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You cannot see, smell, or taste most contaminants, but if they are in your water,
the potential danger to your health is staggering. Learn more about:
Bacteria
THE MOST LIKELY SOURCE OF ACUTE WATER-BORNE DISEASE - E. coli Bacteria and other
potentially dangerous microbes are commonly found in our environment, but they should
not be present in our drinking water. Thousands of cases of bacterial illness occur
every year, many of them fatal. Many strains of bacteria are not toxic, but some
can cause very serious illness. Even mild cases can result in diarrhea, vomiting,
cramps, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Young children and those with weaker
immunity are more likely to be affected. Since contaminated water may not taste or
smell "bad", most cases of water-borne disease are not likely to be identified as
such. The presence of bacteria in drinking water indicates that treatment methods
are not working properly and are not adequate to remove all viable microbes. When
treatment fails, drinking water may become potentially toxic. Community water systems
take steps to disinfect drinking water, but they may not become aware of problems
until it's too late. This bacteria was first recognized as a cause of illness in
1982.
Lead
LEAD FROM PIPES CAN LEACH INTO HOUSEHOLD WATER USED FOR DRINKING, COOKING, AND WASHING
- Many homes and buildings have pipes and plumbing fixtures that contain lead. Lead
can leach from pipes into household water, making this plumbing a major source of
water contamination and a potential source of toxic lead poisoning. Lead is so toxic
that even very low levels may be dangerous. Lead consumption and poisoning has been
linked to many serious illnesses, especially in young children. Lead can harm mental
and physical development and may cause brain abnormalities, kidney damage and hypertension.
As with other water contaminants, the risks of lead damage are much greater for children
than for adults --families should be particularly concerned about the health of the
water supply. Consumers should test lead levels at each faucet in the home, especially
if the plumbing fixtures could be from the 1980's or older. Lead from pipes can leach
into household water used for drinking, cooking and washing.
Pesticides
PESTICIDES ARE COMMONLY FOUND IN DRINKING WATER - Pesticides are deadly chemicals
used to eliminate weeds, insects and other harmful elements in crops. Their pervasive
use, however, has produced its own harm. Now it is not uncommon to find pesticide
contamination in our drinking water. Atrazine and Simazine are two of the pesticides
most commonly found to contaminate drinking water. More than 60 million pounds of
these two chemicals are introduced into the environment each year as herbicides,
and left to potentially leak into the soil, groundwater, and the lakes and rivers
that are the sources for the water we drink. They are so toxic that the EPA-mandated
maximum level is equivalent to less than one drop in a swimming pool. There are laws
that require the regular testing of community water supplies, but they are, in practice,
rarely tested. Now, Watersafe® brings laboratory-level accuracy within your reach.
Nitrates and Nitrites
A COMMON YET INCREDIBLY HARMFULL POLLUTANT ESPECIALLY TO CHILDREN AND SMALL ANIMALS
- When animal and human wastes or field fertilizers come into contact with water,
they show up as nitrates and nitrites. Both are serious contaminants because they
affect the very core of human life - birth and the development of young life. In
1992, when the survey was released, some 22,500 infants drinking domestic well water
were estimated to be exposed to levels of nitrates exceeding the EPA safe drinking
water limits; for community systems, the number was estimated to be 43,500 infants.
Chlorine
DRINKING CHLORINE IN SMALL AMOUNTS MAY NOT HURT YOU, BUT CHLORINE BY-PRODUCTS CAN
- The consumption of chlorine in very small amounts most likely will not cause you
serious harm. What may be harmful, however, are the by-products, including chloroform
that chlorine produces when mixed with organic matter.
Hardness
WHEN YOU HAVE HARD WATER, IT CAN TAKE TWICE AS MUCH SOAP TO DO YOUR LAUNDRY - Water
hardness is primarily caused by calcium and magnesium compounds. These chemicals
are not easily detected, but the numerous negative effects can be unpleasant and
costly. When you have hard water it can take twice as much soap to do your laundry.
pH
KNOWING THE PH LEVEL OF YOUR WATER CAN HELP YOU PREVENT SECONDARY EFFECTS - If the
acidity of your water is too high, corrosion can leach out lead from pipes and plumbing
as well as damage your water supply system and water heater.
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