City of North Lauderdale

Sources of municipal water (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land surfaces or through underground layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, while potentially collecting substances from animal presence or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic substances (salts, metals) occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, industrial discharge, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical compounds, including synthetic and volatile organics from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban stormwater, and septic systems
• Radioactive substances that may be naturally occurring or result from oil/gas production and mining

The EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure tap water safety. Similarly, FDA regulations set limits for bottled water contaminants to provide equivalent public health protection. All water sources, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants, which doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For additional information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

The CDC provides comprehensive resources about municipal water safety, helping North Lauderdale residents understand potential health impacts from various contaminants. Their guidance includes information about vulnerable populations, proper testing procedures, and when to consider additional home filtration. The CDC also offers emergency preparedness recommendations for water safety during natural disasters or system failures that might affect North Lauderdale's water supply.