Lincolnwood

Sources of tap water (both municipal 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 also potentially collecting substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

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

Municipal water, including bottled varieties, typically contains small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For detailed information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

To ensure tap water safety, the EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water to provide equal public health protection. Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population, including those with compromised immune systems (cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, HIV/AIDS patients), some elderly individuals, and infants. These individuals should seek advice about water consumption from healthcare providers.

If present, elevated lead levels can cause serious health concerns, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. We cannot control the materials used in plumbing components. To minimize lead exposure when water has been sitting for several hours, flush your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead content, consider having your water tested. Information on lead in tap water is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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