Drinking water sources
Groundwater and surface water are sources of drinking water. Surface water can be from rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Groundwater exists in aquifers below the ground surface. Your water can come from groundwater, surface water or both.
Public Drinking Water Systems
Drinking water comes from privately owned groundwater wells or public drinking water systems.Approximately 10 percent of Americans or about 13 million households get their water from private wells. Approximately 90 percent of Americans get water from public drinking water systems which can be privately or publically owned.Contact your local water service provider or water company to learn more about your water.
Facts about public drinking systems
1. Did you know that public drinking water systems are regulated and must comply with environmental regulations and laws such as the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)?
2. Did you know that a water service provider or water company that regularly serves an average of 25 individuals or more daily, for at least 60 days out of the year, or has at least 15 service connections is a public drinking water system?
Is my water safe?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA regulates public drinking water systems. As mentioned above, public drinking water systems must comply with SDWA. This means that the water you receive from a public drinking water system must comply with certain water quality standards. Furthermore, your water service provider tests the water to determine the concentration of the regulated contaminants before distribution to the community. A consumer confidence report (discussed further in this blog), summarizes this information. Moreover, water treatment removes and reduces common contaminants to regulatory levels, so it’s safe.
EPA does not regulate water from a private well. The water from a private well does not have to comply with the SDWA. Unfortunately, EPA reports that drinking water for approximately 98,000 public schools and 500,000 childcare facilities are not regulated under SDWA. Actually, here is an opportunity for you to find out whether the public school or childcare facility in your neighborhood or community gets water from a private well or public drinking water system. To learn more, go to the EPA website.
Water Quality: Potential Contaminants in Water
Potential contaminants in drinking water sources include microbes and various chemicals, including known pollutants. Fecal Coliform and E. Coli are common microbes in untreated water. Fertilizers, leaking sewer lines and septic tanks can contaminate drinking water resources with nitrates and nitrites. Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal and a common contaminant of drinking water. Organic and synthetic chemicals can pollute water as discussed below.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, (BTEX) are common volatile organic compounds that exist in gasoline. Underground storage tanks (USTs) store gasoline we use to fuel cars, trucks and other vehicles. Consequently, when gasoline tanks leak, BTEX and other hydrocarbons in gasoline eventually pollute groundwater. MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), a fuel additive in gasoline is another contaminant in groundwater. MTBE is highly soluble in water and distributes quickly, polluting the water supply.
Chlorinated Solvents
Chlorinated solvents used in dry cleaning and manufacturing operations have been detected in groundwater. They are environmentally persistent and do not easily degrade. Perchloroethylene (PCE), is a common chlorinated solvent for dry cleaning clothing. Trichloroethene (TCE) and trichloroethane (TCA) are chlorinated solvents used for decades as degreasers to clean metal parts. Metal parts are placed inside a vapor degreaser (a closed heated tank). The solvent vapor condenses onto the cool metal part and removes oils and greases without rinsing with water or drying. Finally, the part is clean and almost dry when removed from the degreaser. It was a very effective method for cleaning and degreasing parts. However, TCE and TCA were phased out because they are harmful and bad for the environment. Many drinking water aquifers are contaminated with chlorinated solvents.
PFOA and PFOS: Synthetic chemicals
Synthetic chemicals used in many consumer products can end up contaminating drinking water. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), are synthetic chemicals recently detected in drinking water. However, they have been contaminating drinking water in the United States and around the world for decades. They present a huge risk to public health, potentially causing high cholesterol, thyroid disease, weight gain, and decreased fertility. PFOA was the main chemical for manufacturing Teflon also known as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PFOA was also the chemical for waterproofing materials such as textiles and electrical wire casing. PFOS was the main chemical for producing Scotchgard stain repellants, surface coatings for carpets and furniture, and waterproofing of apparel and paper goods. To learn more about these chemicals, go to the EPAs webpage.
