Non-Point Source(NPS) pollution could come from variety of sources. NPS is when contaminated overland flows - rainfall or snow melt - are discharged to surface waters usually from uncontrolled agricultural farmlands and construction areas. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and even our underground sources of drinking water.
According to USEPA, pollutants from a non-point source include:
• Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural lands and residential areas;
• Oil, grease, and toxic chemicals from urban runoff and energy production;
• Sediment from improperly managed construction sites, crop and forest lands, and eroding streambanks;
• Salt from irrigation practices and acid drainage from abandoned mines;
• Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, and faulty septic systems;
• Atmospheric deposition and hydromodification are also sources of nonpoint source pollution.
Water suppliers generally distribute water that is fit to drink. In most cases treatment process include preliminary screening of debris such as leaves, rags and other large objects; sedimentation using gravity to settle floating and settleable materials; filtration by passing water through beds of porous material to remove the smallest particles; and disinfection to remove or kill pathogenic bacterial.
The USEPA requires water suppliers to provide annual drinking water reports to customers. The report is to let customers know the source of drinking water, source of contaminants (if any), and the level and range of contaminants found. However, reduction in open spaces, there has been potential human activities that can result in water contamination due to a non-point source activity. All the pollutant sources listed above plus improperly disposed-of chemicals, street litters, and other unsanitary activities have the potential to cause water contamination.
If you suspect your water is contaminated from a non-point source activity, it is better to find out what’s in your water before deciding on any further home filtration system to use. The store or internet search should be the last step after you have ran your water through a testing laboratory. The laboratory will identify the type of contaminants in your water.
It is also important to locate a state certified laboratory. Some labs are certified for a particular contaminant but not for others. You may contact your state health or environmental departments for information on certified laboratories. A detailed analysis of your drinking water is necessary before purchasing a water filter.
The solution to resolving what’s in your drinking water is the use of an effective water filtration system. A typical water filter comes in a cylindrical case with both inlet and outlet openings. These openings are connected to cold water lines so that untreated water enters through the inlet opening and clean water goes through the outlet to the faucet.
It should be noted that not all water filters can resolve every drinking water problems. If you are planning to buy a water purifier, it is best to look for the one that will remove the contaminant that has been identified in your water. Drinking water filter systems come as Point-of-Entry (POE) or as Point-of-Use (POU). Each filter case has a cartridge filter that removes the pollutants. The basic type – or single stage filter – is designed to remove sediment, rust and heavy metals typically present in well water, or metals that may have leached from home pipes. Activated carbon filtration, Reverse osmoses filtration, and distillation systems are good for pesticide removal. Also, to make sure you will buy a purifier that performs satisfactorily, it is best to look for water filters that have been certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
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