| Water Quality |
While the law mandates that public water systems test and treat the water they provide on a regular basis, this testing only covers the water before it leaves the treatment plant. This water must then pass through miles of piping, some of which is in disrepair or contains lead, before it enters
your home plumbing. If your water comes from your own well, the only time your water gets tested is when you have it done, or when your property is sold.
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Bacteria in Water |
| One of the most commonly tested indicators of water quality is coliform bacteria. Coliform bacteria is a large group of bacteria found in the digestive tracts of warm blooded animals. Some coliform bacteria are harmless, and others, such as some strains of E. coli, cause disease. Public water suppliers use chlorine as a disinfectant to kill the bacteria before the water leaves the treatment plant. The presence of E. coli in well water indicates that sewage may be infiltrating your water supply. Having coliform or E. coli in your water may indicate that other serious disease-causing bacteria could be present also. |
| Health effects of water contaminated by bacteria: |
| • Gastrointestinal disorders |
| • Skin infections |
| • Infections of cuts and scratches |
| • Sickness or death in elderly, children and those with suppressed immune system |
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Nitrates and Nitrites in Water
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| Nitrates and nitrites are commonly used in agricultural fertilizers. Since they are highly water soluble and do not evaporate, they have a great potential to enter and pollute the water supply. |
| For those who keep aquariums, the presence of nitrates and nitrites can affect the overall health of the aquarium, and cause the overgrowth of unsightly algae. |
| Health effects of water contaminated by agricultural pollutants: |
| • Decrease blood's ability to carry oxygen |
| • Brain damage |
| • Blue baby syndrome |
| • Death |
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| Lead in Water |
| Lead contaminates drinking water primarily through corrosion of plumbing materials. As surprising as it sounds, this problem is more pervasive in newer homes than in older homes. As time passes, mineral deposits form a coating on the inside of the plumbing system. This coating acts to prevent the water from coming in contact with the leaded components, such as solder and brass fittings. |
| In new homes, this coating has not built up yet, therefore the water comes in contact with the interior of the piping, and any lead that is present. Other conditions increase the amount of lead that can leach. Factors such as pH (acidic water leaches more lead than neutral water), and temperature (hot water leaches more lead than cold) also can affect the lead level of your water. |
| According to recent reports, over 12 major US cities detected elevated levels of lead in the public water supply. |
| Low levels of lead exposure can affect your child by causing: |
| • Birth defects |
| • Hyperactivity |
| • Attention Deficit Disorder |
| • Lower IQ |
| • Behavioral problems |
| • Learning disabilities |
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| High levels of lead exposure can affect your child by causing: |
| • Brain damage |
| • Kidney failure |
| • Coma |
| • Death |
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| Radon in Water |
| Radon is a naturally-occurring gas that is the result of radioactive decay of uranium deposits in the soil. It can seep through soil and enter the water as it moves through the ground. Radon is not usually a problem in public systems because of the action of aeration during water treatment. But, if you own your own well, radon could certainly be a problem. |
| When you shower, wash clothes, or even run the faucet, the radon in your water becomes airborne, becoming radon gas that you breathe. Exposure to radon gas has been shown to increase the incidence of cancer, and has been linked to about 13,000 deaths a year in the US alone. There is some evidence that radon in water could contribute to stomach cancers. |
| See also: Lead |
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