Water Contaminants

This page of water contaminants is not a comprehensive list of all the possible water contaminants. If you have specific concern for a contaminant not listed below, give our dedicated support team a call at 1-888-801-7873.

Aluminum Water Treatment

The fourth most common element in the Earth's crust, aluminum is naturally present in drinking water and is added as a chlorination preparation at water utilities. Most of what is added is usually removed, but a residue may sometimes be passed into treated water. Aluminum may cause discoloration of water. Currently, there is ongoing research and various studies on the link between aluminum in drinking water and Alzheimer's Disease. The recommended treatment methods for aluminum are Distillation or Reverse Osmosis.

Arsenic Water Treatment

Arsenic is a semi-metal element in the periodic table. Arsenic is odorless and tasteless. It enters drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices, including copper smelting operations, mining, coal burning, use of certain pesticides and fertilizers, and industrial waste disposal. Arsenic compounds have been shown to produce acute and chronic toxic effects which include systemic irreversible damage. Arsenic has been linked to cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver, and prostate. Non-cancer effects can include thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness in hands and feet, partial paralysis, and blindness.

There are two types of arsenic: Trivalent = III (3) and Pentavalent=V (5). Trivalent arsenic is generally more difficult to remove from drinking water than pentavalent arsenic. Trivalent arsenic can be converted to pentavalent arsenic in the presence of an effective oxidant such as free chlorine. In other words, if the supply water is chlorinated the trivalent arsenic is converted to pentavalent arsenic which is easier to remove. If the water supply is not chlorinated, the trivalent arsenic will remain as trivalent arsenic which is more difficult to remove.

The EPA has classified Arsenic as a known human carcinogen. The EPA has set the arsenic standard for drinking water at .010 parts per million (10 parts per billion) to protect consumers served by public water systems from the effects of long-term, chronic exposure to arsenic.

Reverse osmosis can treat water containing up to 0.160 mg/L of arsenic. Reverse Osmosis has approximately a 90% removal rate.

Asbestos Water Treatment

Why Do You Need to be Concerned About Asbestos?

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been commonly used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. Because of its fiber strength and heat-resistant properties, asbestos has been used for a wide range of manufactured goods, mostly in building materials (roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products, and asbestos cement products), friction products (automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts), heat-resistant fabrics, packaging, gaskets, and coatings.

When asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed by repair, remodeling or demolition activities, microscopic fibers become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems. See more information on asbestos below.

Most Common Sources of Asbestos Exposure:

Workplace exposure to people that work in industries that mine, make or use asbestos products and those living near these industries, including:
- the construction industry (particularly building demolition and renovation activities)
- The manufacture of asbestos products (such as textiles, friction products, insulation, and other building materials)
- During automotive brake and clutch repair work
Deteriorating, damaged, or disturbed asbestos-containing products such as insulation, fireproofing, acoustical materials, and floor tiles.

Atrazine Water Treatment

Atrazine is an organic compound that is a widely used herbicide. Atrazine is used to kill weeds, primarily on farms, but has also been used on highway and railroad rights-of-way. It may wash from soil into streams or groundwater, where it will stay for a long time, because the breakdown of the chemical is slow in water. The EPA now restricts how atrazine can be used and applied; only trained people are allowed to spray it. Its use is controversial due to its effects on nontarget species. Atrazine was banned in the European Union (EU) in 2004 because of its persistent groundwater contamination. Its endocrine effects, possible carcinogenic effect, and epidemiological connection to low sperm levels in men have led several researchers to call for banning it in the US. Individuals may be exposed by drinking water from wells that are contaminated with the herbicide. The EPA has set a maximum amount of atrazine in drinking water of 0.003 milligrams of atrazine per liter of drinking water (0.003 mg/L). The recommended treatment method for the removal of atrazine from drinking water is a Reverse Osmosis System.

Barium Water Treatment

Barium (Ba) is a lustrous, machinable metal which exists in nature only in ores containing mixtures of elements. It is used in making a wide variety of electronic components, in metal alloys, bleaches, dyes, fireworks, ceramics and glass. In particular, it is used in well drilling operations where it is directly released into the ground. Many of us are familiar with barium because it's used in medical procedures, most notably when X-rays are taken of the gastrointestinal tract. In that situation, it is carefully administered under medical supervision and no harm is done to the person taking it.

However, barium is toxic and if it is found in high levels in a water supply - which can happen in situations where industrial runoff has occurred - then it is dangerous. Barium is used in plastics manufacturing, in oil well drilling, in the manufacturing of brakes, acoustic foam, and root canal filling. Given the many good uses for barium and the many ways that it can also harm us, it's obvious that it's important to monitor the presence of barium in our surroundings.

Barium, when found in drinking water, is not associated with increased risk of cancer or birth defects, but it can cause breathing difficulties. Other medical problems associated with ingesting barium at abnormally high levels include high blood pressure, alterations in heart rhythm patterns, stomach problems, swelling of vital organs such as the brain and liver, and heart or kidney damage.

The EPA has set the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) at 2 parts per million (ppm). This number was used to create a standard which the EPA terms a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), also 2 ppm. Should barium be discovered in a water supply at greater levels than this, the local water supplier is obligated to notify the public, according to the EPA, via media including newspapers, radio, and TV.

Barium is a naturally occurring metal found in many types of rocks. In stream water and most groundwater, only traces of the element are present. It is also used in oil and gas drilling muds, automotive paints, bricks, tiles and jet fuels. Exposure has been associated with hypertension and toxicity in animals.

