Maple Shade Water Department

The U.S. EPA establishes regulations that limit contaminant levels in public water systems to ensure tap water safety. Similarly, the FDA sets limits for bottled water contaminants to provide comparable public health protection. All municipal water, including bottled varieties, can reasonably be expected to contain at least trace amounts of certain contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, sometimes radioactive materials, and substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Microbial Contaminants: Viruses and bacteria from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, or wildlife
• Inorganic Contaminants: Salts and metals occurring naturally or resulting from urban runoff, industrial/domestic wastewater, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and Herbicides: From agricultural sources, urban stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic Chemical Contaminants: Synthetic and volatile organics from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive Contaminants: Naturally occurring or resulting from oil/gas production and mining

For additional information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the U.S. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

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