Lead and drinking water Lead is a naturally occurring element found in trace amounts in the earth’s crust. While it has some beneficial uses, it can be toxic to humans and animals. Lead usually gets into drinking water through corrosion of plu...

Understanding the dangers of disinfection byproducts Disinfection byproducts are formed when chlorine-based chemicals or ozone are used in water treatment plants react with bromide and/or natural organic matter (decaying vegetation) that is present ...

Arsenic and Well Water Arsenic (As) is a part of the earth’s crust, occurring naturally in soil and rock. Arsenic can dissolve into groundwater, the primary source of drinking water for many Americans. Some industries in the United States rele...

Facts About Fluoride Previously, the only route of exposure to fluoride was by drinking water or food that contained natural sources of fluoride. Currently, exposure to fluoride comes from more sources including fluoridated dental products such as t...

What is TCE? Trichloroethylene (TCE) is classified as a halogenated aliphatic organic compound. TCE is a colorless, nonflammable liquid. Because of its unique cleaning properties and solvent action TCE has been widely used as in manufacturing, indus...

Acidic Water   Source of Acidic (low pH) Water: pH is an indicator of the acid or alkaline condition of water. The pH scale ranges from 0-14; 7 indicates the neutral point. Water with a pH value less than 7 indicates acidity and tends to be co...

Bromide in Water Source of Bromide: Bromide (Br−) is the anion form of the element bromine. Bromide can react with chlorine and naturally occurring organic matter in drinking water, forming carcinogenic trihalomethanes or halogenated acetic a...

Calcium in Water   Source of Calcium in Water: Calcium is the primary mineral that impacts water hardness. As water passes through limestone rock and gypsum, it dissolves the calcium, making the water hard. Hard water can be found in all ...

Cyanide in Water Source of Cyanide in Water: The most commonly used form, hydrogen cyanide, is mainly used to make the compounds needed to manufacture nylon and other synthetic fibers and resins. Other cyanides are used as herbicides. The major...

Benzene in Water Source of Benzene: Benzene is a volatile, clear, liquid used as a gasoline octane booster and in the manufacture of consumer products such as paint, insecticides and cosmetics. Benzene can get into drinking water from industrial dis...

Aluminum in Water Source of Aluminum: Aluminum (Al) is naturally found in in underground deposits and is one of the most common metals on the Earth’s surface. Aluminum is use in a variety of products ranging from antiperspirants to baking ingr...

Ammonia in Water Source of Ammonia: Ammonia (and ammonium), are naturally occurring in nature and are formed during decomposition of proteins, manure wastes, urine, and from other nitrogen-containing compounds. Ammonia can penetrate into groundwater...

Barium in Water Source of Barium: Barium (Ba) is naturally found in in underground deposits primarily in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Georgia, Kentucky, Montana, Nevada, and Tennessee.  Barium is used in electronic components, fireworks, glass...

Boron in Water   Source of Boron in Water: The generic term “boron” refers to the boron content in boron-containing compounds and to elemental boron. In natural waters, boron exists primarily as boric acid and also borate ions...

Chlorine in Water Source of Chlorine in Water: Chlorine disinfection is a chemical process used in municipal water systems, private wells, schools and businesses where chlorinated chemicals are added to inactivate or kill disease causing organi...

Color in Water Source of Color in Water: There are several causes of discolored water. Decaying vegetation releases dissolved organic compounds into lake and river water, causing brownish or even green colors. Tinted water can also be caused by...

Fluoride in Water Source of Fluoride in Water: Fluoride is a natural element found in bedrock and the soil. Some areas of the US have high levels of naturally occurring fluoride in underground geological formations. Fluoride dissolves easily in...

Iron in Water Source of Iron in Water: Iron is a natural element found in bedrock and the soil. Iron makes up at least 5 percent of the earth’s crust and is one of the earth’s most plentiful resources. Rainwater as it infiltrates th...

Manganese in Water Source of Manganese in Water: Manganese is a mineral that naturally occurs in rocks and soil. It exists in well water as a naturally occurring groundwater mineral, but may also be present due to underground pollution sources....

Nickel in Water Source of Nickel in Water: Nickel is used in the manufacture of many alloys and products such as stainless steel, ceramic paint, jewelry, kitchen ware, batteries, textiles and coins. Nickel is released into the environment by po...

Odors in Water Source of Odors in Water: Unpleasant odors in drinking water can be caused by a variety of natural and manmade compounds. If a taste or odor occurs at every water faucet in the building, the cause is probably the main water suppl...