The following treatment methods have been approved by EPA for removing barium: Ion Exchange, Reverse Osmosis, Lime Softening, and Electrodialysis.

Benzine Water Treatment

What is Benzine and how is it used?

Benzine is a colorless, highly flammable liquid. It is used as a cleaning agent because it is a solvent for organic substances such as fats, oils, and resins and is also used in the preparation of certain dyes and paints. Benzine is a mixture of hydrocarbons, chiefly alkanes such as pentane and hexane. It is obtained by the fractional distillation of petroleum. It is also called petroleum benzin. Benzine is also used as a motor fuel; naphtha. Benzine is a high volume chemical for pesticide use. See more information on benzine below.

Is Benzene the same as Benzine?

No, Benzene is different than Benzine. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that benzene is a known human carcinogen. The EPA has set the maximum permissible level of benzene in drinking water at 0.005 milligrams per liter (0.005 mg/L). Benzene is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor. It evaporates into the air very quickly and dissolves slightly in water. It is highly flammable and is formed from both natural processes and human activities. Benzene is widely used in the United States; it ranks in the top 20 chemicals for production volume. Some industries use benzene to make other chemicals which are used to make plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers. Benzene is also used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. Leakage from underground storage tanks or from hazardous waste sites containing benzene can result in benzene contamination of well water.

How do I remove Benzine from my drinking water?

The recommended treatment method is activated carbon.

Cadmium Water Treatment

Cadmium is a metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements. Cadmium (Cd) is a metal that's commonly used to make batteries and pigments for plastic products. The greatest use of cadmium is primarily for metal plating and coating operations, including transportation equipment, machinery and baking enamels, photography, and television phosphors. It is also used in nickel-cadmium and solar batteries and in pigments. So it's easy to see that in our world today, cadmium is practically everywhere. While that's useful to us, obviously - we all use plastics, we all use batteries - it's also something we need to be aware of, and be cautious about. See more information on cadmium below. Cadmium is a constructive material, but it serves no good purpose in human bodily functioning. Cadmium poisoning is an acknowledged occupational hazard for those who work in industry doing metal plating or manufacturing nickel-cadmium batteries or other fields where cadmium is used. Generally, the poisoning is caused by inhalation of the toxic metal, but cadmium poisoning can occur outside of industrial sites where chemical runoff occurs. In these situations, cadmium causes a genuine environmental hazard.

OSHA and the EPA both acknowledge that cadmium is a dangerous contaminant, and they each have issued statements and warnings about cadmium in the workplace and in the environment. The MCLG level for cadmium is 0.005, with the same number as the MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): 5 parts per billion (ppb). Levels of cadmium above this can cause kidney damage, lung or prostate cancers, pulmonary emphysema, and bone diseases such as osteomalacia and osteoporosis. Cadmium poisoning can also cause anemia (iron deficiency) and discoloration of teeth. See WaterFilters.NET for water filtration systems to rid your water of contaminants.

Cadmium is found in very low concentrations in most rocks, as well as in coal and petroleum, and often in combination with zinc. It is introduced into the environment from mining and smelting operations. Other cadmium emissions are from fossil fuel use, fertilizer application, sewage sludge disposal or galvanized pipe corrosion. Acute and chronic exposure to cadmium in animals and humans may cause hypertension, anemia, and kidney damage.

The following treatment methods have been approved by the EPA for removing cadmium: Coagulation/Filtration, Ion Exchange, Lime Softening and Reverse Osmosis.

Calcium Water Treatment

Water described as "hard" is high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not a health risk, but a nuisance because of mineral buildup on fixtures and poor soap and/or detergent performance. Calcium exists in soil and rock such as limestone, dolomite and gypsum. Drinking water contributes only a small amount of the required daily intake. Concentrations as great as 1800 mg/l of calcium in water are reported harmless. It can be a nuisance as it contributes to the hardness of the water and build-up on pipes or water heaters may inhibit their performance. Low levels can be helpful as it tends to form a coating on pipes which may prevent corrosion.

Hard water interferes with almost every cleaning task, from laundering and dishwashing to bathing and personal grooming. Clothes laundered in hard water may look dingy and feel harsh and scratchy. Dishes and glasses may be spotted when dry. Hard water may cause a film on glass shower doors, shower walls, bathtubs, sinks, faucets, etc. Hair washed in hard water may feel sticky and look dull. Water flow may be reduced by deposits in pipes. The amount of hardness minerals in water affects the amount of soap and detergent necessary for cleaning. Soap used in hard water combines with the minerals to form a sticky soap curd. Some synthetic detergents are less effective in hard water because the active ingredient is partially inactivated by hardness, even though it stays dissolved. Bathing with soap in hard water leaves a film of sticky soap curd on the skin and hair. When doing laundry in hard water, soap curds lodge in fabric during washing to make fabric stiff and rough. Incomplete soil removal from laundry causes graying of white fabric and the loss of brightness in colors. A sour odor can develop in clothes. Continuous laundering in hard water can shorten the life of clothes. In addition, soap curds can deposit on dishes, bathtubs and showers, and all water fixtures. Hard water also contributes to inefficient and costly operation of water-using appliances. Heated hard water forms a scale of calcium and magnesium minerals that can contribute to the inefficient operation or failure of water-using appliances. Pipes can become clogged with scale that reduce water flow and ultimately requires pipe replacement.

The recommended treatment method for reducing calcium is a Water Softener.

