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10 Types of Contaminants in Water

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There’s a lot to know about drinking water quality. For example, it’s helpful to learn where tap water comes from, what happens along the way and what that means for your home. When it’s time for water treatment, you’ll need to know exactly what you’re up against — which is why it’s crucial to understand the different types of drinking water contaminants.*

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies  three main categories of contaminants: biological, chemical and physical. Each can have its own effects and concerns, so you should know how to identify them — and, more importantly, how to treat them.

Have specific water quality concerns? Try our Water Solutions Finder.

Biological Water Contaminants

Biological contaminants are organisms in the water supply. Their impact can be complicated — such as in the case of microscopic, single-celled protozoa, which can reduce bacteria populations but may also cause waterborne diseases.

Here are some examples of biological water contamination:

Nitrates

Nitrate is a form of nitrogen that has two different forms: naturally occurring and man-made.  The former is a product of organic waste decomposing and may cause a rotten-egg odor in your drinking water. The latter is found in man-made fertilizers and has no taste, odor or color, which means it can be difficult to detect.

Runoff from rain or snow can carry both kinds of nitrate through the environment and cause groundwater contamination. Because this is a main water source for millions of homes in North America, it’s easy to see how nitrates could end up in your drinking glass.

Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules and the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality regulate nitrate levels in water. That’s because this contaminant can impact infants and some adults depending on exposure amounts, existing health conditions and other variables.

Learn more about nitrates in water.

Bacteria, Viruses and Parasites

Bacteria, viruses and parasites are microorganisms in drinking water that can be a real concern. That’s because infections caused by these pathogens — for example, E. coli and giardia — are collectively one of the most common, widespread drinking water risks. Pathogens can cause both acute and chronic health effects and may multiply in food, warm water and even their hosts.

Some microorganisms are pathogenic, meaning they can cause illnesses. One of the main challenges in assessing microbiological safety is that it’s difficult to test for every possible microorganism. The most common approach is testing for total coliform bacteria, which is an indicator organism that can be a sign that other pathogenic bacteria are present, making your water unsafe to drink.

Chemical Water Contaminants

Chemical contaminants are elements or compounds that can be either:

  • Natural, including nitrate and some metals like arsenic and fluoride
  • Artificial, such as pesticides and pharmaceuticals

Because there’s so much variation in what counts as a chemical contaminant, it’s important to know some of the top examples:

PFAS

PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they last a long time in the environment and human bodies. Originally designed to protect against heat, oil and more, these chemicals have now found their way into just about everything — including soil, water, air and living things. Research into their effects is still ongoing, but studies have indicated potential links to everything from increased cholesterol levels to multiple types of cancer.

The problem is that PFAS could be in almost every water source, including groundwater, surface water, and even single-use bottled water. Governments worldwide are working to regulate this contaminant family, but with thousands of chemicals under a single umbrella, there’s a lot of work to do.

Take a closer look at PFAS chemicals.

Chlorine

Chlorine isn’t technically a contaminant in the same way PFAS or pathogens are. That’s because this chemical is added on purpose. After all, it has an important role in treating municipal water supplies, where it attacks bacterial cell membranes to protect against waterborne illness. That being said, chlorine still comes with some effects that can impact your drinking water — especially a distinct swimming pool odor and a potential chemical taste.

Learn more about chlorinated water.

Fluoride

Fluoride is another substance that’s purposefully added to the city water supply. Research has shown that it helps protect oral health by preventing cavities and strengthening the tooth enamel.  However, some people still want to remove this mineral from their drinking water, which is why it’s helpful to know the facts before you choose a treatment solution.

Get the facts on fluoride in water.

TCE

TCE, or trichloroethylene, is a volatile organic chemical. Originally used as an industrial solvent, this man-made substance can accumulate in groundwater and is being regulated by multiple governments. That’s because it’s carcinogenic and can have other effects like headaches, dizziness and more.

Learn more about TCE.

Metals

You may not think of metals as a chemical contaminant at first, but they’re technically part of this category. They can also cause numerous drinking water quality problems, including metallic tastes, rust or blue-green stains around your water fixtures, potential health risks and more.

Examples of metals that may be in drinking water include:

Pharmaceuticals

Both prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals (and even some for animals) can end up in the water supply in a few different ways — for example, discharge from wastewater treatment plants and industrial livestock farms. Experts are still researching what this means for human and environmental health.

Physical Water Contaminants

As the name suggests, physical contaminants impact a water body’s physical properties or appearance. This can be as simple as a plant decaying near the lake, stream or reservoir that feeds your tap, causing an odd odor or taste — but it can also include widespread problems like plastic pollution.

Here are two examples of physical contaminants:

Microplastics

Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that have been found to be widespread in our environment – including soil, water and human bodies. Some are purposely made to be small, like those in clothing and cosmetics, while others break down from discarded plastic, like single-use water bottles.

Because they’re so tiny, microplastics can travel through the environment and end up in both groundwater and surface water. Researchers have also found them in single-use bottled water brands. Little is yet known about potential direct  health risks, but microplastics also could potentially carry other chemicals and contaminants — one more reason people want them out of the water supply.

Put the microscope on microplastics.

TDS

Total dissolved solids (TDS) is an umbrella term for a variety of substances that can dissolve in your water. This can include naturally occurring salts and minerals like sodium, chloride, calcium and sulfate. High TDS levels can cause issues ranging from dry skin and hair to mineral buildup inside your home’s pipes. You might also notice an odd taste depending on what’s present and in what amounts.

Get the details about TDS.

How To Identify Drinking Water Problems

Many contaminants are difficult or impossible to spot on your own. For example, you can’t see nitrates with the naked eye, and there’s no way to measure the amount of chlorine in your water just by gauging the swimming pool odor.

Fortunately, you don’t have to rely on guesswork. A free, in-home water test can identify and measure a variety of contaminants, including TDS, nitrates, iron, chlorine and more, while others require testing at a certified lab. You can also order an at-home PFAS test kit to get the specifics on forever chemicals in your water supply.

Professional testing offers a great opportunity to learn what’s in your water — and, just as importantly, what you can do about it. That’s because your local water expert will be able to recommend personalized solutions based on your test results. You’ll get treatment options that fit your water quality needs and budget goals — plus, you’ll be able to ask all of your questions and get fast, detailed answers.

Water Treatment Solutions

Biological, chemical and physical contaminants all have one big thing in common: You likely don’t want to drink them. Here’s a look at the top treatment options:

Reverse Osmosis Drinking Water Filtration

Reverse osmosis (RO) filtration systems are a comprehensive solution for all kinds of drinking water quality problems. They address contaminants that can cause health concerns, such as PFAS and lead, but they don’t stop at the stuff you can’t see; you’ll also notice taste and odor improvements.

Browse reverse osmosis filtration systems.

Whole House Water Filtration

Whole house filtration addresses water at all of your taps. Unlike RO filtration, which addresses a broad variety of water issues, whole-house systems are designed to target specific individual problems, from iron and sulfur to arsenic or PFAS. This approach lets you take control of the water you clean and bathe with, plus what you drink — making it a win-win option for many households.

Browse whole house filtration systems.

Be Proactive about Contaminants in Water

No matter what kind of contaminants may be in your tap water, it’s easy to identify and treat them when you have the right information. That means starting with a test that can put you on the path toward effective, comprehensive water treatment.

Don’t worry about the safety and quality of your water any longer. Schedule your free, in-home test and consultation today.

 

*Contaminants may not be present in your water.

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