Consumer Confidence Report
Your water service provider must test the water to identify all of the chemicals, bacteria, and other contaminants to ensure your drinking water is safe. This information is reported inside a water quality report, also known as a Consumer Confidence Report. If your water comes from a private well you may have to test the water yourself. Collect a water sample from the well. Send the sample to a certified laboratory for analysis.
Water Quality: At the faucet or tap
Water quality can be good at the source but can degrade after traveling through the network of pipes to reach your faucet. Lead from solder in pipes and fittings can leach into your water and impact its quality. Corrosion of lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures are the primary sources of lead in drinking water. Lead pipes were typically found in older cities and homes built before 1986. Brass or chrome-plated brass faucets purchased prior to 1997 contain up to 8 percent lead. Testing your water is the best way to know if your water is safe to use. Collect a water sample and send it to a certified laboratory.
If you have further questions about your drinking water, you can contact the US EPA or go to their Safe Drinking Water Information website.
Sources of Water Pollution
Major sources of water pollution come from domestic, industrial and agricultural wastes.
Storm drain 
Domestic Sources
Domestic wastewater and municipal sewage are potential sources of water pollution. Municipal sewage contains human waste products, detergents, soaps, microplastics, hydrocarbons, and pharmaceutics. Hazardous substances and harsh chemicals poured down the drain or flushed down the toilet, will contaminate domestic wastewater and municipal sewage. A sewage treatment plant removes most of the solids and bacteria before it discharges the treated wastewater into waterways and the oceans. However, toxic chemicals from hazardous substances such as automotive fluids, oils, paints, and other hazardous products, remain and pollute the water supply. It is important to note, that the wastewater treatment facility does not remove these chemicals from domestic wastewater and municipal sewage.
Industrial Sources
Manufacturing of chemicals, textiles, consumer products, and paper goods generates industrial wastes and wastewaters. Additional sources of industrial wastes come from oil refining and gas production, food processing, and mining operations. Wastes generated by these industries are generally hazardous. The proper management of hazardous wastes (i.e., compliance with environmental hazardous waste regulations and permits) minimizes spills and releases to the environment.
Industrial operations and processes use chemical products and hazardous materials for the manufacturing and production of products, or maintenance of equipment, machinery, and vehicles. Chemicals and hazardous materials are stored in containers, drums, aboveground tanks, and underground tanks. The proper management of hazardous materials (i.e., compliance with environmental regulations and permits) and maintenance of equipment minimizes spills and releases to the environment.
Discharges and releases of untreated wastes and wastewater, or hazardous materials and chemicals pollute the water supply. Releases of hazardous wastes and materials into the environment occur from accidents, equipment failures, leaking underground storage tanks, explosions, negligence, or improper waste and material management (eg. noncompliance with environmental regulations). Leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) are the source of many pollutants in drinking water, such as chlorinated solvents, fuels, and various other industrial chemicals. Most industrial facilities manage their hazardous materials and wastes to prevent them from contaminating the environment, including the water supply.
Agricultural Sources
Industrial agriculture is a major source of water pollution. Pesticides, fertilizers, and farm animal wastes can pollute the water supply by leaching into groundwater or through runoff from irrigation systems or stormwater. Nitrogen and phosphorus are chemical nutrients. They are components of synthetic fertilizers and found in manure. Nitrogen forms into nitrates and nitrites and pollutants water. Nitrates deplete the amount of dissolved oxygen in surface water, killing fish and aquatic wildlife. Nitrates leach into the ground and contaminate drinking water. High levels of nitrates in drinking water potentially contribute to blue baby syndrome (known as methemoglobinemia) which causes death in infants. Pesticides contain many highly toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Drinking water contaminated with pesticides harms people and can kill animals and wildlife.
How to protect our water
Manage harmful household products
Do not dispose of in toilets or drains
- Make sure you and your family do not flush or pour harmful household products down the toilet or drain.