Chloride Water Treatment

Chloride Water Treatment

Chlorides are widely distributed in nature as salts of sodium (NaCl), potassium (KCl), and calcium (CaCl2). Chloride in water can be a residual of chlorine and has been attributed to use of salt to de-ice roads. Other sources of chloride in groundwater may be related to sea water trapped in sediments, the use of inorganic fertilizers, landfill leachates, septic tank effluents, animal feeds, and industrial effluents. High levels can contribute to the corrosivity of plumbing and may be accompanied by high sodium levels, which may be a health concern. Chlorides can corrode metals and affect the taste of food products. Therefore, water that is used in industry or processed for any use has a recommended maximum chloride level.

The recommended treatment method to reduce Chloride is a Reverse Osmosis System. Reverse Osmosis will remove 90 - 95% of the chlorides, because of its salt rejection capabilities.

Chromium Water Treatment

Many of us have heard of hexavalent chromium because we have seen the movie Erin Brockovich, in which the heroine of the movie works with a lawyer to win a lawsuit against a company that has poisoned a community by letting hexavalent chromium seep into the local water table. Sadly, the movie is based on a true story. And it's true that we need to be vigilant in our awareness of hexavalent chromium (also called chromium (VI), abbreviated as Cr(VI) ). See more information on chromium below.

Hexavalent chromium is an extremely toxic substance that is dangerous when inhaled or because of prolonged skin contact. It may seem unlikely for people to have prolonged contact with hexavalent chromium, but the fact is that it does occur. Chromium is a naturally occurring metal. It is often used in electroplating of metals. Although chromium is not currently mined in the U.S., waste from old mining operations may enter surface and ground water through runoff and leaching. Exposure at high levels has been shown to result in chronic toxic effects such as dermatitis, ulceration of skin or liver, and kidney damage in animals and humans by ingestion.

People who work with pigments that are made with dry chromate, or spray paints or coatings that are made with chromates, or who work as welders or cutters of metals such as stainless steel (which contains chromium), are all at risk for toxic exposure to hexavalent chromium.

Hexavalent chromium can cause lung cancer. Chromium, which exists in three forms (divalent, trivalent, and hexavalent) is carcinogenic only when it is hexavalent chromium. By comparison, chromium III (trivalent chromium) is actually necessary to the body to metabolize sugar. It is important to remember this distinction.

The NIH released a study in May 2007 that indicated that hexavalent chromium can cause cancer when ingested through drinking water. This had been suspected but no studies had been able to offer significant proof of the theory; researchers did find, however, that lab animals developed tumors in their mouths after exposure to hexavalent chromium through their drinking water. The EPA has determined the MCL for hexavalent chromium is 0.1 ppm.

The recommended treatment method for chromium reduction is Distillation or Reverse Osmosis."

Copper Water Treatment

Copper is a reddish metal that occurs naturally in rock, soil, water, sediment, and air. Levels of copper found naturally in groundwater and surface water are generally very low; about 4 micrograms of copper in one liter of water (4 ug/1) or less. However, drinking water may contain higher levels of a dissolved form of copper. High levels of copper occur if corrosive water comes in contact with copper plumbing and copper-containing fixtures in the water distribution system. If corrosive water remains motionless in the plumbing system for six hours or more, copper levels may exceed 1,000 ug/l. The level of copper in drinking water increases with the corrosivity of the water and the length of time it remains in contact with the plumbing. Water can be a significant source of copper intake depending upon the geographic location, water character, water temperature, and the presence of copper pipes. At concentrations above 1 mg/l, copper can stain laundry and plumbing fixtures. Copper can also cause a greenish/blue tint to blond hair. Copper is an essential element at lower levels but levels above 5 mg/l can cause gastrointestinal disturbances or other acute toxic effects. The recommended treatment method for reducing copper in water is Distillation or Reverse Osmosis.

Cysts (Cryptosporidium and Giardia) Disinfection

What are Cryptosporidium and Giardia Cysts?

Giardia and Cryptosporidium are widespread intestinal parasites that cause diarrheal illnesses in people. They are not bacteria or viruses, but protozoa with complex life cycles, which exist in a cyst form, very much like a microscopic egg. Giardia cysts are extremely small; they are 10 times smaller than the smallest object that can be seen with the naked eye, and Cryptospordium oocysts are even smaller.

What health problems are caused by Cysts (Cryptosporidium and Giardia)?

When even a few cysts are consumed, they enter the small intestine, where they excyst, or "hatch," and can multiply into millions of protozoa. Giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis are flu-like illnesses with symptoms involving persistent diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, weight loss and sometimes dehydration.

How do we get Cysts (Cryptosporidium and Giardia)?

Cysts and oocysts are commonly transmitted from the environment to humans through inadequately or improperly treated drinking water. Most surface water sources either contain or are vulnerable to Giardia cyst and Cryptosporidium oocyst contamination at one time or another. Since some people are carriers, cysts and oocysts may enter the water through treated and untreated sewage discharges. Of particular concern are those animals that live in or near the water, since they are likely to deposit cysts and oocysts directly into drinking water supplies. Livestock are notorious carriers of Cryptosporidium, while beavers have been identified as a carrier of Giardia. Once in the water, both protozoan cysts remain capable of infecting a host for many months, especially in colder water where they are more resistant to natural die-off. Since many animals are carriers of cysts and oocysts, you should never drink untreated water from even the clearest-looking stream or river. Giardia has become famous as the "backpacker's disease" because so many unsuspecting hikers and backpackers often become ill after drinking water directly from clear, mountain streams. You should also avoid untreated spring water--no matter how clean it looks--because cysts, oocysts, bacteria, and viruses may contaminate the spring supply at any time.

