What are the 5 main contaminants of water?

What are the 5 main contaminants of water?

The Five Most Common Contaminants Found in Drinking Water

• Nitrates.
• Arsenic.
• Microorganisms, Bacteria, and Viruses.
• Aluminum.
• Fluoride.
• What Can Be Done About Contaminants in Tap Water?
• Frequently Asked Questions.

What are the four main types classes of contaminants that are found in drinking water?

The 4 Types of Contaminants in Water

• INORGANIC MINERALS. This group of contaminants includes the minerals and toxic metals.
• RADIOACTIVE MINERALS. This group is really a subset of the first group and can include uranium, plutonium and radium.
• ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS.
• BIOLOGICAL.

What are the 6 types of contaminants that are found in water?

But before you wander off there, I’ll give you a breakdown of the six main contaminant categories here.

• Microorganisms. These are what you think they are.
• Disinfection Byproducts.
• Disinfectants.
• Inorganic Chemicals.
• Organic Chemicals.
• Radionuclides.

What are some common contaminants in water?

Some common waterborne contaminants include:

• Aluminum.
• Ammonia.
• Arsenic.
• Barium.
• Cadmium.
• Chloramine.
• Chromium.
• Copper.

What are 2 main types of contaminants in water?

Sources of Chemical Contaminants Surface water and groundwater dissolve many chemical substances as they flow to the ocean. These can include salt and toxic chemicals (toxins).

What is a water contaminant?

The Safe Drinking Water Act defines the term “contaminant” as meaning any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water. Some drinking water contaminants may be harmful if consumed at certain levels in drinking water while others may be harmless.

What are the most common types of water contamination?

Chemical pollution Chemicals are the most common type of water contaminants. They affect both surface and underground water bodies. Industries and farming activities are the leading cause. Solvents and metals used in industries can pollute rivers and lakes.

What are the most common contaminants?

Common Waterborne Contaminants

• Lead.
• Nitrates/Nitrites.
• Mercury.
• Perchlorate.
• Radium.
• Selenium.
• Silver.
• Uranium.

What is water contamination?

There are many sources of water contamination, including naturally occurring chemicals and minerals (for example, arsenic, radon, uranium), local land use practices (fertilizers, pesticides, concentrated feeding operations), manufacturing processes, and sewer overflows or wastewater releases.

What are types of contaminated water?

What is contaminated water? According to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), water can be contaminated by agricultural pollution, nutrient pollution, sewage and wastewater, oil pollution, radioactive substances and a range of other materials.

Which is an example of a contaminant in water?

Some examples of contaminants that may be found in our waterways include: metals. pesticides. petroleum by-products. anti-fouling paints. bacteria and.

What are the effects of drinking water contaminants?

The drinking water contaminants that can have chronic effects include chemicals (such as disinfection byproducts, solvents and pesticides), radionuclides (such as radium), and minerals (such as arsenic). Examples of these chronic effects include cancer, liver or kidney problems, or reproductive difficulties.

What are the most common sources of groundwater contamination?

Found in low concentrations in rocks, coal, and petroleum and enters the groundwater and surface water when dissolved by acidic waters. May enter the environment from industrial discharge, mining waste, metal plating, water pipes, batteries, paints and pigments, plastic stabilizers, and landfill leachate.

What causes the contamination of the water table?

Contaminants can be human-induced, as from leaking fuel tanks or toxic chemical spills. Pesticides and fertilizers applied to lawns and crops can accumulate and migrate to the water table.