What is Cryptosporidium and How to Keep Your Water Safe

What is Cryptosporidium?

In simple terms, Cryptosporidium is a tiny parasite that lives in the faeces of infected people and animals. 

It can survive for long periods outside the body, particularly in water sources, so if you have a water tank you need to be aware of the risk.

When ingested, Cryptosporidium can cause cryptosporidiosis, an illness which can cause things like diarrhoea, stomach cramps, and vomiting.

For most people, cryptosporidiosis, while highly unpleasant, will disappear within a few weeks. But as usual, things can be more serious for immunocompromised individuals so care needs to be taken. Health New Zealand has information on its website for those who think they may be infected, but in short, the first thing to do is visit your local GP.

It is even better of course to avoid getting infected with it!

Reducing the Risks of Cryptosporidium in Water Tanks

Water tanks, especially those that collect rainwater or are filled from surface water e.g. a spring or creek, can become contaminated with Cryptosporidium if proper precautions are not taken. Common sources of Cryptosporidium contamination include faecal matter from birds, rodents, and other animals, as well as human sewage runoff.

Once introduced into a water tank, Cryptosporidium can survive and multiply, posing a risk of infection to anyone who consumes the contaminated water. This problem will worsen if the sediment that builds up in your tank is not regularly cleaned out, as this can act as a breeding ground for the Cryptosporidium to thrive in.

So, how does it get into your water tanks?

When rain falls on roofs or the ground, it can pick up things like faeces from birds, mice, or even people. Then, if this dirty water goes into our water tanks, it can bring along Cryptosporidium too.

How to minimise the risk:

Keep Your Tank Clean: Make sure to clean your water tank regularly to get rid of any sediment or organic material that might be inside. The Safe H2O process cleans the tank and also purifies your water to remove Cryptosporidium. This will help keep the water clean and healthy to drink.

Clean Your Roof and Gutters: Keep your roof and gutters clean to minimise the organic matter carried by the water getting into your tank when it rains. This minimises organic material entering the tank, in which Cryptosporidium can thrive.

Use Filters: 1 micron filters after your pump generally catch tiny things like Cryptosporidium. UV filtration after the sediment filters provides even further protection on an ongoing basis. Installing UV and Sediment filtration in conjunction with regularly cleaning your water tank, provides clean and safe water for continuous protection.

By following these simple steps, you can keep our water tanks clean and make sure that you’re minimising the risk of Cryptosporidium in your drinking water and impacting negatively on you and your family.

Do you have sediment or pathogen build up in your water tank? Want to get your water tank cleaned? Considering filtration? We operate all over the North Island and you can get a free cost estimate by contacting us here.