The recommended method of treatment is a Reverse Osmosis System or other point-of-use water filter capable of removing particles less than one micron in diameter.

E. Coli Water Treatment

What is E. coli and where does it come from?

E. coli is a type of fecal coliform bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans. E. coli is short for Escherichia coli. The presence of E. coli in water is a strong indication of recent sewage or animal waste contamination. During rainfalls, snow melts, or other types of precipitation, E. coli may be washed into creeks, rivers, streams, lakes, or ground water. When these waters are used as sources of drinking water and the water is not treated or inadequately treated, E. coli may end up in drinking water.

What are the health effects of E. coli?

Although most strains of e.coli are harmless and live in the intestines of healthy humans and animals, there is a strain that produces a powerful toxin and can cause severe illness. Infection often causes severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Children under the age of five, the elderly, and people whose health is immunocompromised (i.e., people who have long-term illnesses such as cancer or AIDS) are at greater risk of severe illness.

Water can be treated using ultra-violet light to kill or inactivate E. coli.

Fluoride Water Treatment

Fluoride is naturally occurring and often may be added to municipal water systems. At an optimum level of 1 mg/l, it has been shown to be effective in reducing dental cavities. Federal law requires a community well system to notify users when monitoring indicates that fluoride in the user's water exceeds 2 mg/l. The current allowable level is 4 mg/l. Fluoridated water is somewhat controversial. You may want to remove fluoride from your drinking water for personal/health reasons. Reverse Osmosis systems will reduce the fluoride in drinking water. Some Countertop Filters and Undersink Filters can also reduce fluoride.

Iron Water Treatment

How do I know if I have Iron Problems with my Water?

If your water has a metallic taste or red/yellow colorization, you very well may have iron in your water. Iron can deposit brown, orange or yellow stains on kitchen and bath fixtures, as well as washing machines and clothing. See the EPA Office of Ground & Drinking Water-Local Water Report for information on water in your area. If you have a well or are located in a municipality not listed in this report, you may conduct a water test to confirm the amount of iron in your water. You can contact a state-certified lab for testing, or you can test the water yourself with a water test kit.
Scroll down on this page for more information on determining whether your water problem is indeed iron.

What Level of Iron is safe in my Water?

The EPA recommends that safe water includes less than 0.3 mg of iron per liter of water.

A couple of water treatment system and filter options include the following:

Limescale Water Treatment

What is Limescale?

Limescale is the hard, off-white chalky deposit found in kettles, on air dried cooking utensils, bathroom tiling, hot water heater elements and on the inner surface of old pipes. It can also be found on taps where hard water has been continually running through. Scale is generally caused by hard water.

What are the effects of Lime Scale?

Limescale is unsightly and hard to clean. Lime scale can impair the operation of various components (such as water heater elements) or damage them. In faucets, limescale reduces the flow of water. In kettles, limescale acts as an insulator, impairing heat transfer.

How to treat Lime scale?

Using a water softener will help prevent limescale buildup which will make for lower long-term maintenance costs and a longer usage life. To remove limescale from surfaces, use a descaling agent and scouring pad. However, this method may damage underlying surfaces.

Lindane Water Treatment

What is Lindane and how is it used?

Lindane is a white crystalline organic solid that has been used both as an agricultural insecticide and as a pharmaceutical treatment for infestations of lice and scabies. Most uses for lindane were restricted in 1983. Lindane is currently used primarily for treating wood-inhabiting beetles and seeds. It is also used as a dip for fleas and lice on pets, and livestock, for soil treatment, on the foliage of fruit and nut trees, vegetables, timber, ornamentals and for wood protection. Lindane enters surface water as a result of runoff from agricultural land and from home and garden applications where it is used as an insecticide. The MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals) for lindane has been set at 0.2 parts per billion (ppb). The MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) has been set at 0.2 ppb by the EPA

What are the Health Effects?

Short-term: EPA has found lindane to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: high body temperature and pulmonary edema.

Long-term: Lindane has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: liver and kidney damage.

How do I remove Lindane from my drinking water?

The recommended treatment method is Granular activated charcoal.

Magnesium Water Treatment

Water described as "hard" is high in dissolved minerals, specifically calcium and magnesium. Hard water is not a health risk, but a nuisance because of mineral buildup on fixtures and poor soap and/or detergent performance. Magnesium is commonly found in rocks such as granite, sandstone, limestone, and dolomite. High levels can contribute to the hardness of water and inhibit the performance of pipes and water heaters.

The recommended treatment method for magnesium is a Water Softener.

Manganese Water Treatment

Manganese in water is a common, naturally occurring problem but can also be introduced by industry. It can produce a brownish discoloration and have a very unpleasant odor and taste. It may produce black deposits and black filaments. Chlorine bleach should not be used in laundry washed in water with a high iron or manganese content because it can cause stains to set. Some types of bacteria derive their energy by reacting with soluble forms of iron and manganese. These organisms are usually found in waters that have high levels of iron and manganese in solution. The reaction changes the iron and manganese from a soluble form into a less soluble form, thus causing precipitation and accumulation of black or reddish brown gelatinous material (slime). Masses of mucous, iron, and/or manganese can clog plumbing and water treatment equipment. They also slough off in globs that become iron or manganese stains on laundry. Currently known cases of manganese poisoning have occurred at elevated levels much higher than levels found in most natural water.

