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