Water can quickly and easily become a danger to your health due to an accident or oversight of the source you obtain your water from. The water from your home can easily pick up chemical compounds, such as lead atoms from the pipes it travels through. Likewise, if there is a leak, the contaminants that can easily enter through a cracked pipe can cause a wide range of health issues if consumed. Even though the water may taste clean and fresh, this does not reflect the number of contaminants that could be inside. This list of resources provides you with information and news reports on various concerns, contaminants, risk factors and treatment methods for the water you consume.Some people throughout the United States have more of a reason to be concerned about the safety of their water than others do. These people live in areas that are near industrial plants, which can easily have an effect on the quality of their drinking water if the water is not treated properly. When speaking in terms of children consuming the water, there are several contaminants in particular that are of concern: disinfection byproducts, biological contaminants, pesticides, nitrates and lead. For expecting mothers, the contaminants that are of major concern include lead, organic compounds, nitrates, arsenic and disinfection byproducts, which can cause neural tube defects and miscarriages. Water has the capability to dissolve a wide variety of materials, and because of this reason, it is impossible to obtain pure water from the faucet in your home. Water you purchase in plastic bottles also have some form of chemicals that have been dissolved, such as carbon dioxide, which creates carbonic acid, and even molecules of plastic. Some sources say that water also provides a good source of magnesium and calcium, which is essential to your health. Some of the inorganic compounds that are dissolved in water include nitrate, nitrite, copper, lead and arsenic. Some of the organic compounds include carbon tetrachloride and vinyl chloride.There are several contributing factors that play a role on the types and amounts of contaminants found in your drinking water. The geographic location where you live impacts the availability, as well as the quality, of freshwater. Another risk factor is the fact that the water supplier is responsible for the safety of your drinking water if you receive your water from a municipal source. This is a risk simply because you have no control over someone’s neglect. For those who obtain their water from wells, the potential risk factors include the quality of the groundwater, as well as the maintenance of the septic systems.There are certain things to consider when choosing a water purification system to rely on. Before making your decision, first determine approximately how much water you need to use each day for cooking and drinking. Studies show that a family of four typically requires between four and eight gallons each day. Also, test your water to determine what contaminants are actually present. After you have collected all of the necessary methods, research the different products for quality. Some of the common water treatment methods for home use include boiling, distillation, reverse osmosis, water filters, ultra violet light, ion exchange and activated alumina.