The most common treatment method for manganese is a Water Softener.

Mercury Water Treatment

What is Mercury?

Mercury is a shiny, silver-white metal and is one of the least abundant elements in the Earth's crust.

What is mercury used in?

Metallic mercury has been commonly used in thermometers, pressure gauges, electric switches, fluorescent lamps, and dental fillings. Inorganic mercury compounds (such as mercuric chloride) are used in batteries, paper manufacturing, and the chemical industry. Mercury is used to prevent mildew in outdoor paints. It was also used in the past in indoor paints and agricultural pesticides. This metal is also used in electrical equipment and some water pumps.

How does mercury get into drinking water?

There are many ways that mercury can get into your drinking water. Rain and snow can carry mercury from the air into surface waters supplies such as lakes, rivers and reservoirs. Mercury can seep into underground water supplies from industrial and hazardous waste sites. Improperly disposed household products, such as mercury-containing outdoor paints, can move through the soil and reach private well water supplies. Past applications of mercury-based pesticides on agricultural lands, such as farms and fruit orchards, can wash into nearby surface waters or travel through the soil into underground water supplies.

What are the health concerns with mercury?

Mercury can cause a variety of harmful health effects in the body. The type and severity of these health effects depend upon the form and amount of mercury that you are exposed to, and how much mercury has built up in the body over time. Exposure at high levels may result in kidney disease or central nervous system problems. Young children and developing fetuses are at the greatest risk of the harmful effects of mercury.

The recommended treatment method is Reverse Osmosis or Distillation. If you're looking for a point of use solution many premium refrigerator filters also reduce mercury.

MTBE Water Treatment

What is MTBE?

MTBE (methyl-t-butyl ether) is a member of a group of chemicals commonly known as fuel oxygenates. Oxygenates are added to fuel to increase its oxygen content. MTBE is used in gasoline throughout the United States to reduce carbon monoxide and ozone levels caused by auto emissions. MTBE has replaced the use of lead as an octane enhancer since 1979.

How does MTBE contaminate water supplies? There are opportunities for MTBE to leak into the environment (and potentially get in drinking water sources) wherever gasoline is stored, and there are opportunities for it to be spilled whenever fuel is transported or transferred. Releases of MTBE to ground and surface water can occur through leaking underground storage tanks and above-ground fuel storage tanks, pipelines, spills, automobile accidents damaging the fuel tank, consumer disposal of "old" gasoline, emissions from marine engines into lakes and reservoirs, storm water runoff, and precipitation.

What happens when MTBE gets into the environment? Because MTBE dissolves easily in water and does not "cling" to soil very well, it migrates faster and farther in the ground than other gasoline components, thus making it more likely to contaminate public water systems and private drinking water wells. MTBE does not degrade (break down) easily and is difficult and costly to remove from groundwater.

Reverse Osmosis with activated carbon pre-filtration will reduce MTBE from drinking water.

Nickel Water Treatment

Nickel (Ni) is a dietary requirement for many organisms, but may be toxic in larger doses. Metallic nickel and some other nickel compounds are teratogenic and carcinogenic to mammals. Nickel may be found in slate, sandstone, clay minerals and basalt, however; nickel is not commonly found in nature as a pure metal. Nickel is often used in electroplating, stainless steel and alloy products. Nickel is directly emitted from various industries through discharge on surface waters. It generally gets into water from mining and refining operations. Nickel compounds are also applied in agriculture. Phosphate fertilizers contain traces of nickel. The absorption of dietary nickel from the gastrointestinal tract appears to be quite low, with the majority of nickel passed through the body.

The recommended method of treatment for nickel is Reverse Osmosis or Distillation.

Nitrates Water Treatment

Unlike most contaminants that enter into water supplies via dissolved minerals, Nitrate (NO3) only becomes part of a water supply through the events of the nitrogen cycle. Nitrate is a major ion in natural rivers and lakes. At its natural levels, nitrate is usually not a problem. However, septic systems, feed lots, and agricultural fertilizers can cause nitrate contamination in ground water. As part of a natural chemical process in the body, nitrate is reduced to nitrite. The EPA has determined the MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) for nitrate at 10 ppm.

Nitrate (NO3) is a molecule composed of nitrogen and oxygen. These elements, independently, are not regarded as contaminants, but in combination, under certain circumstances, they can be a problem.

Nitrate develops when nitrogen merges with oxygenated water. In most situations where this happens, it's related to plant growth, and nitrate is found in many vegetables. We consume nitrates, then, without any adverse effects and without concern. It's not harmful in that situation. But nitrates in our drinking water can contaminate water, another matter altogether.

Nitrates can enter our water system through runoff; fertilizer and animal wastes, if leached into the water supply, can lead to undesirably high levels of nitrates in water. The health effects of elevated nitrate levels are most evident in infants, who can develop a medical problem called methemoglobinemia, a lack of oxygen in the blood. This can lead to coma, and can be fatal, though the condition is treatable if taken care of immediately. Nursing mothers who consume water with elevated nitrate levels can find that their breast milk is affected, which is a concern though no cases of methemoglobinemia have been attributed to an infant's consumption of breast milk with high nitrate levels. Fetuses and newborn children are particularly sensitive to nitrates and nitrites. High levels may result in a dangerous condition known as "Blue Baby Syndrome." Adults with heart or lung problems may suffer ill effects from nitrates, and there are scientists whose research indicates a connection between very high nitrate levels in water and certain cancer risks.

