Pollutants
Contaminants
Aluminum
Lead
Copper
Arsenic
MTBE
Pesticides
Nitrates
Chlorine byproducts (THM’s)
Coliform bacteria
Giardia lambia
Cryptosporidium
Source
Water treatment
Water pipes
Pipe corrosion, Acid mine drainage
Naturally occurring, Mine tailings
Gasoline additive
Crop runoff
Fertilizers, pesticides
Disinfectant
Soil or vegetation
Sewage discharge
Sewage or animal waste
Concerns
Alzheimer’s, nervous system damage
Nerve or brain damage
Anemia, digestive disturbance
Even 50 parts per billion can cause cancer
Suspected carcinogen
Variety of serious health effects, incl. cancer, nervous system and liver damage
Blue baby syndrome, causes the blood not to retain oxygen, gastric conditions, cancer
Bladder and rectal cancer, hardens arteries
Variety of illnesses, including gastrointestinal distress
Giardiasis, a disease accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and weight loss
Diarrhea, headaches, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting and low fever