Man ‘dying’ after drinking unfiltered spring water

A young man whose lungs have been destroyed and who now suffers from arthritis says he became ill after drinking unfiltered spring water.

Chris Capper, 33, moved from Home Hill, a small town in Queensland’s north, to care for his sick father.

He was visiting friends in nearby Mount Elliot in July 2021 when he drank natural spring water at their property.

The former roofer said he has been seriously ill ever since.

Doctors were not able to diagnose his condition until July 2023, when they found Mr Capper was suffering from a lung disease believed to be caused by nontuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) – a bacteria known to be in soil and water.

Symptoms of NTM include fever, fatigue, weight loss and swollen lymph nodes, according to Cleveland Clinic.

Mr Capper takes 16 tablets every day and is still unwell. The infection has spread to his lumbar 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 told Daily Mail Australia.

Before doctors worked out what Mr Capper was suffering from, he had an X-ray that revealed a hole in his lungs.

And just six weeks later a third of his lungs had been taken over by the infection.

Bacteria from the infection has spread to his elbows resulting in septic arthritis.

Mr Capper has been unable to work because of his illness. He had also been caring for his dad who died in September last year.

He regularly drives 14 hours to Brisbane to receive care at the Prince Charles Hospital.

A report from his doctors revealed the primary concern for the 33-year-old was “slowly dying” from the infection.

“Our goal is really to try and suppress the infection and buy him some time,” the doctor wrote in the report, recommending Mr Capper get treatment at Ayr Hospital, much closer to home.

Mr Capper also suffers from Type 1 diabetes and cystic fibrosis.

He has set up a GoFundMe to buy a $4500 insulin pump for his diabetes, as well as ongoing medical costs. It is understood some of his medical bill has been footed by Prince Charles Hospital.

Registered dietitian Gillian Culbertson says drinking “raw” water carries risk.

“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 told the Cleveland Clinic.

“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.”