Drinking Water Quality Analysis

The United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set drinking water standards in the Safe Drinking Water Act. This act set guidelines for 90 common groundwater contaminants. While the presence of some contaminants is expected, a maximum contaminant level set for each contaminant indicates the highest concentration allowed in drinking water. Laboratories use many analytical methods to analyze drinking water. If you wish to have your water analyzed, contact an environmental laboratory for information on costs, proper sampling and analytical methods to ensure a quality analysis.

Microorganisms

• The microorganisms listed in the Safe Drinking Water Act include cryptosporidium, giardia lamblia, heterotropic plate count, legionella, total coliforms (fecal coliform and E coli), turbidity and viruses. Most of these contaminants cause gastrointestinal illness. Legionella causes a type of pneumonia called legionnaire's disease. Turbidity and heterotropic plate count analysis will provide data about the possibility of harmful bacteria and organisms being present in the groundwater.

Disinfection Byproducts

• Disinfection byproducts in the drinking water supply come from the disinfection of the drinking water and supply wells. These byproducts include bromate, chlorite, haloacetic acids and total trihalomethanes. Bromate and haloacetic acids increase a person's cancer risk. Chlorite causes anemia and nervous system problems in infants and young children. Total trihalomethanes may cause liver, kidney and central nervous system problems as well as an increased cancer risk.

Disinfectants

• Disinfectants control the microbes in drinking water. However, too much of these components--chloramines, chlorine and chlorine dioxide--will cause health problems. A person exposed to too much chloramines and chlorine may suffer from nose and eye irritation and stomach problems. Chlorine dioxide causes anemia, as do chloramines. Infants and young children are susceptible to nervous system problems from too much exposure to chlorine dioxide.

Inorganic Chemicals

• Inorganic chemicals found in drinking water come from a variety of natural and manmade sources. These constituents include antimony, arsenic, asbestos, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, copper, cyanide, fluoride, lead, mercury, nitrate, nitrite, selenium and thallium. These inorganic chemicals can cause a variety of health problems from blood issues to increased cancer and organ damage risk. Lead in drinking water is one of the most highly publicized chemicals due to its adverse effect on children's ability to develop both mentally and physically.

Organic Chemicals

• The Safe Drinking Water Act regulates over 50 organic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds, pesticides, herbicides, dioxins and semi-volatile organic compounds. Prolonged exposure to excessive concentrations of these chemicals may cause negative health effects, including anemia, organ damage and increased cancer risk, among others. The source of many of these organic chemicals is industrial discharge or commercial uses.

Radionuclides

• Radionuclides, including alpha particles, beta particles and photon emitters, radium 226, radium 228 and uranium are present in the drinking water from the decay of natural deposits and minerals. These radionuclides may cause an increase in cancer from prolonged exposure to high concentrations. Uranium is also toxic to kidney function.

National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations

• The EPA also established National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations for several constituents, including aluminum, chloride, color, copper, corrosivity, fluorite, foaming agents, iron, manganese, odor, pH, silver, total dissolved solids and zinc. The secondary drinking water regulations are guidelines established for these constituents, which do not pose a health risk but rather have negative cosmetic effects on the drinking water supply. The secondary guidelines are not enforceable but are simply suggested guidelines for maintaining a high-quality water supply.