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SOURCES
OF CONTAMINATION
The
sources of drinking water both tap water and bottled
water include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs,
springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface
of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring
minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material,
and can pick up substances resulting from the presence
of animals or from human activity.Contaminants that
may be present in source water include: (A) Microbial
contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which
may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems,
agricultural livestock operations and wildlife; (B)
Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals,
which can be naturally-occurring or result from urban
storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater
discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming;
(C) Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from
a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm
water runoff, and residential uses; (D) Organic chemical
contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic
chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes
and petroleum production, and can also come from gas
stations, urban Storm water runoff, and septic systems;
(E) radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally-occurring
or be the result of oil and gas production and mining
activities.
In
order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA
prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain
contaminants in water provided by public water systems.
FDA regulations establish limits for contaminants
in bottled water which must provide the same protection
for public health.
EPA
SAFE DRINKING
WATER HOTLINE
1-800-426-4791
For
any questions dealing with water quality
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