Water water everywhere...and not a drop to drink

E Coli continues to cause a multitude of illnesses globally. This particularly pesky bacteria is typically found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms. It’s important to note there are several strains of E-coli, and not all produce the physical ailments we read about from recall notifications, or drinking water supply contamination

Which parts of the population are more susceptible to falling victim to e-coli related illnesses? Typically, the answer is young children, seniors, and immunocompromised individuals will experience the most virulent and debilitating symptoms. Typically, people will experience abdominal cramps, diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, vomiting, and sometimes fever.

How is this transmitted? Unfortunately, e-coli is a fierce survivor and can be unusually difficult to eliminate. Total coliforms and E-coli are used as indicators to measure the degree of pollution and sanitary quality of well water, because testing for all known pathogens is a complicated and expensive process. The main source of pathogens in drinking water is through recent contamination from

• Human or animal waste
• Improperly treated septic and sewage discharges
• Leaching of animal manure
• Stormwater runoff
• Domestic animals or wildlife

As a healthcare provider, clinician, or parent, is there a way to inexpensively identify the presence of E-coli? Yes, there is. The mWater Test Kits are a simple single-use water quality test kits that meet WHO guidelines. Best of all, the mWater Test Kit is mWater Test Kits don’t require extensive training to use. Simply fill the sample bag with water, add one drop of the solution, and read the results in 24 hours.

The kits have proven quite popular with a multitude of groups like USAID DIV, The World Bank Innovation Fund, Water.org, WaterAid International, Haiti Outreach, UNICEF, WHO, and UN HABITAT. Each of the test kit bundles contains 20 individual test kits for only $180 plus shipping. Make sure your water is ‘Baby safe’ and order yours today.