Bacteria and Viruses in Drinking Water: How to Keep Your Family Safe in the UAE

Worried about bacteria and viruses in your drinking water? A reverse osmosis purifier with a UV stage is the safest way to protect your family at home.

Tap water in the UAE is treated before it reaches your building. Still, germs can get in later. A reverse osmosis purifier with UV gives you one more layer of protection at the tap you drink from. Here is what you need to know.

Bacteria vs Viruses: What Is the Difference?

Both are tiny germs you cannot see. They are not the same.

Bacteria are single cell organisms. They can live and multiply on their own. Many are harmless, but some make you sick. Common ones in water are E. coli and Salmonella.

Viruses are even smaller. They need a living cell to multiply. In water, the usual ones are norovirus, rotavirus and hepatitis A.

Some other germs, like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, are parasites. Chlorine does not always kill them.

Can Germs in Water Really Make You Sick?

Yes. Drinking water with harmful germs can cause stomach cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. It can also cause illnesses like typhoid and hepatitis A. Children, older people, pregnant women and anyone with a weak immune system are most at risk.

Germs get into water through sewage leaks, animal waste, flood runoff and dirty storage tanks. Private wells and boreholes carry the highest risk because nobody treats that water for you. Not sure about your water? Book a free water consultation and we will help you find out.

How Can You Make Water Safe?

Boiling

Boiling is the oldest fix. A rolling boil for at least one minute kills most bacteria and viruses. But it does not remove chemicals or metals. It also uses a lot of energy, so it is not practical every day.

Chlorine

Chlorine has been used to disinfect water for over a century. It works, but it leaves a strong taste and smell. It can also form small amounts of by-products called trihalomethanes. A good carbon filter removes both the taste and these by-products.

UV light

UV light kills germs without chemicals. It works best on clear water. Cloudy water can hide germs from the light. So UV works best together with a filter.

Reverse osmosis

RO pushes water through a very fine membrane. The membrane blocks bacteria, dirt, metals and many chemicals. A standard RO membrane is not a guaranteed germ barrier on its own. That is why the best purifiers add a UV stage.

The result: RO plus UV gives you strong protection against both germs and chemicals.

How to Check Your Water for Germs

A lab test is the only way to know for sure. Test your water at least once a year if you use a private well. Test it again after heavy rain or flooding. Ask your building to clean its rooftop tank on a regular schedule too.

Our Pick: Aqua Hygiene 8 Stage RO Purifier

The Aqua Hygiene 8 Stage RO purifier fits under your sink. It uses a sediment filter, carbon filters, an RO membrane and a UV light. Healthy minerals are added back at the end for fresh taste.

You get clean water for drinking, tea and cooking, straight from your tap. We supply and install across Dubai, Sharjah and the other emirates.

Final Thoughts

Germs in water are easy to ignore because you cannot see them. A good purifier takes the worry away. Pick one with both RO and UV, and keep up with filter changes.

Need help choosing? Talk to the Aqua Hygiene team or call (971) 56 808 5928. We will recommend the right purifier for your home.