- Harsh household chemical products that are hazardous include various types of polish (furniture, silver, brass, nail), paints, chemical cleaners, motor oils and fluids, solvents (oil or petroleum-based liquids such as paint thinner), pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and other toxic materials.
- Your sewage goes to a waste treatment plant to remove solids, sewage, and bacteria. It does not remove hazardous chemicals from household products.
- Treated wastewater from the treatment plant typically discharges into an ocean, river, lake or some other water resource.
- Toxic chemicals and pharmaceuticals remain in the treated wastewater and will contaminate and pollute water resources.
- Return unused pharmaceuticals to your local pharmacy or drug store.
- Take unused hazardous products that are no longer used to your community household hazardous waste collection center.
- Most municipalities offer household hazardous waste collection services throughout the year.
Prevent from polluting the environment
- Prevent household chemical products from spilling onto the ground.
- Clean up spills immediately to prevent them from spreading further.
- This action prevents your friends, family, and pets from slipping or getting sick from eating, touching or contacting the material.
- This action prevents these products from flowing down the curb and entering a storm drain, nearby waterway or private drinking water well.
- Stormwater or water collected in a storm drain discharges into an ocean, river, or lake without being treated.
- If the stormwater becomes polluted from a household product, then the water in the ocean, river, or lake becomes polluted.
- This action prevents household products from contaminating the soil.
- Contaminants in the soil can move deeper into the soil and eventually contaminate groundwater that exists in aquifers below the ground surface.
- Groundwater or private wells are a source of drinking water for many people.
Storage of Household Chemical Products
- Keep and store housed chemical products in closed containers inside a cabinet or on a shelf.
- After opening a container, always close the cap or lid tightly. Spills occur when an open container falls or gets knocked over.
- Make sure the container is in good condition and not leaking.
- Containers should be labeled with a name and information about the product.
- Read the label for other storage requirements to keep you and your family safe.
- Make sure you store incompatible chemical products separately to prevent them from reacting with each other.
- Store products containing bleach separate from products containing ammonia (eg. window cleaner). If these two products mix, they will form chloramine vapor, which is poisonous.
Clean Up Spills and Repair Leaks
- Repair equipment and vehicles that leak or drip oils and fluids onto the ground or floor.
- Replace plumbing systems and pipes that show signs of rust or corrosion.
- Clean up spills or materials that leaked immediately to prevent them from spreading further or causing harm to your friends, family, and pets.
Protect Stormwater and Drinking Water Sources
- Sweeping and picking up garden waste (leaves) and trash help protect our water from pollution.
- Stormwater runoff from rain, irrigation water, sprinklers, washing cars, rinsing equipment or patios can pick up and carry pollutants and trash that are present on the ground surface.
- This water carrying the leaves, trash, and other contaminants eventually flows into a storm drain, lake, river or ocean and contaminates the water supply.
- Reduce runoff: Replace concrete and nonporous paving with gravel or porous pavers to enables water to soak into the ground that would otherwise end up as runoff and enter into a storm drain. This reduces the risk of flooding.
- Capture stormwater in rain barrels or other containers. Use the water to irrigate your lawn or yard.
- Never store trash, garden waste, or chemicals near a storm drain or drinking water well. Keep areas near storm drains and drinking water wells clean and free of debris.
Use More Sustainable Products
- Replace toxic fertilizers with more sustainable less hazardous fertilizers.
- Replace toxic pesticides with less hazardous alternative products
- Use more sustainable and less hazardous cleaning products at home.
Communicate what you know.
It’s important to share the information you learn about water with others in your community. Your friends, classmates, teachers and members of the community should know where your water comes from and if it is safe. Clean, safe drinking water is important to all humans, plants, and animals. We must be the champions that protect and keep water safe. Water can’t protect itself.
Be like Rainey Water and help him reduce water pollution. He has a list of projects that can help you be a superhero like him.