|
Components
Found in Drinking Water
|
Effects
on Health
|
Sources
|
Comments
|
Cost
of Test
(if purchased individually)
|
| Bacteria |
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Coliform Bacteria & E. Coli
|
Possible
indicator of Typhoid, Cholera, infectious Hepatitius, Dysentery,
and Giardia |
Soil
or Human and animal wastes |
Probability
of presence of more serious pathogens is much higher when
coliforms are present. Must be in sterile container. |
|
| Trace Metals |
|
|
|
|
|
Lead
|
Lead
poisoning causes brain, kidney and liver damage - delays
mental and physical development/ No known nutrient value |
Paint,
dust, tap water, glazed pottery, and soil. Leaches from
pipes and brass alloy faucets |
Particularly
harmful to children. Tap water may contain more lead than
raw water due to the corrosion of pipes.Even brand new faucets
may contain lead. |
|
|
Copper
|
Gastrointestinal
tract irritation at high levels/ Nutrient at low levels |
Natural/industrial
deposits; wood preservatives, plumbing |
Gives
water a metallic taste and unpleasant odor. |
|
|
Sodium
|
May
cause high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease at
high levels/ Nutrient at low levels |
Natural
deposits, water softeners |
Softened
water contains higher sodium levels than non-softened water.
Municipal water is usually softened. |
|
|
Zinc
|
Nutrient/
May affect health GT 5 mg/l |
Natural
waters. Mining areas. Galvanized plumbing. |
Can
impart an undesirable taste to drinking water |
|
| Inorganic |
|
|
|
|
|
Fluoride
|
Pitting,
mottling and discoloration of teeth, salivation, vomiting
and nausea, paralysis and death in severe cases at high
levels |
Natural
deposits, fertilizer, aluminum industries, water additive |
In
moderation, fluoride protects against tooth decay. |
|
|
Nitrate
|
Poisoning
in adults; methemoglobullnemia (Blue Baby) in children at
high levels |
Animal
waste, fertilizer, natural deposits, septic tanks, sewage |
High
concentrations have been correlated with gastric cancer. |
|
|
Nitrite
|
Poisoning
in adults; methemoglobullnemia (Blue Baby) in children at
high levels |
Animal
waste, fertilizer, natural deposits, septic tanks, sewage |
High
concentrations have been correlated with gastric cancer. |
|
|
Sulfate
|
Nutrient
at low levels. At high levels, acts as laxative; may cause
abdominal pain, watery or bloody diarrhea, collapse |
Rainfall,
waste discharges, rock leachates, some manufacturing systems |
High
concentration may cause water to taste unusual. |
|
|
Iron
|
Nutrient/
High levels could affect infants suffering from measles
and possible health effects on individuals of Mediterranean
extraction. |
Leached
from soil or water pipes |
Metallic
taste, staining of laundry, sinks and dishes. |
|
|
Hardness
|
Nutrient |
Natural
deposits of calcium carbonate & magnesium |
May
form scale, affect taste, damage plumbing. |
|
|
Manganese
Hardness
|
Nutrient |
Natural
deposits |
Unpleasant
taste and odor. Staining of laundry black to brown color. |
|
| Other |
|
|
|
|
|
pH
|
See comments
|
All components
in water contribute to this factor.
|
If outside
limits may be corrosive to plumbing fixtures and cookware
|
|
|
Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS)
|
See comments
|
All soluble
components in water; salts, metals, organics.
|
General indicator
of water source composition. If too high or changes substantially,
may indicate problems. Affects life of water heaters.
|
|
|
Turbidity
|
See comments
|
Microbial
or chemical colloids in water
|
Measures
cloudiness of water/ may indicate problems if too high
|
|
Other
Tests
Not included in SWDA package |
|
|
|
|
|
Contaminant
|
Effects
on Health
|
Sources
|
Comments
|
Cost
|
|
Pesticide
Scan
|
Liver,
kidney, heart damage |
Pesticides,
insects, rodents |
Must
be in glass container |
$55-110
Call
for details
|
|
Herbicide
Scan
|
Cancer,
mammary gland tumors |
Runoff
from herbicide on corn, soybeans and other crops |
Must
be in glass container |
$55-110
Call
for details
|
|
VOCs
|
Many
are known carcinogens |
Common
chemicals used in industrial, commercial, agricultural,
and household activities |
Examples
are solvents used in paints, dry cleaning, degreasing, pesticides,
motor oil, and fumigants |
$157
Call
for details
|
|
Trihalomethanes
|
All
are considered potential human carcinogens |
Chlorinated
water supplies |
By-products
of disinfection with chlorine compounds. Potencially found
in most city water supplies |
$75
Call
for details
|
