| Most drinking water is provided to | | | | regulated by drinking water standards. This |
| communities comes from surface sources, like | | | | group of contaminants includes: ? |
| lakes, rivers, and reservoirs. These water | | | | Trihalomthanes (THMs), which are formed when |
| bodies unfortunately are attacked daily with | | | | chlorine in treated drinking water combines |
| harmful chemicals from industry, the | | | | with naturally occurring organic matter. ? |
| environment, and the human race. In | | | | Pesticides, including herbicides, |
| addition, storm water drains empty into our | | | | insecticides, and fungicides. ? Volatile |
| lakes and rivers further contaminating them | | | | organic chemicals (VOCs), which include |
| with gasoline, oils, and anti-freeze, just to | | | | solvents, degreasers, adhesives, gasoline |
| name a few. | | | | additives, and fuels additives. Some of the |
| | | | common VOCs are: benzene, trichloroethylene |
| There was a day when underground surface | | | | (TCE), styrene, toluene, and vinyl chloride. |
| water (well water) was suggested to be | | | | Possible chronic health effects include |
| cleaner than surface water because of its | | | | cancer, central nervous system disorders, |
| natural filtering system, however, | | | | liver and kidney damage, reproductive |
| underground water has also been contaminated | | | | disorders, and birth defects. |
| with chemicals dumped onto the ground (oils, | | | | |
| paints, fuel, etc). | | | | Inorganics: These are toxic metals like |
| | | | arsenic, barium, chromium, lead, mercury, and |
| Although your community water may pass | | | | silver. Inorganic contaminants get into your |
| through a filtration system before it gets to | | | | drinking water from natural sources, |
| your house, are you really sure your water is | | | | industrial processes, and materials used in |
| free from chemicals and harmful bacteria? | | | | your plumbing system. Toxic metals are |
| Today's water supplies are certain to contain | | | | regulated in public water supplies because |
| a certain amount if chemicals just to clear | | | | they can cause acute poisoning, cancer and |
| and clean it. The EPA (Environmental | | | | have other ill health effects. |
| Protection Agency) has set standards on the | | | | |
| minimum and maximum amount of contaminants | | | | Nitrate is another inorganic contaminant. The |
| allowed in drinking water. That alone is a | | | | nitrate in mineral deposits, fertilizers, |
| scary thought. | | | | sewage, and animal wastes can contaminate |
| | | | water. Nitrate has been associated with "blue |
| There are four groups of contaminants in | | | | baby syndrome" in infants. |
| water: | | | | |
| | | | Radioactive Elements. Radon is a radioactive |
| ? Microbial Pathogens: Pathogens are | | | | contaminant that results from the decay of |
| disease-producing microorganisms, which | | | | uranium in soils and rocks. It is usually |
| include bacteria, viruses, and parasites. | | | | more of a health concern when it enters a |
| They get into drinking water when it is | | | | home as a soil gas than when it occurs in |
| contaminated by sewage, animal waste, or well | | | | water supplies. Radon in air is associated |
| are not improperly sealed and constructed. | | | | with lung cancer. |
| Health effects of this contaminant can | | | | |
| include gastroenteritis, salmonella | | | | There are many water purifications on the |
| infection, dysentery, shigellosis, hepatitis, | | | | market today. Sorting through the vast |
| and giardiasis (a gastrointestinal infection | | | | amount of information on water purification |
| causing diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and gas). | | | | systems can be intimidating and time |
| | | | consuming. When selecting your water |
| ? Organics: Many people are concerned about | | | | purification system, be sure it is a |
| potentially toxic chemicals and metals in | | | | purification system that can actually remove |
| water. Only a few of the toxic organic | | | | harmful chemicals and bacteria from your |
| chemicals that occur in drinking water are | | | | drinking water. |