Common Drinking Water Contaminants
Common Drinking Water Contaminants: In today’s industrialized society we use over 75,000 toxic chemicals, 2100 of which have already been found in our public water supplies.
Water Basics
Private Wells and private water systems may have high levels of contaminants. Private water systems may have improperly sealed (or unsealed) well heads and/or unsealed or open holding tanks. The risks here are the presence of algae, decaying plant matter, insects, animal waste products and bacteria. If you live in farming country, live near a feedlot, or near a poorly designed septic system, Nitrates can be a serious problem, as well. High nitrate levels and that of some other contaminants can be seasonal. You may need to test for nitrates more than once during the year.
Acid Water
Acid water: While many, if not most drinking water sources in the US are slightly alkaline, many, many others are slightly-to-very acidic. Water from shallow wells, springs, rivers, creeks, lakes are very likely to be acidic. It’s best to check your water and know approximately what the pH of it is. The pH of water can change from season to season and your body can handle acid water to some extent but drinking acid liquids over time can wreak havoc on your body.
Chlorine and Chloramine Hazards
By showering in chlorinated and chloramine-laced water we are directly exposing ourselves through the skin and respiratory tract with a concentration of chlorine equaling up to 50 glasses of chlorinated water a day! Just one more major chemical we are exposing ourselves to. It is important to get and use a good shower filter! You can purchase a good one for about $40.