What are the top drinking water contaminants and their treatment techniques?

Fluoride can occur naturally in tap water as sodium Fluoride. However more commonly it is added as hydrofluorosilicic acid. Besides water fluoridation hydrofluorosilicic acid is used for electroplating and tanning hides. Fluoride first became a topic of interest around 1901, where it was studied in local water sources. Scientists found the compound to have anti-cavity characteristics. However, in higher doses Fluoride can cause brain damage, cancer, and disrupt sexual development – especially in developing children. Water filters that remove fluoride are often employed as a measure of keeping fluoride levels in check.

Number 26 on the periodic table of elements, Iron is most commonly found in 2 forms: soluble ferrous (clear-water iron) and insoluble ferric (red-water iron). While iron is an essential component of the human diet and supports oxygen transport in the blood. It is also considered a secondary aesthetic contaminant, because of its poor taste, odor, and staining qualities. Health concerns are possible at higher contamination levels.

Arsenic is infiltrates groundwater supplies through natural processes, eventually contaminating aquifers used for drinking water. Low levels of the element pose a problem when consumed, and can have a carcinogenic affect.

Calcium occurs naturally in fresh water and saltwater. Calcium is a primary element in determining a water's hardness and it's pH but is less impactful than magnesium. Calcium is usually white or pale yellow and is the 5th most abundant element in the earth’s crust. When excessive amounts are present in water supplies, dissolved calcium and magnesium hardness promotes scaling in pipes and appliances, negatively impacting - energy consumption and flow rate; and causing aesthetic problems such as spotting glassware. Calcium and magnesium minerals are essential for human health but are less bioavailable when drawn from water than the calcium and magnesium minerals found in cows' milk or other animal and plant sources.

All rain and groundwater aquifers contain some level of nitrates derived from naturally occurring dissolved nitrogen found in our atmosphere and biome. Agricultural areas typically see elevated levels of nitrates from fertilizer runoff into local watersheds. Excess levels of nitrates in tap water are linked to several negative health effects in children, most notably methemoglobinemia or “blue-baby syndrome”. In general, nitrate consumption is thought not to represent a significant health risk to adults below the EPA’s RfD of 0.1mg nitrate per kg body weight/per day; however, well water contaminated with high levels of nitrates corelates and accompanies agricultural pesticides – a serious secondary issue. Some researchers suspect that consuming water high in nitrates may increase the risk of thyroid disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive substance, that is produced as Uranium decays over time. In groundwater, it is found in 3 ionic forms: Radium 224, 226, and 228. The potential for health effects depends on the amount present, time spent near the radioactive location, proximity to the source of the radiation, and whether any shielding is present. Accumulation is possible due to the extended rate of decay – example: Radium-228 (a beta-particle emitter) has a half-life of 5.75 years, and Radium-224 (a alpha-particle emitter) has a half-life of 1620 years. 

A radioactive gas with no color, odor, or taste and comes from the natural breakdown of radioactive uranium in the ground. Radon is not found in surface level water, as is released into the air far before, but can be a danger when brought up from underground water tables (which affect those on a well water supplies). Radon exposure is responsible for 15% of lung cancer cases worldwide, 2nd only to smoking.

Contrary to popular belief, uranium is a fairly common naturally occurring radioactive substance. It is found in rocks, soil, air and water. Uranium can appear in several compounds, and has been linked to carcinogenic effects like cancer, and even death in adult humans. Those who source their water from private wells should confirm the amout of uranium present through cost-effective water analysis.

Chlorine has a nauseating odor. Chlorine gas has a greenish yellow color, and is used as a disinfectant by municipal water departments. Historically in higher concentrations, it was used as a chemical weapon. Biproducts of disinfection, in combination with the chemical, continue to pose potential health concerns, including lung injury, asthma, dementia, reproductive issues, dementia, and compromised immune system. Immediate signs of chlorine exposure are numerous, and include everything from shortness of breath, to a burning sensation in the nose, skin, throat, and eyes. However, widespread municipal water disinfection is a cornerstone of public health and has contributed to prolonging human life, reducing widespread sickness, and reducing infant mortality. Modern civilization owes a great deal to chlorine water disinfection.

A chemical disinfectant which is found in two different types: inorganic and organic. Chloramines are most often employed in public pools, and have been adopted by a growing number of public water utilities (used since the 1950’s) as a safer alternative to chlorine. Although less volatile than traditional chlorine, chloramine has been linked to skin rashes, redness, irritation, discoloration, scaliness, and flakiness. It can quickly break down gaskets and o-rings in home plumbing and appliances, leading to leaks and property damage when incorrect gasket materials area employed.

Synthetic chemical compounds (also known as “forever chemicals”), PFO and PFOAs have been popularized by their numerous uses in industrial and manufacturing processes, as they are resistant to water and lipids; perfluoroalkyl substances have been linked to impaired glucose metabolism in young adults. PFOs and PFOAs are found in everything from outdoor skis to indoor rugs. They are linked to several health risks including delayed puberty, liver problems, thyroid dysfunction, and immune disorders. Home Master RO systems are effective in reducing PFOAs.

Commonly found in municipal drinking water, bromate is formed when ozone is used as a disinfection technique combines with naturally occurring bromide found in the source water. Bromate is a common carcinogen that has been banned all over the world outright, with the US being one of the only exceptions.

VOC’s are carbon based chemicals that evaporate quickly and usually have no odor. Their effect is compounded in areas with inadequate air circulation like basements and factories. Manmade VOCs include paints, pharmaceuticals, refrigerants, dry cleaning agents, petroleum-based fuels, and other industrial solvents that contribute to greenhouse gas and dissolve into groundwater sources. Natural VOCs include nitrogen compounds (NOx), and vegetation as a source of isoprene. VOCs are a primary concern in places with poor ventilation, and have been linked to everything from headaches to liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage.

The large majority of microbes are harmless, and even essential to the human gut biome – such living bacteria support a healthy immune system. Viruses, Bacteria, or parasitic microbes can be destroyed in drinking water by three common methods: chlorination/chemical disinfection/chloramine, Ultraviolet light, or ozone. Protozoan cysts are typically 2 to 50 microns in diameter and be removed by fine media filtration.