What Are the Contaminants in Water?

Contaminants in water are something no one wants to deal with nor take into their bodies. Under most circumstances, small amounts of foreign elements in water will not cause any health issues but it's still a good idea to filter water that comes from your local source of water.

Having safe clean water can be a challenge as there are so many different compounds and elements, both natural and man-made, within your water supply. Again, most contaminants in drinking water are not harmful to your health while some are beneficial such as minerals.

The presence of contaminants in the water is not always a problem. Many elements found in drinking water are harmless when at low levels. Contaminants at high levels can be a different story. It can cause various health issues such as lead and waterborne diseases.

In this article, we will go over four types of contaminants that you could find in your drinking water.

The water you drink is sometimes contaminated with chemicals and bacteria. Natural and human sources can also contaminate water. Natural sources can be found in rocks, soil, and fires. Human sources include factories, runoff from farms, and factories. People who live in poor, rural communities experience contamination from their water more often than those who live in other areas.

One of the best ways to eliminate contaminants is through water purification systems. There are different technologies that specialize in the removal of specific contaminants leaving your water fresh and pure.

The procedure for distillation will not remove ionized gases, inorganic ions, or dissolved non-ionized gases but will remove bacteria and pyrogens. Pyrogens are elements produced by bacteria producing fevers when released into the bloodstream.

RO, reverse osmosis removes up to 99% of impurities in water and is considered one of the best systems on the market. Elements removed include suspended impurities, bacteria, Ionics, and pyrogens. Contaminants found in water should be removed as soon as possible using a good water purification system.

Physical contaminants impact the physical appearance of water They are sediment or organic material suspended in water found in lakes, rivers, and streams caused by soil erosion.

Chemical contaminants are elements or compounds. These contaminants can be caused naturally or man-made. Some of the contaminants include nitrogen, bleach, salts, pesticides, toxins produced by bacteria, metals, and from human or animal drugs.

Biological contaminants are organisms in water and are often known as microbes or microbiological contaminants. These contaminants include bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and parasites.

Radiological contaminants include cesium, plutonium, and uranium. Radiological relates to the science of x-rays and other high-energy radiation. These are chemical elements with an unbalanced number of protons resulting in unstable atoms.

Pollutants in water can cause disease or act like poisons. Bacterial and parasites found in poorly treated sewage can enter drinking water and cause digestive problems including cholera and diarrhea. Hazardous chemicals like pesticides and herbicides from industries, farms, golf courses, and homes can cause acute toxicity and sudden death. Chronic toxicity can lead to neurological issues and cancer.

There are many pollutants that enter your body when you drink water or prepare foods with water. The pollutants will enter the digestive tract and then reach other organs in the body causing a variety of illnesses.

When chemicals come in contact with your skin from washing clothes or swimming in polluted water it can lead to skin irritations. Hazardous chemicals in water systems can affect the animals and plants living nearby. In some cases, the organisms will survive with the chemicals in their systems and if these animals are eaten, humans will become ill or develop stronger toxic symptoms. Usually, animals and plants will die or not be able to reproduce.

It's highly recommended if you live in an area where the water systems are not at their best, you install or have installed a good purification system. You will notice the difference very quickly and wonder why you waited so long to get one.