5 Concerning Contaminants Found In Your Drinking Water

Water is an essential resource, but its quality is threatened by both natural and man-made contaminants. The latter, often due to pollution, are increasing and include five categories of "emerging contaminants": pharmaceuticals, personal care products, endocrine disrupting compounds, pesticides, and perfluorochemicals. Pharmaceuticals are found in various medications and can enter water sources through human waste, poor drug disposal, agricultural runoff, and industrial manufacturing. Personal Care Products can enter the water cycle through sewage treatment effluent, while Endocrine Disrupting Compounds, found in everyday products, can mimic and interfere with the body’s endocrine system. Pesticides can affect the nervous system, skin, eyes, and even cause cancer in high doses.

Water treatment systems, including granulated activated carbon filters and Reverse Osmosis systems, can help reduce or remove these contaminants. Proper irrigation management can also help prevent groundwater contamination. In this article, learn more about these contaminants and how they can be removed.