Did you drink some old water?
***NOTE: Take control of how much water you drink per day with a high-quality personal water bottle. Lifestraw bottles can filter water from practically any source, giving you clean drinking water wherever and whenever you need it.
Are you worried about what might happen to you if you do drink old water?
What are some drinking old water symptoms you should recognize?
In this article, we’ll give you a quick rundown of everything you need to know about the experience of drinking old water. You’ll find out what to do to tell if this water is safe for human consumption, and you’ll discover a list of symptoms you might want to be on the lookout for if you’ve had any old water to drink recently, too.
If you’re the kind of person who stores water for natural disasters, there’s a good chance you have some old water on hand already. And just because it’s old doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad for you to drink; however, it’s important to understand what might make this water bad for you and how you can tell for sure.
Check out the information we have put together below to help you determine whether or not you need to be concerned about old water you’ve either found or already consumed. Read on to find out more.
Symptoms of Bad Water
If you’ve already had some old water to drink, there are some things you need to be on the lookout for. Here are a few signs and symptoms that the old water you drank might have been bad:
1. Stomach cramps
If you have just had some old water to drink recently—within the past 48 hours, usually—and you start to notice stomach cramps, there’s a good chance the cramps are coming from some contaminant that might have been in the water. If you think this could be the cause of your stomach cramps, get to a healthcare provider as soon as possible to ask for more information. You may not need to rush off to the hospital, but you do need a doctor to evaluate your condition and make that call for you.
2. Nausea and dizziness
If you drink old water and start to feel nauseated, dizzy, or both, then you may have a slightly more serious contaminant going on. The water may have been polluted by a microorganism or a bacteria which could, in turn, be making you sick. If you’re suffering from either or both of these symptoms and you think it could be from your water, you probably need to go to a hospital, and you definitely need to speak to your doctor otherwise. This can be a sign of a more serious problem. You may also need IV fluids if you’re vomiting and can’t keep liquid down.
3. Weakness or confusion
Last but not least, if you feel weak, confused, lethargic, or unable to move your limbs after drinking old water, go to a hospital immediately. This could be a sign of heavy metal poisoning or exposure to very serious chemical pollutants. This is rare when you drink old water that has been safely stored in your home, but it is still possible, so be on the lookout for this type of very serious physical response to the water you’ve had to drink. Don’t hesitate in getting emergency medical attention if you think you need it.
Visual Signs Water is Safe
It’s important to understand what you’re looking at when you’re trying to determine whether or not your water is too old to drink. Here are a few visual signs that can show you that your water is safe:
1. Not murky
Take a look at the water you’re thinking about drinking. Does it look murky, or can you see clearly through it like you should be able to? Is it yellowish or even brown? Is it cloudy or does it look “thick”? If you can’t see pretty well through your water then it’s best to let it go and try again with storing it more properly next time. Murky water is a sign of contamination.
2. No bugs
When you store water in a container that has been opened before and is not sealed by a machine, there’s always the risk that bugs or other pests can get into it. And if you live in a place where it gets very hot at certain times of the year, bugs and rodents get desperate for water wherever they can find it. Check your stored water regularly to make sure no bugs have gotten into it and no rodents have chewed through the containers. If you see signs like this, do not drink the water.
3. No floating objects
Floating objects in the water are a sign of contamination as well. If you can see dirt or unidentifiable items in the water, toss it out and start over with something fresh. Do not drink water that has something floating in it.
4. No holes or breakage in the container
Aside from rodents chewing on your water containers, there are a lot of other ways these containers can become broken or damaged, too. If they sit for a long time and are exposed to the elements, they may break. Accidents around the house can cause water storage containers to break as well. And sometimes, they simply wear down from age and overuse. Check your containers regularly to see if this has happened to them, and discard any water that is stored in a broken or damaged container.
Conclusion
Do you feel a little bit better capable of telling whether or not your water is old? We hope we’ve given you a few visual cues you can keep in mind the next time you’re examining old water you may have found in your home. Remember, too, that you can sometimes smell the water to determine whether or not it’s safe to drink. Sometimes, contaminants won’t have a smell, but sometimes they do. If you sniff your water and it smells like anything other than water, throw it out right away—don’t even give it to a pet!
So what about old water that doesn’t smell or look weird? Should you avoid it? Most of the time, there’s no reason why you can’t drink it, and in a worst-case scenario, well-stored old water is just going to taste a little stale if anything. As long as the water has been sealed and not tampered with, chances are good it’s fine for you to drink.
This is important information to keep in mind when you’re trying to prepare for natural disasters. If you live in a place that’s prone to natural disasters, be sure you stock up on well-sealed, clean water, and keep a filter on hand that you can use if the power is out for a long period of time, too.
Additional Research:
http://www.thisland.illinois.edu/57ways/57ways_37.html
5 Tips to Avoid Drinking Old Water Symptoms
- Check the expiration date on the bottle or container before drinking.
- If you are unsure of the age of the water, boil it for at least one minute before drinking.
- Avoid drinking from public sources such as lakes, rivers, and streams.
- If you are using a filter system, make sure to replace it regularly according to manufacturer instructions.
- Be aware of any changes in taste or smell that could indicate old water.
ALSO: Consider investing in a water purification system for your home!
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About The Author
Joseph Bartley
Editor-In-Chief
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Joseph Bartley, also known as the WaterFilterFanatic, is a seasoned content writer who specializes in water filtration and water quality topics. On AllAboutWaterFilters, he has written a range of water filtration system reviews, water health and quality articles, swimming pool, hot tub and aquarium filtration guides, DIY methods to assist people clean their drinking water, and much more. Joseph enjoys spending his time working with the #AllAboutWaterFilters Editorial Team to provide some of the best quality water filtration content available on the web.