City of Fredericksburg

GENERAL INFORMATION (Substances that may be present in tap water)

The sources of water (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials, and can absorb substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants including salts and metals that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from various sources including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that may occur naturally or result from oil/gas production activities

To ensure tap water safety, EPA establishes regulations limiting certain contaminants in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection.

All drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

The U.S. Office of Water (www.epa.gov/watrhome) and Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) websites provide extensive information on water resources, conservation, and public health. The Virginia Office of Drinking Water website (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/ODW) offers comprehensive information on water issues in our state.

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