Why Clean Water Matters
Clean water is something everyone needs. But sometimes, the water coming from your tap can have things in it that you can’t see, smell, or taste. These are called contaminants, and they can change the way water looks, tastes, and even how safe it is to drink.
Different Types of Contaminants
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) says there are four main kinds of contaminants:
- Physical contaminants – things you can see, like dirt, sand, or rust. These can make water look cloudy.
- Chemical contaminants – substances like metals, pesticides, bleach, or even tiny bits of medicine that get into the water.
- Biological contaminants – germs like bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make people sick.
- Radiological contaminants – tiny particles from elements like uranium or radium that give off radiation.
New Problems in Drinking Water
In recent years, scientists have found new kinds of contaminants in water, like leftover medicine, personal care products (such as shampoo or lotion), and other chemicals. We don’t know all the health effects of these yet.
Even the chemicals we use to clean water, like chlorine, can cause other substances to form. These are called disinfection by-products. Some of them, like HAA5 (a group of acids), can be harmful in large amounts, so the EPA sets safety limits.
How the Government Helps Keep Water Safe
The EPA keeps a Contaminant Candidate List (CCL). This is a list of chemicals and germs found in drinking water that may require additional testing or regulations. The newest list, from 2022, has dozens of chemicals and 12 germs that experts are watching closely.
The EPA also sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for specific substances. This means they put a limit for how much of something is safe in drinking water.
Why You Should Pay Attention
Even with safety rules, it’s still possible for contaminants to get into drinking water, especially from old pipes or after storms and flooding. Some things, like PFAS (“forever chemicals”), can stay in water for a very long time and are hard to remove.
The best way to know if your water is safe is to test it. This helps identify problems early, allowing you to fix them with the right filter or treatment.
Want to know what’s in your water? Schedule a water tasting with RedBird Water today. You’ll get to try fresh, clean water and learn how to keep your family’s water safe. Book your tasting now!