Aussie man’s health crisis highlights hidden dangers of unfiltered spring water
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The allure of natural spring water, often romanticised for its purity and health benefits, has led many to believe it's a safer and more nutritious alternative to tap water.
However, the harrowing story of an Aussie man serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk in unfiltered water sources.
This highlights the importance of ensuring that all water sources are properly filtered and safe for consumption.
Chris Capper's life took a devastating turn after he consumed unfiltered spring water while visiting friends in Mount Elliot in July 2021.
What seemed like an innocuous act of hydration quickly spiralled into a nightmare.
The 33-year-old former roofer from Queensland has been battling severe lung disease and arthritis, which he attributes to drinking the natural spring water at their property.
For two years, Chris's health deteriorated as doctors scrambled to diagnose his condition. It wasn't until July 2023 that they identified the culprit: nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), a bacteria commonly found in soil and water.
NTM can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes.
Mr Capper takes 16 tablets daily but remains unwell, with the infection having spread to his lower spine and left hip.
‘I can’t help myself at all, and the doctors don’t know much about the bug, so it just feels like they’re waiting for me to die,’ he lamented.
Before doctors identified Mr Capper's condition, an X-ray showed a hole in his lungs.
Just six weeks later, the infection had compromised a third of his lungs. The bacteria also spread to his elbows, causing septic arthritis.
Due to his illness, Mr Capper has been unable to work and was also caring for his father, who passed away last September.
He frequently drives 14 hours to Brisbane to get treatment at the Prince Charles Hospital. According to his doctors, the main issue for the 33-year-old is that he is ‘slowly dying’ from the infection.
The doctor stated in the report, ‘Our goal is really to try and suppress the infection and buy him some time,’ and suggested Mr Capper receive treatment at Ayr Hospital, which is much nearer to his home.
Mr Capper also has Type 1 diabetes and cystic fibrosis. He has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $4,500 for an insulin pump and to cover ongoing medical expenses.
It was reported that Prince Charles Hospital had covered some of his medical bills.
Registered dietitian Gillian Culbertson warned that drinking ‘raw’ water poses risks.
‘Spring water and other sources of untreated water flow through rock material and come into contact with organic material that is a breeding ground for bacteria,’ he explained.
‘Without proper filtration and decontamination, it can make you very ill.’
‘When you choose to drink water that hasn’t been properly tested and filtered, you’re taking a big risk. If you’re looking for an alternative to drinking water straight from your faucet, there are safer ways to do it,’ Mr Culbertson added.
The alarming case of Mr Capper’s severe health issues from drinking unfiltered spring water highlights the broader concerns around water safety.
As Australians grapple with the consequences of consuming untreated water, another pressing issue has emerged: the contamination of water sources by hazardous ‘forever chemicals’.
This situation underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and safer practices to protect public health.
Have you ever faced a health scare due to unfiltered water? How do you ensure the water you drink is safe? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below.
However, the harrowing story of an Aussie man serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk in unfiltered water sources.
This highlights the importance of ensuring that all water sources are properly filtered and safe for consumption.
Chris Capper's life took a devastating turn after he consumed unfiltered spring water while visiting friends in Mount Elliot in July 2021.
What seemed like an innocuous act of hydration quickly spiralled into a nightmare.
The 33-year-old former roofer from Queensland has been battling severe lung disease and arthritis, which he attributes to drinking the natural spring water at their property.
33-year-old Chris Capper faces severe health problems after drinking unfiltered spring water. Credit: GoFundMe / Christopher Capper
For two years, Chris's health deteriorated as doctors scrambled to diagnose his condition. It wasn't until July 2023 that they identified the culprit: nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), a bacteria commonly found in soil and water.
NTM can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, fatigue, weight loss, and swollen lymph nodes.
Mr Capper takes 16 tablets daily but remains unwell, with the infection having spread to his lower spine and left hip.
‘I can’t help myself at all, and the doctors don’t know much about the bug, so it just feels like they’re waiting for me to die,’ he lamented.
Before doctors identified Mr Capper's condition, an X-ray showed a hole in his lungs.
Just six weeks later, the infection had compromised a third of his lungs. The bacteria also spread to his elbows, causing septic arthritis.
Due to his illness, Mr Capper has been unable to work and was also caring for his father, who passed away last September.
He frequently drives 14 hours to Brisbane to get treatment at the Prince Charles Hospital. According to his doctors, the main issue for the 33-year-old is that he is ‘slowly dying’ from the infection.
The doctor stated in the report, ‘Our goal is really to try and suppress the infection and buy him some time,’ and suggested Mr Capper receive treatment at Ayr Hospital, which is much nearer to his home.
Mr Capper also has Type 1 diabetes and cystic fibrosis. He has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $4,500 for an insulin pump and to cover ongoing medical expenses.
It was reported that Prince Charles Hospital had covered some of his medical bills.
Registered dietitian Gillian Culbertson warned that drinking ‘raw’ water poses risks.
‘Spring water and other sources of untreated water flow through rock material and come into contact with organic material that is a breeding ground for bacteria,’ he explained.
‘Without proper filtration and decontamination, it can make you very ill.’
‘When you choose to drink water that hasn’t been properly tested and filtered, you’re taking a big risk. If you’re looking for an alternative to drinking water straight from your faucet, there are safer ways to do it,’ Mr Culbertson added.
The alarming case of Mr Capper’s severe health issues from drinking unfiltered spring water highlights the broader concerns around water safety.
As Australians grapple with the consequences of consuming untreated water, another pressing issue has emerged: the contamination of water sources by hazardous ‘forever chemicals’.
This situation underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and safer practices to protect public health.
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