Why is drinking water a concern?
Drinking water comes from groundwater, wells, rivers, lakes, streams, and reservoirs. People in cities usually drink water from lakes, rivers, and reservoirs that is filtered and cleaned through water treatment plants. People in rural areas frequently drink water pumped from a private well.
Every drinking water supply is affected by activities close by and many miles away. All water contains some impurities. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets acceptable limits for more than 80 contaminants that may be in drinking water and pose a risk to human health.
Drinking water can be contaminated by natural conditions and recreational activities, including marinas and boats. It can be contaminated by pesticides, fertilizers, animal waste, damaged septic systems, leaking underground storage tanks, landfills, mining, and industrial releases to air and water. Drinking water can also be contaminated by runoff from farms, storms, urban areas and industrial or construction sites.
Waterborne diseases are a major human health concern because many people can be affected if a source of drinking water is contaminated. Bacteria and viruses can cause acute, or short-term, human health effects if they are found in drinking water at high levels.
More serious, chronic health effects can occur if people consume a contaminant in drinking water at levels above EPA standards for many years. Contaminants that can have long-term health effects include solvents, radioactive elements, and minerals such as arsenic. Contaminated drinking water can cause chronic health effects such as cancer, liver or kidney problems, and reproductive problems. Web Links from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) Asbestos Cryptosporidiosis Drinking Water E. Coli Infections Food Contamination and Poisoning Food Safety Giardia Infections Lead Poisoning Parasitic Diseases Traveler's Health Water Pollution
More Links Drinking Water Contaminant Candidate List (Environmental Protection Agency) National Water-Quality Assessment Program (US Geological Survey) Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water home page (Environmental Protection Agency) Public Drinking Water Systems Programs (Environmental Protection Agency) Radionuclides in Water (Environmental Protection Agency)
Chemicals in Drinking Water Are these chemicals in MY environment? Acetone Ammonia Arsenic Benzene Chlorine Chromium Diesel Formaldehyde Gasoline Lead Mercury Perchloroethylene Pesticides Phthalates Polychlorinated Biphenyls Propane Radon Solvents Volatile Organic Compounds
Last Updated: October 22, 2008
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