It’s a question that has puzzled people for centuries – is toilet water clean? And if it’s not, is it harmful to our health?
In this article, we will explore the science behind toilet water and answer these questions once and for all.
Is Toilet Water Clean as Drinkable Water?
If you’re referring to the water in the toilet tank, then it’s “Yes and No!” That’s funny, right?
There is no direct answer to the question.
Whether the toilet water is clean as drinkable water or not largely depends on two factors. These factors are the source of the water and the state of the toilet tank.
The source of the water depends on the way the water pipes are channeled, and this determines whether the toilet water is clean or not.
In most cases, the same water lines supply water to the toilet, bathroom, and kitchen sink. This means that the toilet water is as clean as the kitchen’s drinkable water.
However, if your toilet tank receives gray water, then the toilet water is not clean or safe for drinking. Gray water is domestic wastewater, this is wastewater from sinks, baths, kitchen appliances, and washing machines.
Though this water is relatively clean, it isn’t as clean as drinkable water and it’s not safe for consumption.
Whether the toilet water is clean as drinkable water or not also depends on the state of the toilet tank. If the tank is “clean,” the water in the tank should be clean – provided it’s not gray water. If you’re so sure of this, then the water should be safe for drinking if worse comes to worst.
However, there are several reasons why toilet water is generally not drinkable even if it looks clean. The toilet tank is one of the least often cleaned fixtures at home. Though the water that comes into the tank is clean, if the tank contains rust and dirt, it renders the “clean” water undrinkable.
Even if you clean the toilet tank, which isn’t always, it may still harbor some harmful bacteria, especially E. coli and Giardia. Even with frequent cleaning, most toilet cleaners contain toxic chemicals that render the toilet water unsafe for drinking.
Water in the toilet bowl is outrightly unsafe for drinking irrespective of how times you flush or how often you clean the bowl. This is because the toilet bowl is a hotbed of dangerous mold and bacteria that can make you sick and also rife with germs.
In summary, it’s not likely that toilet water will be clean as drinkable water. The water in the toilet tank and bowl may look so clean, but that doesn’t make it drinkable.
Is It Safe to Get in Touch with Toilet Water?
Yes, it’s safe to get in touch with toilet water. Even if it’s the wastewater in the toilet bowl as long as you aren’t drinking it.
You may panic after getting in touch with toilet water or feel like it will get you sick. The truth is, getting in touch with the toilet water is not an unsafe act and not enough to make you sick.
For instance, you may have to remove an object stuck to the toilet trap. You may also have toilet water splashed on your face while cleaning the toilet. Irrespective of the reason why you get in touch with the toilet water, there is no cause for alarm.
However, when you get in touch with toilet water, simply wash the affected body part with soap and water. If available, apply rubbing alcohol to the affected area to disinfect it. Otherwise, thorough washing of the affected area is enough.
If the toilet water gets in touch with your mouth, nose, eyes, or open wound, you need to act fast. These body parts are delicate and open into the body. Dangerous bacteria and germs in the toilet can penetrate your body through these entry points.
When toilet water gets in touch with any of these delicate parts, flush it out immediately with plenty of clean water. This will prevent any harm or complications.
Why Does My Toilet Water Look Dirty After Flushing?
When you flush your toilet, the toilet water should look clean and clear. However, if you notice that the toilet water looks dirty after flushing, then a couple of issues are at hand.
The first thing you should do is to check the other toilets in the house. Do they have dirty toilet water even after flushing?
If yes, it’s likely that the main water source is dirty or the water pipes are rusty, especially if you notice an orange-to-brown tinge in the toilet water.
If not, you need to look into the affected toilet to see if the inside of the tank or the tank bolts are rusty.
Both conditions can give the toilet water a brownish hue. A rusty toilet tank needs a thorough cleaning while rusty tank bolts need replacement.
If what you’re seeing is just cloudy water after flushing, that’s possibly the result of hard water. Hard water contains calcium, magnesium, and other mineral deposits that can make the toilet water look cloudy.
With time, these mineral deposits can form an unsightly rusty toilet ring in your toilet bowl if you don’t take care of it.
Conclusion
Toilet water isn’t clean and safe for drinking regardless of how often you flush or how well you think you clean the toilet. Also, getting in touch with toilet water isn’t an unsafe act.
When flushing your toilet, the water should look clean. If it doesn’t, there might be a problem with the water source or with the toilet itself.
In any case, it’s best to clean the toilet tank and supply pipes first before getting professional help to resolve the issue.