Disease Risk in Uncleaned Water Dispensers
Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Specialist Dr. Bekir Uygun stated, "Viruses such as rotavirus, norovirus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E can be detected in poorly maintained water fountains. These can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and intestinal infections."
With the increase in summer temperatures, there is also an increased demand for cold water. Especially in environments where multiple people gather, water fountains for both cold and hot water are preferred. However, fountains that are not cleaned invite diseases after a while. Fountains should undergo periodic cleaning every 3 months; otherwise, they can harbor bacteria and viruses.
"IF NOT CLEANED, THEY CAN COLLECT ALGAE, PRODUCE BACTERIA, VIRUSES, AND FUNGI"
Dr. Bekir Uygun from Medical Park Antalya Hospital Complex emphasized, "Water fountains make life easier, but they must be regularly maintained. Maintenance should be done as recommended by the manufacturers. Chemicals passing through should not cause irritation. If not cleaned at certain intervals, like streams, they can collect algae and contribute to the growth of some bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Additionally, they can cause diseases such as diarrhea, Hepatitis A, and Hepatitis E in individuals."
"MAINTENANCE CAN BE DONE BEFORE 3 MONTHS"
Dr. Uygun highlighted the importance of water hardness and whether it contains bacteria, stating, "This can also cause damage to the path of water flow. It should be determined based on the water used for maintenance. So, it doesn't necessarily have to be every 3 months; sometimes more frequent intervals are necessary. In such cases, rotavirus and norovirus can be detected in water fountains. These can cause intestinal infections, diarrhea, and vomiting, especially in summer months. Using water fountains in public places provides great convenience, but it is important to adhere to the rules."
Halil Mert, President of the Antalya Tube and Water Distributors Association, explained how cleaning should be done, "It is recommended to clean fountains every 3 months. Many people are unaware of this; they are hearing it from us for the first time. We are trying to alert our citizens about this. The demand for cleaning has increased due to the increased algae growth with heat. The change in taste and odor in the water is also due to this cleaning. The cost ranges from 200 to 250 lira, but citizens can also perform this cleaning themselves by purchasing the appropriate solution."
