract infections, or other infections. Children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk.
This is a very important question and should be approached without emotion, even if we have just learned that enterococci live in our water and are worried about our children's health.
In a direct way, enterococci are not a fatal threat; there is no need to demonize them. Certainly, the immediate consequence of drinking contaminated water does not lead to death.
However, in an indirect sense - enterococci cause very serious food poisoning, which in individuals with weaker immunity - can even lead to dehydration. This is already a life-threatening situation, so in cases of extreme poisoning - if we observe such - it is absolutely necessary to see a doctor.
Essentially, fecal bacteria in water are not noticeable, tests need to be performed - which you shouldn't wait for if you use your own private water source. Contamination is basically invisible, it also doesn't give off an odor, except in extreme cases. Therefore, symptoms of enterococci can only be considered - essentially the first poisonings in the family, i.e., the symptoms listed above - urinary tract infections, food poisoning with diarrhea and vomiting - and general lowered immunity and susceptibility to infections and inflammation among household members.
The same - or very similar symptoms - may also indicate the presence of E. Coli bacteria in water, but this doesn't change much from a practical standpoint. Also, addressing the problem of E. Coli and enterococci in water is similar, as discussed later.
This is a very common question - what are the permissible norms for fecal bacteria in water. Unfortunately, the permissible norm is 0 (zero). In test results, there is no distinction between low or high content of enterococci or E. Coli in water - their mere presence is already alarming.
Why? Because they are living, mobile organisms that multiply very easily. If they inhabit a water source, one test might show a smaller presence, but another water sample might show a greater one. You can repeat the test to confirm. In this situation, it makes no sense to analyze whether the concentration is high or low - the standard or norm is the absence of detected fecal bacteria in water. The same applies to E. Coli. If their presence is detected - action must be taken.
Similar to water contaminated with E. Coli - water contaminated with enterococci can also be dangerous when used for washing, although the risk is not high - and it mainly concerns individuals with sensitive skin or reduced immunity. Redness or skin irritations may occur, especially in children or the elderly - however, this does not pose a very high threat.
It should certainly be remembered that the main risk of serious enterococcus infection is the consumption of contaminated water.
You can definitely boil using water from a source contaminated with enterococci, because fecal bacteria, as a rule, cannot withstand the temperature of boiling water. In such situations, however, remember that boiling here serves not only to prepare food but also to disinfect the water, so it's good to boil the water thoroughly, a bit longer than usual.
Unfortunately, there is also bad news regarding boiling water containing enterococci. Namely, some fecal bacteria, through evolution, have developed strong endospores and - especially some strains - show partial resistance to boiling. As a rule, however, boiling removes enterococci from water and makes it fit for consumption.
There are several methods for removing enterococci from water, i.e., disinfecting and treating it for consumption - some are less, others more practical. They also differ in effectiveness.
The most effective is the installation of a UV lamp, a sterilizer emitting ultraviolet light - destroying bacteria, fungi, or viruses. This is the most effective and also quite practical method. It is essentially a type of biological filter - a steel tube connected to the water flow, somewhere near the water entry point into the house, where an ultraviolet bulb glows, in the UVC frequency. Effectiveness is up to 99.99% - provided the appropriate UV dose is selected, meaning a sufficiently powerful lamp. The UV dose should be a minimum of 400J/m2 relative to our water flow rate.
Water chlorination is effective, but unfortunately negatively affects the taste and smell of water. Additionally, the chlorination process must be repeated regularly. It also requires careful dosing.
Generally, chlorination is used more for wells, less often for flushing installations, e.g., with calcium hypochlorite. It is increasingly considered an outdated method, which should be used rather in emergencies. In some extensive installations, large households with their own well - chlorination of the installation is used along with the installation of a UV lamp - which then handles the issue. In most cases, however, parallel chlorination of the system is not needed.
This is a kind of solution, involving separating water particles from contaminants - by using a certain type of membrane. It is supposed to stop bacteria, viruses, and microbiological contamination, additionally - also heavy metals.
The advantage is relative affordability and versatility, although effectiveness in combating fecal bacteria is lower than with UV lamps. These two devices together, however, work excellently.
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