What are water contaminants?

Contamination can occur at the source and anywhere down the pipe ending at our faucets: the watershed, reservoirs, main pipes, wells, storage tanks, and plumbing. Some contaminants occur naturally, while others knowingly or unintentionally come from man.

Here are some examples of contaminants:

• Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites
• Inorganic materials such as salts and metals (arsenic, lead, mercury)
• Organic materials such as synthetic and volatile chemicals (methane, solvents, pesticides, and herbicides)
• Industrial waste
• Agricultural waste such as livestock feces
• Sewage
• Pharmaceuticals
• Radioactive substances