FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water.

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 the following:

1. Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic
   systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife;
   
2. 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;
   
3. Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses;
4. 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; and
5. Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or can be the result of oil and gas production and
   mining activities.
   

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791. Information on bottled water can be obtained from the FDA.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 800-426-4791.