The EPA has determined the MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) for nitrate at 10 ppm. It is believed that at this level or below, nitrates in drinking water would not cause the average person any health problems.

Pesticides and Herbicides Water Treatment

Pesticides and herbicides include a variety of chemical compounds used to control and eliminate weeds and pests in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. These products are used extensively on agricultural fields. They are also used to control weeds in forests, pastures, parks, athletic fields, golf courses, ponds, lakes, and home lawns and gardens. A common route for pesticides and herbicides to contaminate your water is through runoff from surface water and leaching into groundwater. Pesticides are used to control insects and other pests. Certain pesticides have been banned but may still be found in the environment. Herbicides may be used to control algal blooms in reservoirs and for general weed control. These chemicals can seep into groundwater and collect in aquifers. Sometimes they are not filtered out through public water systems and ultimately end up in the water that is used for drinking, cooking, and bathing. There may be a range of health effects related to the nervous, respiratory, or reproductive systems, as well as the heart, liver, or kidneys. The recommended treatment for pesticides and herbicides is Reverse Osmosis with Granular Activated Carbon.

Radon Water Treatment

What is Radon?

Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, naturally occurring radioactive gas produced from the decay of the element radium, which occurs naturally in rocks and soil worldwide. Radon gas can dissolve in groundwater and later be released into the air during such normal household activities as showering, dishwashing and doing laundry. When radon accumulates in indoor air it can pose an increased health risk, primarily, lung cancer.>

How does Radon enter your home?

In general, the migration of radon up from the soil contributes the largest percent of radon found in the average home. It escapes from the earth's crust through cracks and crevices in bedrock and either dissolves in groundwater or seeps through foundation cracks into basements and homes. Radon from a groundwater type water supply source, particularly a bedrock well (also known as an artesian or drilled well), contributes the next largest percentage of radon in the home. If radon is discovered in water, it is likely that radon is entering the house through the basement as well.

What are the Health Risks from Radon?

The primary risk pathway from exposure to radon gas is through inhalation of radon-laden air in a home. Studies indicate that high levels of radon gas in the air increase the risk of lung cancer. Generally, ingested waterborne radon is not a major cause for concern. Although scientists have linked cases of stomach cancer to radon.

Do You Have a Well?

Well owners with elevated indoor radon levels should test their well water for radon. Radon in your water supply can increase your indoor radon level, although, in most cases, radon entering the home through water will be a small source of risk compared with radon entering from the soil. However, when water is agitated, as when showering or washing dishes or doing laundry, radon escapes into the air.

How is Radon Removed From Water?

Radon can be removed from water by using one of two methods: aeration treatment or granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment. Aeration treatment requires spraying water or mixing it with air, and then venting the air from the water before use. GAC treatment filters water through carbon. Radon attaches to the carbon and leaves the water free of radon. The carbon may need to be disposed of with special care if it is used at a high radon level or if it has been used for a long time. In either treatment, it is important to treat the water where it enters your home (point-of-entry system) so that all the water will be treated.

Scale Water Treatment

What is Water Scale?

Water Scale is a coating or precipitate deposited on surfaces that are in contact with hard water. Water that contains carbonates or bicarbonates of calcium or magnesium is especially likely to cause scale. When water is heated or evaporation takes place, scale minerals precipitate layers of rocklike deposits inside pipes, water heaters, equipment, and on fixtures and glassware. Water Scale deposits interfere with heat exchangers and reduce their efficiency by insulating the heat transfer surfaces. If Scale Water deposits are left to accumulate, water flow is restricted and piping and heat exchanger tubes become plugged. Ultimately, ignoring scale depositions can lead to the destruction and possible failure of heat exchanger tubes. In addition to loss of efficiency, process contamination can occur.

What does Water Scale look like?

Water Scale is most visually evident as hard white or off-white deposits which buildup in faucets, showerheads and drains. Water Scale leaves deposits on dishes, glassware, sinks, countertops and on vehicles that were just washed. Most Water Scale formations are hard and very difficult to clean. Scale can also be seen on fixtures such as toilets, bathtubs, showers and appliances like coffee and icemakers. Swimming pools and spas can experience scale build up on tile and pump equipment. Evaporative coolers, cooling towers, boilers, car washes, irrigation systems, processing equipment, paper pulp mills all experience Scale water problems. Because Scale forms a "coating" it can significantly effect thermo-transfer and reduce the flow of fluids. Scale build-up and other Water borne sedimentation can increase the cost of operating water-using equipment because of breakdowns, unplanned shutdowns, process contamination, high product reject rate and/or expensive parts replacements.

How do I prevent Scale Water?

Water Softeners will help keep scale from building up.

Sediment (Dirt, Rust, Sand) Water Treatment

What is Sediment (Dirt, Rust, Sand) Filtration?

Sediment Filtration is an effective method for reducing turbidity in water caused by the presence of suspended solids such as silt, sand, or clay. Sediment Filters remove suspended matter such as sand, dirt, rust, loose scale, clay, or organic material from the water. Untreated water passes through a filter medium, which traps suspended matter. Sediment filters can remove insoluble (not dissolvable) or suspended iron and manganese. Drinking Water Treatment using Sediment Filtration is one option for a homeowner to treat water problems. Sediment filters are often used with other processes such as activated carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, aeration, ozonation, and chlorination.

What problem does sediment cause?

