Drinking contaminated water can cause you and your family to develop serious health conditions that lead to life-long impacts on your health. Public health depends upon a safe water supply. Companies and corporations that fail to dispose of their waste properly cause significant issues within the community. But what happens when you drink contaminated water? And how can you seek compensation?
If you believe your water supply contains toxic chemicals or pathogens, contact the experienced water contamination lawyers at Reich & Binstock today. The Houston personal injury attorneys at Reich & Binstock have been holding major corporations accountable for over twenty years. Our scope isn’t limited to Houston–our personal injury attorneys pursue mass tort cases throughout the nation. In this article, we’ll explain the dangerous effects of drinking contaminated water and let you know what you can do to get help.
For more information about Reich & Binstock, call us today at (713) 622-7271.
What Does Contaminated Mean?
Contaminated water is any water that exceeds the allowable pollutant levels set by the EPA. The Safe Water Drinking Act allows the EPA to set standards for drinking water and enforce them. Water contamination results from toxic chemical run-off, fecal waste, and unsafe chemical disposal. These chemicals are toxic to you and your family and cause long-term health issues. Fecal matter in the water supply can transmit dangerous diseases and infections.
A water supply can be contaminated in any number of ways. Heavy rains can push sewage and wastewater into the water supply. Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, and other chemicals used on land can seep into the groundwater used by local water supplies. Poor maintenance within the water distribution center can lead to bacteria entering the water supply as well.
Common Water Pollutants in Texas
Texas has long had issues with polluted water supplies. More than 16 million pounds of toxic chemicals were released into Texas water sources in 2012. When measured by toxicity according to EPA guidelines, this number jumps to a whopping 34 million toxicity-weighted pounds. This number doesn’t even include petroleum products from oil and gas drilling industries, which is another source of toxic pollution in Texas. In most cases, chemical contaminants come from waste produced by large factories.
Waterborne Diseases and Infections
Some diseases can be transmitted through the water supply if the contaminant isn’t filtered out properly. Some common waterborne diseases include:
- Dysentery
- Cholera
- Polio
- Typhoid Fever
- Legionella
- Hepatitis A
Symptoms of Drinking Dirty Water
Drinking water contaminated with chemicals or bacteria can have deadly consequences for you and your family. Some illnesses can cause some minor discomfort, but water with high levels of metal can cause heavy metal poisoning. Below, we’ll go over some of the most common physical and neurological symptoms of drinking contaminated water.
Physical Symptoms
The physical symptoms that can stem from drinking water laced with contaminants can be as mild as minor cramping. In fact, some people who drink contaminated water have no initial symptoms but often have lasting side effects. Some of the most common physical symptoms include:
- Rashes
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Reproductive problems
- Liver problems
- Kidney failure
- Diarrhea
Neurological Symptoms
Drinking contaminated water can cause neurological problems as well as physical issues. Some of the most common neurological problems include:
- Developmental issues
- Headache
- Paralysis or loss of function
If you or your family is suffering from these symptoms and you believe it’s from the water supply, you can contact the water contamination lawyers at Reich & Binstock. We can help you pursue a lawsuit against the corporations that have injured your family.
Long-term Consequences of Contaminated Drinking Water
Drinking contaminated water can have fatal consequences. Certain chemicals and waste in the public water supply have been linked to severe health consequences like cancer, reproductive issues, and developmental delays.
Pregnant women and unborn children are at an increased risk of developing infections and illnesses from a contaminated water supply. With enough exposure, many chemicals in the water supply can cause birth defects.
Is Boiled Water Safe to Drink?
Many people believe that boiling contaminated water makes it safe to drink, but this is not always the case.
Disadvantages of Drinking Boiled Water
Boiling water can kill most pathogens, but boiling water will not remove heavy metals or chemical contaminants. Prolonged exposure to harmful chemicals and heavy metals in water can cause major health problems.
Does Drinking Hot Water Have More Benefits?
Drinking warm water may help increase blood flow, but it does not seem to have more benefits than drinking room temperature or cold water. The most beneficial quality of water is that it is clean and free of contaminants.
How Can I Tell if My Drinking Water Has Been Contaminated?
It can be hard to tell if your drinking water is contaminated, as many contaminants are tasteless and odorless. Microbes that cause deadly infections and diseases are too small for the eye to see and don’t affect the taste of water.
Is Well Water Better than Public Water Systems?
Well water can be contaminated as well. Many people who live on a well system believe they are protected from the common pollutants found in public water systems. Wells are supplied by groundwater, which can be contaminated by multiple sources. The Safe Drinking Water Act does not give the EPA jurisdiction over private wells, only over public water systems.
How an Experienced Water Contamination Lawyer Can Help
If you or someone you love fell ill after drinking dirty water, you have options available to recover compensation for the injuries.
The Houston water contamination lawyers at Reich & Binstock can help you pursue a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party. These negligent parties are often major corporations that have a legal team of their own. The class action attorneys at Reich & Binstock have the experience and knowledge necessary to go head to head with these industry titans. Call us today at (713) 622-7271 to schedule a free consultation.
