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Common Water Problems Revised: September 23rd 2025

Bacteria And Viruses In Drinking Water

The presence of bacteria and viruses in water can pose major health risks. Learn more about these contaminants and how Kinetico can help protect your family's water.

Bacteria testing for tap water

Bacteria and Viruses in Water

Some contaminants in your home’s water supply cannot be detected through sight, smell, or taste. Even water that appears crystal clear may still harbor microscopic bacteria and viruses that can pose serious health risks if ingested over time. These microorganisms can cause gastrointestinal illness, infections, or other adverse health effects, making water testing an important step for every household.

Bacteria and viruses can enter water supplies through a variety of sources, including leaking septic tanks, agricultural runoff, aging or damaged water distribution pipes, floods, surface water entering wells, or contamination from animals, plants, and insects. While bacteria are more commonly associated with well water, city water can also become contaminated under certain circumstances. Municipal water utilities work hard to provide safe drinking water, but once water leaves the treatment plant, it can encounter conditions that compromise its safety before it reaches your tap. In 2025, regular water testing and installing an appropriate home water treatment system—such as UV disinfection, filtration, or reverse osmosis—are effective ways to safeguard your family from harmful microorganisms while ensuring cleaner, safer drinking water.

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Examples of bacteria and viruses that can be found in water

  • Bacteria
    • E. coli
    • Salmonella
    • Shigella
    • Giardia
  • Viruses
    • Norovirus
    • Hepatitis A & E
    • Caliciviruses

Symptoms of Bacteria or Viruses in Water

It is difficult to determine if contaminated water is the reason you feel ill, or if there is another source. The symptoms of bacterial and viral infections can vary and are similar to symptoms caused by other forms of illness. In general, bacterial infections can cause gastrointestinal illness with symptoms such as fever, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea whereas viral infection symptoms can include tiredness, fever, vomiting, headaches, muscle aches and cramps. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and believe it is related to the water you drink, it is important to seek medical advice and stop drinking the potentially contaminated water. If contaminated water is continually ingested, it could lead to dehydration, weight loss and possibly death.

Ensure Your Water Is Protected

Against Harmful Bacteria And Viruses

Contact A Kinetico Water Expert Today

Fill out your information below and we’ll have one of our authorized, independent Kinetico dealers contact you to schedule your free in-home water test. 

The Kinetico Purefecta® Guard is certified by the WQA to remove more than 99.99 percent of viruses and 99.99999 percent of bacteria.

How to Treat Contaminated Water

Kinetico K5 CutawayWhether your water is supplied by a well or municipal treatment center, there is no guarantee that the water supply in your home is entirely free of bacteria, viruses or other contaminants. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), boiling is a highly effective method to reduce or eliminate bacteria and viruses in water. The water should be heated to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute to be most effective.

Another way to protect the water you drink is to use a drinking water filtration system. If bacteria and viruses are of particular concern, consider installing Kinetico’s K5 Drinking Water Station with a Purefecta® Guard filter cartridge. Using Purefecta® Guard and the air-charge storage tank, the K5 is certified by the Water Quality Association (WQA) to greatly reduce bacteria and viruses in your water. Depending on the other cartridges you choose to customize your system, the K5 can also significantly reduce such contaminants as arsenic, nitrates and lead.

Find The Water Filtration System That Is Right For Your Family

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