Sediment can damage plumbing and appliances over time. It includes rust particles that can cause brown, yellow, or orange spots on clothing, fixtures, and toilets.

How do I select a Sediment Filter?

Selecting a sediment filtration unit should be based on water analysis and individual needs. When selecting a sediment filtration device, you should consider the flow rate, the filter material, the estimated amount of water it can effectively treat and the water quality desired (filter rating). Most filters are rated according to the smallest particle they can trap. For example, a 10 micron (10 thousandths of a millimeter) filter would trap contaminants 10 microns in diameter or larger. In general, the largest rating size that will remove the intended contaminants will require the least maintenance. Regular replacement of the filter/cartridge is an important factor in maintaining effectiveness and reducing bacterial contamination of the filter.

What contaminants are not removed by sediment filtration?

Sediment filters alone do not effectively remove dissolved organic or inorganic material that may be harmful. They do not effectively remove nitrate, heavy metals, pesticides, or trihalomethanes. Cartridge sediment filters are not generally recommended for removing microbial contaminants.

Do I need POE or POU Sediment Filtration?

When sediment is an issue with water-using appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, or water heaters, Point-of-Entry (POE) sediment filters may be used to treat all water at its entry point into the home. For drinking water filtration, Point-of-Use (POU) devices can be installed under the sink or attached to a tap. Sediment filters are often used as a pre-filter for other water treatment processes to increase their effectiveness and longevity.

Selenium Water Treatment

Selenium (Se) is one of the many elements that is necessary for human life and health in very small amounts, but in larger amounts become harmful. As a result, when it comes to drinking water, selenium is generally regarded as a toxic contaminant.

Because selenium is useful in many industrial settings, it is used to build electronics such as photocopier parts but can also be found in glass, rubber, fabrics, and medical therapies; runoff is possible, and this is how selenium would be most likely to enter the water supply.

The MCL for selenium has been set by the EPA at 0.05 ppm. The concern about selenium is not about when it's consumed in the natural process of life, but when it's absorbed at artificially high levels; in these situations, it is important for selenium to be removed from drinking water. Selenium, if ingested at toxic levels, will cause damage to the nervous system at worst; in less dramatic situations, it causes variation in hair and fingernail development. Selenium can also cause respiratory problems and stomach pains. Though studies have shown that selenium can affect reproductive ability in animals, as yet it is unclear if human exposure results in similar consequences.

Reverse Osmosis will reduce Selenium in water.

Sodium Water Treatment

Sodium in water can come from geological sources, road salt or as a result of using a water softener. A guidance level of 20 mg/l in drinking water is suggested by the EPA. Too much sodium intake in food and water has been identified as a contributor to high blood pressure. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture recommend that Americans reduce their sodium intake. Because the average person in this country consumes several times the recommended daily allowance for sodium, most of us would be healthier with reduced sodium consumption.

There is a small amount of sodium in tap water. Home water softening may increase sodium by passing the water through a bed of ion-exchange media that replaces hardness minerals (calcium and magnesium) with sodium or potassium. Most softeners add sodium to softened water. However, softeners that recharge with potassium do not add sodium; only softeners that recharge with sodium chloride (salt) add sodium to water.

Reverse Osmosis is an effective water treatment method that will remove sodium and other minerals from drinking water.

Sulfur Water Treatment

How do I know if I have Sulfur Problems with my Water?

Sulfur has a rotten egg smell and odor that can be caused by hydrogen sulfide in the water. Sulfur can be hard to remove from your water. The rotten egg smell can also be coming from your hot water heater. If the hot water heater is the culprit, you will need to fix the part in the hot water heater that is causing the sulfur odor.

Taste and Odor Water Treatment

If a taste or odor occurs at every water faucet on the property, the cause is probably the main water supply. If it occurs only in certain faucets, the problem is the fixtures or pipes supplying those specific faucets. If the problem goes away after running the water for a few minutes, the problem is somewhere in your household plumbing system.

Taste Problems:

Salty, Brackish: High Sodium
Alkali Taste: High hardness, total dissolved solids, high alkalinity
Metallic Taste: A metallic taste can be caused by inorganic chemicals such as iron (at levels over 0.004 mg/l), copper (2-5 mg/l), and zinc (4-9 mg/l) and may be related to minerals that can leach into water from pipes.

Odor/Smell Problems:

Sulfur or Rotten Egg Odor: Usually caused by bacteria growing in your sink drain or hot water heater. Sometimes this smell is caused by naturally occurring hydrogen sulfide in your water supply.
Moldy, musty, earthy, grassy, or fishy odor: Commonly caused by bacteria growing in a sink drain or from organic matter such as plants, animals, or bacteria that are naturally present in lakes and reservoirs during certain times of the year.
Chlorine, chemical or medicinal taste or odor: Usually caused by the addition of chlorine to the water, or the interaction of chlorine with a build-up of organic matter in your plumbing system.

The recommended treatment for most Taste and Odor problems is carbon filtration.

THM (Total Trihalomethanes) Water Treatment

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are a byproduct of the water treatment process. Trihalomethanes (THMs) can be be found in chlorinated water supplies. The disinfection byproducts of the chlorination process include a group of chemicals known as Trihalomethanes (THMs). THMs include four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated public water systems check for THMs on a regular basis and that the level of THMs in the water should be less than 80 parts per billion (ppb). The EPA has set standards for THMs in water because there is a slight possibility of an increased risk of bladder or colorectal cancer over a lifetime of drinking water with THMs above 80 parts per billion. THMs are also environmental pollutants, and many are considered carcinogenic. They are Cancer Group B carcinogens (shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals). THM's are not only ingested by the water that we drink but also by inhaling them in the shower. The recommended treatment for THMs is activated carbon filtration or Reverse Osmosis .

