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Pollutants

Substances expected to be in drinking water

The sources of water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Substances that may be present in source water include:

Microbial contaminants: Microbial contaminants include viruses and bacteria. Microbial contaminants may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
Inorganic contaminants: Inorganic contaminants include salts and metals. Inorganic contaminants can be naturally occurring or resulting from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.
Pesticides and herbicides: Pesticides and herbicides may come from a variety of sources, such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses.
Organic chemical contaminants: Organic chemical contaminants include synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.
Radioactive contaminants: Radioactive contaminants can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amount of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline, (800) 426-4791.

Special health information

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons, such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers.

EPA/CDC (Environmental Protection Agency / Centers for Disease Control) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline, (800) 426-4791.