What Causes Drinking Water Contamination?

Water quality is an important consideration for many homeowners in Southwest Florida. Impurities in water can affect taste, hardness and health. While water treatment plants are required to meet EPA standards for contamination levels, a routine water test is a good idea, even if you don’t get your water from a well.

Here are some of the contaminants that a water test can find in drinking water:

Microorganisms

Harmful microorganisms include viruses, cryptosporidium and giardia,all of which can lead to gastrointestinal illness such as diarrhea, vomiting, and cramps.

Disinfection Byproducts

Chlorite is a byproduct of drinking water disinfection. In can cause anemia and nervous system effects in infants and young children. Bromate and haloacetic acids are another byproduct of water treatment and have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Inorganic Chemicals

Inorganic chemicals include: arsenic, asbestos, barium, cadmium, Copper, chromium, lead, mercury, nitrates and other chemicals. These contaminants can occur naturally in the soil that comes in contact with water, as well as from industrial and agricultural byproducts. Even in very small quantities many organic chemicals can cause serious health problems.

Organic Chemicals

Organic chemicals include benzene, dioxine, toluene and other chemicals that can be found in industrial waste and agricultural pesticides and herbicides.

If your drinking water has elevated levels of contamination, or the water hardness, flavor and color is a concern, call ABC Southwest Plumbing & Air Conditioning. We offer a number of solutions for cleaner water, including water softeners and whole home water treatment systems.