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Water
Quality Regulations
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to
drink, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the
California Department of Health Services (DHS) prescribe
regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water
provided by public water systems.
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| What
You Should Know About Tap Water Quality
Except for sodium content, flavor or convenience,
there is no need to buy bottled water for health
reasons. About half of all bottled water is just
repackaged municipal water. In general, tap water
standards are more strict, although in California, the
State requires bottled water to meet tap water
standards. And, of course, tap water is a bargain at
only a fraction of a penny per gallon.
"Tap water costs less and
is at least as safe as bottled water"
UCLA Institute of the Environment, Bottled Water,
2000, page 11
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Water
In The Environment
Sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled
water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds,
reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over
the surface of the land or through the ground, it
dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some
cases, radioactive material, and can pick up
substances resulting from the presence of animals or
from human activity. Contaminants that may be present
in source water include: |
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Microbial contaminants, such as viruses
and bacteria, that may come from sewage treatment plants,
septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and
wildlife.
Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, that can
be naturally occurring or result from urban storm water
runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil
and gas production,
mining, or farming.
Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety
of sources such as agriculture, urban storm water runoff,
and residential uses.
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Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and
volatile organic chemicals, that are by-products of
industrial processes and petroleum production and can also
come from gas stations, urban storm water runoff, and septic
systems.
Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally
occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and
mining activities.
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When To
Seek Health Care Advice
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in
drinking water than the general population. Immuno-comprised
persons such as persons with cancer who are undergoing
chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants,
people with HIV/AIDS or other immune-system disorders, some
elderly, and infants can be particularly at risk from
infections. These people should seek advice about
drinking water from their health care providers.
EPA/Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines on
appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by
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cryptosporidium
and other microbial contaminants are available by calling
the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
EPA
Hotline
Drking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be
expected to contain at least small amounts of some
contaminants. The presence of contiminants does not
necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk.
More information about contaminants and potential health
effects can be obtained by calling the EPA's Safe Drinking
Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. |
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