Toluene Water Treatment

What is Toluene and how is it used?

Toluene is an organic liquid with a sweet, benzene-like odor. The largest chemical use for toluene is to make benzene and urethane. Toluene is a chemical that occurs naturally in crude oil and is extracted during the refining process. Toluene is used in many industrial processes and commercial products from paint and printing inks to fabric coatings, artificial sweeteners, cosmetics, flexible foams and automotive parts. Toluene is used as a solvent, especially for paints, coatings, gums, oils and resins, and as raw material in the production of benzene, phenol and other organic solvents and in the production of polymers and rubbers. Most toluene (in the form of benzeneâ€“ tolueneâ€“xylene mixtures) is used in the blending of petrol (petrol combustion is a major source of emissions), and it also occurs as a by-product of styrene manufacture. The MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals) for toluene has been set at 1 part per million (ppm). The MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level) has been set at 1 ppm by the EPA. br>

What are the Health Effects?

Short-term: The EPA has found toluene to potentially cause the following health effects when people are exposed to it at levels above the MCL for relatively short periods of time: minor nervous system disorders such as fatigue, nausea, weakness, confusion.

Long-term: Toluene has the potential to cause the following effects from a lifetime exposure at levels above the MCL: more pronounced nervous disorders such as spasms, tremors, impairment of speech, hearing, vision, memory, coordination; liver and kidney damage.

How do I remove toluene from my drinking water?

The recommended treatment method is granular activated charcoal.

Turbidity Water Treatment

Turbidity refers to how clear/cloudy the water is. Turbidity in water is caused by suspended matter, such as clay, silt, fine particles of organic and inorganic matter, and microscopic organisms. The more total suspended solids in the water, the murkier it seems and the higher the turbidity. It is critical to successful water treatment and disinfection to keep turbidity levels low. Higher turbidity levels are often associated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, parasites and some bacteria.

The Water Quality Association (WQA) recommends treating water for turbidity with an activated carbon filter and/or a particulate filter.

Virus Water Treatment

Of all the inhabitants of the microbial world, viruses are the smallest--as tiny as 10 nanometers. Microbiological contamination of water has long been a concern to the public. Viruses, including hepatitis A virus, rotaviruses, and Norwalk and other caliciviruses, are microbes that can cause illness. EPA regulates viruses in drinking water by requiring water systems that use surface water (or ground water under the direct influence of surface water) to treat their water to ensure that 99.99% of viruses are rendered harmless or physically removed.

The recommended method for Virus Water Purification for private wells is Ultra Violet Filtration. UV Disinfection has an effective kill rate of 99.99% of most living microorganisms such as bacteria & viruses.

Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC's) Water Treatment

What are VOCs?

Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) are carbon-containing compounds that evaporate easily from water into air at normal air temperatures. (This is why the distinctive odor of gasoline and many solvents can easily be detected.) VOCs are contained in a wide variety of commercial, industrial and residential products including fuel oils, gasoline, solvents, cleaners and degreasers, paints, inks, dyes, refrigerants and pesticides. People are most commonly exposed to VOCs through the air, in food, through skin contact, and in drinking water supplies.

How do VOCs get into drinking water?

Most VOCs found in the environment result from human activity. When VOCs are spilled or improperly disposed of, a portion will evaporate, but some will soak into the ground. In soil, VOCs may be carried deeper by rain, water or snow melt and eventually reach the groundwater table. When VOCs migrate underground to nearby wells, they can eventually end up in drinking water supplies. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Volatile Organic Chemicals are present in one-fifth of the nation's water supplies. They can enter ground water from a variety of sources. Benzene, for example, may enter ground water from gasoline or oil spills on the ground surface or from leaking underground fuel tanks. Other examples of commonly detected VOCs are dichloromethane (methylene chloride), an industrial solvent; trichloroethylene, used in septic system cleaners; and tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene), used in the dry-cleaning industry. Public water systems are required to be monitored on a routine basis for contamination. For private water supplies, however, it is the homeowner's responsibility to regularly have water quality evaluated.

What are the health risks associated with VOC contamination?

VOCs vary considerably in their toxic (or harmful) effects. Drinking water containing high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) may be harmful to human health. Volatile organic compounds may have a variety of harmful health effects. At high levels of exposure, some VOCs may be harmful to the central nervous system, the kidneys or the liver. Some VOC's are known or suspected carcinogens (cancer causers). Current scientific theory on how cancer starts indicates that even a small level of exposure to a carcinogen may cause an equally small level of risk to some people.

Home Water Treatment Systems

Water treatment systems are available which can remove or reduce VOCs. Some home filter systems - such as activated carbon filters - can effectively remove VOCs if they are properly installed and maintained. Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters are typically used to reduce VOC levels in home drinking water. Filtration systems may be installed for point-of-use treatment at the faucet, or point-of-entry treatment where water enters the home. Point-of-entry systems are preferred for VOCs because they provide safe water for bathing and laundry, as well as for cooking and drinking. (VOCs may enter the body through skin absorption or through inhalation of water vapor.) It is important to determine exactly which contaminants are present in water before choosing a system. Then, treatment systems should be checked periodically to ensure that they are operating properly.