Wildlife In The Water

[Minke]

For the fourth time, I have fished out a small freshwater shrimp from my water reservoir in the bathroom. I add them to my fish bowls and I am comfortable with sharing my water supply with shrimps. However, what does kind of freak me out are the long thin bright red worms that magically appear on the bottom of the reservoir. They are pretty active down there but don't seem to swim. But are they casting off eggs or larvae that are going to found a new colony in my guts? They're about 5-6cm long by about 1mm wide and deep crimson coloured. This is the tap water btw. I brush teeth and shwash this water in my mouth every day just like the locals do... Should I be more worried than I am? Anyone else have macrofauna in their water?

[kjhbigv]

<deleted>! Gonna check my water now! To be honest, always use bottled water to clean teeth etc for that very reason, always a bit paranoid about how 'clean' mains water is! Interesting to hear what does everyone else does?

[Thongkorn]

They sound like lavae, why dont you cover your water reservoir with small netting, or just put fish in to eat the worms. I shower in rain water but only clean my teeth in bottled water, you can get a large bottle its about 2 3 gallon for about 30/40 baht. as for mains water forget it. even some Thais will not touch it .

[tim armstrong]

I'd be worried about your water supply too. I think there is so much chemical run off from agricultural pesticides in our area that the worms don't have a chance. I shower and clean my teeth in gov't water, but don't drink it, and haven't had any stomach problems. A Dr. once told me that orange cordial kills all known bugs in water -maybe another urban myth.

[wasabi]

Be afraid, be very afraid.