Drinking water, including
bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small
amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not
necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information
about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling
the Environment Protection Agency's Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).
The sources of drinking
water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams,
ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface
of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring
minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances
resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.
Microbial
Contaminant,
such as viruses and bacteria may come from sewage treatment plants,
septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.
Inorganic
Contaminants, such as salts and metals can be naturally-occurring
or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial, or domestic wastewater
discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.
Pesticides
and Herbicides may come from a variety of sources such
as agriculture, urban storm water runoff, and residential uses.
Organic
Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile
organic chemicals are by-products of industrial processes and petroleum
production, and can also come from gas stations, urban storm water
runoff, and septic systems.
Radioactive
Contaminants can be naturally occurring or be the result
of oil and gas production and mining activities.
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, EPA prescribes regulations
that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public
water systems. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish
limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide the same
protection for public health.