Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate 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 at 1-800-426-4791 or visiting the EPA website.
The sources of drinking water (both tap 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.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.
Microbial contaminantssuch as viruses and bacteria, which may come from wildlife or septic systems. |
Inorganic contaminantssuch as salts and metals, which can occur naturally or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges and farming. |
Pesticides and herbicideswhich may come from a variety of sources such as farming and forestry activities, urban storm water runoff, and home or business landscaping activities. |
Organic chemical contaminantsincluding synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes. These substances also can come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff and septic systems. |
Radioactive contaminantscan occur natrually or may result from oil and gas production and mining activities. |
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Special health considerations
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Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as those with cancer undergroing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorder, some elderly, and infancts can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available at the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791). |
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