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Microorganisms |
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Contaminant |
Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water |
Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water |
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Cryptosporidium |
Human and fecal animal waste |
Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) |
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Giardia lamblia |
Human and animal fecal waste |
Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) |
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Heterotrophic plate count |
HPC measures a range of bacteria that are naturally present in the environment |
HPC has no health effects; it is an analytic method used to measure the variety of bacteria that are common in water. The lower the concentration of bacteria in drinking water, the better maintained the water system is. |
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Legionella |
Found naturally in water; multiplies in heating systems |
Legionnaire's Disease, a type of pneumonia |
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Total Coliforms (including fecal coliform and E. Coli) |
Coliforms are naturally present in the environment; as well as feces; fecal coliforms and E. coli only come from human and animal fecal waste. |
Not a health threat in itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present |
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Turbidity |
Soil runoff |
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. It is used to indicate water quality and filtration effectiveness (e.g., whether disease-causing organisms are present). Higher turbidity levels are often associated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, parasites and some bacteria. These organisms can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. |
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Viruses (enteric) |
Human and animal fecal waste |
Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) |
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Disinfection Byproducts |
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Contaminant |
Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water |
Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water |
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Bromate |
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection |
Increased risk of cancer |
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Chlorite |
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection |
Anemia; infants & young children: nervous system effects |
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Haloacetic acids (HAA5) |
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection |
Increased risk of cancer |
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Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) |
Byproduct of drinking water disinfection |
Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer |
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Disinfectants |
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Contaminant |
Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water |
Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water |
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Chloramines (as Cl2) |
Water additive used to control microbes |
Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort, anemia |
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Chlorine (as Cl2) |
Water additive used to control microbes |
Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort |
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Chlorine dioxide (as ClO2) |
Water additive used to control microbes |
Anemia; infants & young children: nervous system effects |
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Inorganic Chemicals |
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Contaminant |
Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water |
Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water |
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Antimony |
Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder |
Increase in blood cholesterol; decrease in blood sugar |
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Arsenic |
Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards, runoff from glass & electronicsproduction wastes |
Skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may have increased risk of getting cancer |
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Asbestos |
Decay of asbestos cement in water mains; erosion of natural deposits |
Increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps |
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Barium |
Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits |
Increase in blood pressure |
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Beryllium |
Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries |
Intestinal lesions |
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Cadmium |
Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints |
Kidney damage |
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Chromium (total) |
Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits |
Allergic dermatitis |
