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
that may be from sewage treatment plants, septic
systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife;
2. Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals,
that 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 that 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, that 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 that 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
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.
