Sources and Possible Health Effects

Treatment Options

Arsenic

From erosion of natural activities; and electronics production.  

Can cause skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may have increased risk of getting cancer

Activated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation

Asbestos

Occurs in drinking water in natural form, asbestos-cement water piping systems, insulation materials, and in other building materials.

Linked to lung and GI cancer in humans.

Activated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis

Chlorine

Chlorine residuals from water supply facilities.  Excess of EPA's standard could experience irritating effects to their eyes and nose.  Shower water with chlorine can cause itchiness or scaly skin.

Activated carbon filter mounted on a showerhead.

Cryptosporidium, Giardia

Water borne pathogenic bacteria known to cause various human illnesses. Cryptosporidium symptoms include acute diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and mild fever. Giardia symptoms include diarrhea, fatigue, and cramps.

Reverse Osmosis, Activated Carbon Filter labeled as NSF Standard 53 or NSF Standard 58, UV filter under NSF Standard

Fluoride

Many communities add fluoride to their drinking water to promote dental health. Each community makes its own decision about whether or not to add fluoride. EPA recommends that c hildren under nine should not drink water that has more than 2 mg/L of fluoride.

Hardness

Water hardness is caused by the presence of calcium and magnesium in water.
Hard water affects the cleaning action of soaps and detergents resulting in costly and extra laundry works. When heated, hard water deposits scales in cooking materials. This water quality problem is caused by dissolved calcium and magnesium salts and may cause temporary or permanent hardness or scaling in pipes and hot water heaters, plumbing fixtures.

Water softener, Reverse Osmosis

Lead

Lead leaches into water through corrosion of pipes, solder, fixtures, and faucets (brass), fittings. Exposure to lead can cause learning deficiencies in children and, in many cases, hypertension in adults.

Activated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation

Manganese

Effects of the presence of manganese can be both economic and aesthetic, and physiologic. This contaminant produces a brownish water color not good for your laundry, and bad tastes in beverages.

Activated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation

Pesticides

Pesticides are used in agricultural lands, forests, recreational areas and lawns and gardens. Pesticides can leach into the soil and eventually contaminate groundwater. Excessive use of fertilizers can pollute drinking water sources especially well water. There are numerous health effects of pesticides especially cancers.

Activated Carbon Filter, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation
Point-of-Use Filtration

Radon

Radon need to be considered especially if you suspect that your drinking water system has come in contact any radioactive materials. Low dose exposure to these materials harmful and should be avoided. Natural radioactive materials can be found in water, food, and air. Radium can be found in well water supplies. They are known cancer causing substances in humans.

Granular Activated Carbon Filter

Sediment

Objectionable solid particles that will settle at the bottom of a water container over a period of time leaving clear water at the top layer.

Activated Carbon, Cartridge sediment filters.
Point-of-Use filtration.

Taste and Odor

From domestic, natural, or agricultural sources. Chlorine residuals or by-products gives water an unpleasant taste.  While not necessarily harmful, taste and odor may cause undesirable feelings in your drinking water.

Distillation, Reverse Osmosis

Total Coliform Bacteria

Common in the environment and are generally not harmful. However, the presence of these bacteria in drinking water is usually a result of a problem with the treatment system or the pipes which distribute water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with germs that can cause disease.

Sediment Filtration, Activated Carbon

Trihalomethane

THM compounds are found in chlorinated drinking water supplies. They are typically the by-products of chlorine in disinfection treatment systems.

Water discoloration and poor taste are indications of the presence of THMs. Health effects can be liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; and increased risk of cancer.

Activated Carbon Filter,
Point-of-Use or Point-of-Entry filtration devices

Turbidity

Turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate 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.

Activated Carbon, mechanical filters used as prefilters., Ion Exchange

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) (PDF, 29K)

Organic pollutants are chemicals that are made up primarily of carbon and hydrogen atoms and smaller amounts of various other atoms such as chlorine, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus. VOCs can be found in paints, coatings, underarm deodorant, and cleaning fluids. They contribute to the level of ozone, a common air pollutant which has been proven to be a public health hazard. Exposure to a high level VOCs can cause different kind of cancers and organ damage.

Activated Carbon, Distilation.
Point-of-Use Filtration

Zinc

Naturally formed chemicals especially where mining operations the deposits mineral ore have taken place. Well water can be exposed to this chemical that is very harmful to healthy living.

Activated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis