Contaminants Found in Drinking Water—Learning about Water Safety
It’s been six years since the Flint Water Crisis brought the reality of water quality in the United States to the fore.
Because their water source was switched to a lake that did not receive sufficient water treatment, lead from water pipes caused more than 100,000 residents to be exposed to elevated lead levels, which led to a number of health problems, in addition to 12 deaths due to Legionnaire’s disease.
Clean drinking water—and access to it—is something we often overlook, mainly because we consider it to be a basic human right.
However, if there’s anything the Flint Water Crisis taught us, it’s that you can never be too sure about whether this basic human right is being tampered with.
While most drinking water is clean, according to the EPA, our drinking water is expected to contain at least some contaminants that are hazardous to human health.
Learning about Water Contamination
Typically, when you think of water contamination, oil spills in the ocean come to mind. However, with drinking water, contamination is usually on a smaller scale. It could be from your water source, or even your home’s pipes.
Either way, however you get your water, it’s important that you learn about water safety as well as the most common contaminants that you’ll find:
Biological Contaminants
The organisms found in water—biological contaminants—are typically found in the city water system.
Mostly referred to as microbiological contaminants or microbes, these contaminants include bacteria, parasites, protozoan and viruses.
Physical Contaminants
These could stem from the city’s water source or even your pipe system if it’s old.
Physical contaminants usually make a physical appearance in your water. So you’ll see sediments, soil, bits and pieces of your pipe material.
Chemical Contaminants
Setting aside the chemicals used to treat water; other chemicals can end up in water supplies and can cause harm. These contaminants include toxins which are produced by bacteria, nitrogen, salts, bleach, pesticides as well as any animal or human drugs. Most often, you’ll find such contaminants in well water.
Radiological Contaminants
These contaminants are formed due to an unbalanced number of neutrons and protons in your water supply. This unbalanced number destabilizes the atoms, which in turn emit ionizing radiation. Such contaminants are typically caused due to natural deposits which erode near the water source.
List of Most Common Contaminants
In addition to basic physical sediments such as dirt and soil, you can also expect to find the following:
- Ammonia
- Arsenic
- Parasitic cysts
- Fluoride
- Coli
- Iron or rust
- Lead
And more!
I Found Contaminants in My Water Supply. Now What?
Don’t be alarmed!
If your water supply does have some contaminants present, having a filtration system installed would be the best first step, and that’s something we can help you with.
Call Your 1 Plumber in Palm Beach County, FL today. We offer plumbing Installation in Palm Beach County and repairs to all residents in need. With our help, you can keep your family healthy, and avail this basic human right with the assurance that it’s truly clean and safe!