- In 1988 more than 11 million people drank water that contained illegal levels of contaminants.
- In 1988 one of every four water systems that operated violated federal drinking water laws.
- Public drinking water may contain more than 700 contaminants including: (a) ORGANIC CHEMICALS like pesticides,
solvents, arsenic, and benzene (b) INORGANIC CHEMICALS such as lead, mercury, and nitrates (bad ones) and iron
and zinc (good ones) (c) MICROBES such as viruses, coliform bacteria, and Giardia (d) RADIOACTIVE
CONTAMINANTS like radon.
- The EPA has set legal limits or maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for only 30 of the 700 contaminants.
- To tell if you need a home water treatment unit compare the results of the monitoring tests your utility is required to
carry out with the EPA’s legal limits (MCLs).
- The EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791) can tell you whom to contact in your area for test results.
- Even though lead levels may be within the EPA’s MCL remember the measurement is taken at the plant. On the way
to the tap, lead from pipes, fixtures, or solder can leach into the water. As a precaution, run your water until it is good
and cold before drinking or cooking with it.
- Find out whether your water is from surface water (from a river or lake) or ground water (underground sources).
Surface water contains higher levels of THMs such as chloroform.
- Your utility is also required to monitor levels of Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs). These are “unregulated” meaning
they have no established EPA MCLs so water systems are not forced to keep them down. Examples of VOCs are 1,2
dibromo-3-chloro-propane and 1,2-dichloroehylene.
- If you are on a well or your utility serves fewer than 3,300 people, you should consider getting your water tested. Be
sure you take it to a certified lab. (Ask the EPA hotline for approved labs in you state).
- If you live near an industrial plant, find out which chemicals it uses by calling the EPA’s Toxic Release Inventory office
at (202) 382-3531.
Resources: www.epa.gov/OGWDW
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