In
this section it is our goal to educate the general public
on common contaminants, treatment options, and water treatment
myths.
Common
water treatment myths:
- "no salt" or "magnetic water
softeners"- These products are widely
sold. It would be wonderful if magnetic water softeners
worked, but the simple answer is that they don't work at
all. The principle is totally based on junk science.
- KDF Filters- KDF filters work
very well as cartridge filters (we sell them here), but
they are ineffective when incorporated into backwashing
systems. They require a backwash rate of 30 GPM per square
foot, but most homes only produce 11 to 18 GPM per square
foot of flow. They don't work when misapplied.
- "Brita" pitcher filters-
It is true that "pitcher type filters" will remove
some contaminants to a low degree, but don't look to these
filters to remove much other than bad taste. Generally they
are disappointing if you are looking for real water quality.
If removing harmful contaminants is an issue for you, then
don't use these filters.
- Municiple water can be trusted-
In my experience, municiple water can not be trusted. Water
in Washington D.C. is a perfect example. Click the Health
Alert in the below links for more information. Believe it
or not, there have been several cases in the United States
in which sewer lines have been piped into drinking water
lines!
Links
EPA
Drinking Water Home Page
Drinking
Water Contaminant MCL's (Max. Contamination Limits) *PDF Format
Drinking
Water Contaminants MCL's (Max. Contaminant Limits) *Non PDF
Water
Contaminant Fact Sheet
Your
Local Drinking Water Information
Health
Alert! Lead in Washington D.C.
Water Supply *PDF File
Safe
Drinking Water
Water purification isn't simply about safe drinking water;
it is also about safe bathing water. Something to keep in
mind at all times is this simple fact: you absorb several
times the concentration of many hazardous chemicals through
a shower than by drinking water. The human skin is the largest
organ in the body. It is even responsible for 2% of your respiration
(breathing).
Anything that comes in contact with your skin is absorbed
into you blood stream. Some chemicals absorb more readily
than others.
Contaminants
List and Treatment Options
These
are some of the most common contaminants in water. This is
by no means a complete list, and is meant only as an educational
aid and to encourage further research. For more detailed information
on each specific contaminant, click the EPA link to the right.
If you suspect a contaminant is in your water we strongly
suggest that you contact
us for more information and treatment options!
| Contaminant
|
Health
Risk |
Source |
Treatment |
EPA
Link |
| Lead |
Health risk for children and pregnant women |
Water
main, and old plumbing |
GAC,
RO |
|
| Arsenic |
Increased risk of bladder, lung, skin, kidney, and liver
cancer |
Naturally
occurring |
RO |
|
| Nitrate/Nitrite |
Major threat to infant health. "Blue baby syndrome" |
Fertilizers, septic systems |
RO,
IE |
|
| Mercury |
Danger
to pregnant women and young children. Kidney damage. |
Landfills,
industrial waste, naturally occurring. |
GAC,
RO |
|
| PCB's
|
Reproductive
problems, cancer, skin changes, thymus gland problems,
immune deficiencies. |
Landfills,
industrial waste. |
WE,
XX |
|
| Sodium |
Taste
issues, other health issues. |
Seawater
ground intrusion, water softeners. |
RO |
None |
| Iron |
Nuisance:
metallic taste, rusty color, red stained clothes. |
Naturally
occurring. |
IM,
OX, AS |
|
| Manganese |
Nuisance:
metallic taste, rusty color, black stained clothes. |
Naturally
occurring. |
IM,
OX, AS |
|
| Hardness |
Nuisance:
poor lather, cosmetic issues. |
Limestone
aquifers, naturally occurring. |
WS |
None |
| Microbes
(Bacteria) |
Diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches. |
Cracked
water pipes, treatment failure, storms. |
GAC,
OX, UV, DI, RO |
|
| MTBE |
Cancer |
Gasoline
additive, absorbed through air and leached into ground
by cracked gas storage tanks. |
GAC |
|
| Radon/
Uranium |
Cancer |
Naturally
occurring in underground ore and rock deposits. |
XX |
|
| Chlorine |
Bladder
cancer, dry skin and hair. |
Used
as a disinfectant and oxidizer. |
GAC,
RO |
|
| THM's |
Cancer,
liver and kidney problems. |
A
by-product of chlorine disinfection. |
GAC,
RO |
|
| Asbestos |
Digestive
tract problems, stomach and lung cancer. |
Used
in water main piping in some communities. |
GAC,
RO, DI |
|
| Chromium |
Damage
to liver, kidneys, nervous system, and skin. |
Naturally
occurring, industrial use. |
GAC,
RO, IE |
|
| Perchlorate |
Reproductive
cancers, dangerous to developing fetus, and thyroid
cancer. |
Rocket
propellant, industrial waste. |
IE,
XX |
None |
| pH |
Corrosive
to piping. Increased lead leaching into water. |
Naturally
occurring deviations, improper treatment. |
PH |
None |
| Benzene
(VOC) |
Cancer,
genetic defects, anemia. |
Leakage
from gas storage tanks. |
GAC |
|
| Vinyl
chloride (PVC) |
Cancer |
Leaching
from home piping. |
GAC |
|
| Xylenes |
Nervous
system damage |
Discharge
from petroleum and chemical factories. |
GAC |
|
|
Toluene |
Tremors, impairment of speech, hearing, vision, memory,
coordination; liver and kidney damage. |
Chemical
factory discharge. |
GAC |
|
|
Cadmium |
Kidney, liver, bone and blood damage. |
Naturally
occurring, industrial metal plating. |
GAC,
RO |
|
|
Cyanide |
Thyroid
damage, weightloss, nerve damage. |
Road
salt, wastewater treatment by-product, metal finishing
plants. |
RO,
OX |
|
| Aluminum |
Alzheimer's
disease |
Flocculent
used in drinking water treatment |
GAC,
RO |
|
|
Acrylamide |
Nervous
system or blood problems, paralysis, and cancer. |
Used
in sewage and wastewater treatment. |
XX |
|
|
Benzo(a)pyrene |
Reproductive
difficulties, and cancer. |
Found
in water distribution systems and tanks. Incomplete
combustion of hydrocarbons. |
GAC |
|
| Dioxin |
Cancer |
Landfills,
chemical waste, chlorinated chemical waste. |
GAC |
|
Hydrogen
Sulfide |
Toxic
inhalation hazard |
Decomposition
of septic systems. Sewer contamination. Natural byproduct
of organic decay. |
IM,
AS, OX |
|
Treatment Index Key
| GAC- Filtration |
IE- Special Ion Exchange
Resin |
| UV- Ultra Violet Disinfection |
PH- Acid Neutralizer |
| RO- Reverse Osmosis |
DI- Distillation |
| WS- Water Softener |
WE- Contact Us For Treatment Options |
| IM- Iron/ Manganese System |
OX- Oxidizer (Ex. Chlorine, Bromine) |
| AS- Aeration/ Air Stripping |
XX- Serious Risk. Contact Us |
|
