What is considered a drinking water contaminant?

WaterPure water does not exist anywhere in nature. 

There are impurities in all water.  The natural cycle of water flow moves it down streams and rivers, through lakes and down into the earth.  As it flows and is filtered through the soil and rocks, it absorbs at some level, any substance it comes in contact with.

A lot of the substances are harmless; in fact some are needed by our bodies for good health.  Minerals and metals are necessary and water can provide some of our body’s requirements for these.

However, as with anything else, too much of anything is not good for you.  As the levels increase, the same substances can change the taste of the water and become unhealthy for us.  In addition to these naturally occurring elements, man-made chemicals and organics, such as bacteria can also be picked up in the water as it travels through the cycle.

Discharges from factories, pesticides applied on farms and nursery and even chemicals used by homeowners in their homes or yards can be a source of contamination.

To monitor the safety of drinking water, the EPA has established guidelines for some of the contaminants found in drinking water.

There are Primary and Secondary levels of contaminants:

  • National Primary Drinking Water Standards were developed to set safe levels for contaminants that cause health issues such as disease, cancer or illness.  These standards are mandatory for public water supply systems, but not on private water systems.
  • National Secondary Drinking Water Standards are guidelines for regulating contaminants that more nuisance or aesthetic in nature.  These contaminants can effect the taste, color or odor of the water.  They can also cause stains on surfaces, clothes and sometimes skin or teeth.  These standards are non-enforceable guidelines recommended by the EPA to water systems but do not require systems to comply. However, states may choose to use them as enforceable standards.

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF COMMON DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS!

What has more contamination: me, the earth or the universe?

Below is a chart showing some very common elements that are found everywhere in nature from the human body to the universe.  Take a look and see what is the most contaminated, or if you’re an optimist, what has the most abundant supply of elements!  One man’s contaminant is another man’s recommended daily allowance!

Element

Percent in Universe

Percent in Earth

Percent in Human Body

Carbon

0.02

0.03

18.5

Nitrogen

0.04

Trace

3.3

Oxygen

0.06

47

65

Sodium

Trace

2.8

0.2

Magnesium

Trace

2.1

0.1

Phosphorus

Trace

0.07

1

Sulfur

Trace

0.03

0.3

Chlorine

Trace

0.01

0.2

Potassium

Trace

2.6

0.4

Calcium

Trace

3.6

1.5

Iron

Trace

5

Trace

More information on elements can found at http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu

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