Safe drinking water and legionella prevention

In many areas of the world the leisure industry delivers PET bottles to their guest with mineral or potable water, due to the fact that municipal drinking water is of inferior quality and does not taste good. These PET bottles are exposed to the environment and after decades become micro plastics (PFAS).

Furthermore Legionella in showers is a great health risk to the guest and leads to high maintenance cost. In the the showers Legionella prevention is of great concern, as it is usually spread by breathing in mist that contains the bacteria. It can also occur when contaminated water is aspirated. A Legionellosis is any disease caused by legionella. In showers however it is most of the time a Pneumonia.

UVOX Redox^® can contribute to more sustainability by turning inferiour municipal water to delicious drinking water.

Safe drinking (potable) water is water that can be delivered to the user and is safe drinking, food preparation, personal hygiene and washing. According to the World Organization`s 2017 report, safe drinking water is water that “does not represent any significant risk to health of the human being.”

Water can carry vectors of disease. Waterborne diseases are conditions (meaning adverse effects on human health, such as death, disability, illness, or disorders) caused by pathogenic micro-organisms that are transmitted in water. These diseases can be spread while, drinking water, showering, bathing, washing, or by eating food exposed to contaminated water.

In drinking water micro-organisms causing diseases that characteristically are waterborne prominently include protozoa and bacteria, many of which are intestinal parasites or viruses. While diarrhea and vomiting are the most commonly reported symptoms of waterborne illness, other symptoms can include skin, ear, respiratory, or eye problems. Furthermore, there are multiple micro-pollutants, such as pesticides, disinfection by-product but also taste or odour, that can harm infants considerably.

In many areas of the world tap water is not used for drinking. The hotels deliver their clients PET bottles with mineral or potable water. These PET bottles are disposed to the environment and stay in the ecosystems for decades. After some time these PET bottles become microplastics (PFAS), which are one of the hazardous micro-pollutants in our natural water resources.

In case tap water is used for drinking, the contamination due to microplastics (PFAS) will diminish to a large extend. The UVOX Redox^® triple purification process can contribute to the supply of safe and tasty drinking water in buildings. Furthermore, UVOX will safeguard Legionella prevention in showers. This is of great importance to the leisure industry, as Legionella in showers is still a great health risk.