How can I kill bacteria in drinking water?

Table of Contents

• What are bacteria?
• Reproduction of bacteria
• Disease caused by bacterial infection
• Bacteria in drinking water

What are bacteria?

Bacteria are microscopic single-celled organisms, typically about one-tenth the size of a human body cell. Unlike eukaryotic life forms, such as humans and animals, they lack a nucleus containing genetic information. Their DNA simply floats in the cytoplasm behind the cell wall. Nevertheless, bacterial cells are kept alive by a type of organelle that is also essential for life functions in multicellular organisms. These organelles, called ribosomes, are responsible for protein synthesis in humans, animals, plants, and bacteria alike. Proteins play a crucial role in energy metabolism. Some bacterial species are also characterized by flagella, composed of pili, which surround the bacterial cells and serve for locomotion and anchoring.

Reproduction of bacteria

Bacteria reproduce through cell division. This means that the genetic information within the bacterium is copied and then separated. The cell wall then splits, so that an identical strand of DNA ends up in each of the cell walls. Through this process, a single bacterium can quickly become an entire colony, as the number of dividing organisms doubles with each division. For this reason, bacterial species on the right culture medium experience a much faster population increase than life forms with a more complex reproductive process.

Disease caused by bacterial infection

Bacterial infections attack the body when certain groups of bacteria infiltrate it through openings or injuries in the skin. These bacteria settle in the host organism and subsequently multiply. The organism reacts to the invaders by producing helper cells, which are intended to eliminate the bacterial cells. The short-lived generations of bacteria, in turn, defend themselves with ever-evolving strategies of resistance against human or animal defenses. This resulting battle for survival weakens the host organism, manifesting as disease symptoms that ultimately allow for a diagnosis of the bacterial infection. Often, the body can eliminate the invading bacteria on its own. In some cases, however, prescribed antibiotics are necessary.

Bacteria in drinking water

Because bacteria are found in virtually every substance and in every place, their spread doesn't stop at naturally occurring water. Tap water is never completely germ-free. Bacteria accumulate in pipes and conduits and are transported by the water flow. In contrast, bottled mineral water can be assumed to have undergone antibacterial filtration. However, once the bottle is opened, it's inevitable that bacteria will enter the mineral water through the mucous membranes of the mouth, saliva, and other external influences. Human cultures have traditionally responded to this risk by boiling water. Very few bacteria survive being heated to a boil. In recent years, however, UV irradiation has proven to be a particularly effective tool in combating bacteria.