What Really Is In Our Drinking Water?

This simple question is very difficult to answer ...

In this article I am going to show you what is in our drinking water by first looking at all the contaminants regulated by governmental bodies which negatively affect safe drinking water. Read the article onArsenic in drinking water andlead in drinking water

Drinking Water Contaminants

Drinking water, including bottled water, normally contains very small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not mean that the water carries a health risk. The Environmental Protection Act (EPA) set standards for about 90 contaminants in drinking water. EPA's standards, along with each contaminant's possible source and health effects, are available atwww.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html

Contaminates in drinking water include:

• Microbes
• Radionuclides
• Inorganics
• Volatile Organics
• Synthetic Organics
• Disinfectants
• Disinfection Byproducts
• MTBE
• Health Advisories

Microbes Coliform bacteria are very common in the environment and are not harmful but if you find them in the drinking water, this will mean that there is a problem with the treatment system or the pipes which distribute water, and shows that the water may be contaminated with germs that can cause illnesses.

Fecal Coliform and E coli are bacteria whose presence shows that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. These Microbes can cause short-term diseases, such as nausea, diarrhea, cramps, headaches, or other symptoms.

Turbidity has no known health implications. However, turbidity can disturb the disinfection process and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may also show the presence of disease causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

Cryptosporidium which cause cryptosporidiosis is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. Cryptosporidiosis, a mild gastrointestinal disease and is fatal for people with weakened immune systems.

EPA and CDC have prepared advice for those with severely compromised immune systems who are concerned about Cryptosporidium.

Giardia lamblia is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. It causes gastrointestinal illness (e.g. diarrhea, vomiting, cramps).

Read more here www.epa.gov/safewater/mcl.html

You can read a wide range ofwater usage articles. They discuss the use of water in the house and home ... topics covered include filters, heaters, softeners and water in the garden.