Purdue University Water Works

SOURCES OF MUNICIPAL WATER: The sources of municipal water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and groundwater wells. As water travels across land surfaces or through soil layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and radioactive materials and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

Municipal water, including bottled varieties, may reasonably contain small amounts of certain contaminants that might affect taste, color, or odor. However, the presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791.

Contaminants potentially present in source water include:

• Microbial contaminants (viruses, bacteria) from sewage facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants (salts, metals) from natural sources, urban runoff, wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic compounds, from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining activities

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 equivalent public health protection.

Some individuals may be more vulnerable to water contaminants than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons—cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune disorders, and some elderly and infants—may face increased infection risks. These individuals should seek advice from healthcare providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on reducing infection risk from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800) 426-4791.

LEAD AND COPPER INFORMATION: The following tables contain scientific terms and measurements that may require explanation. Action Level Goal (ALG) is the contaminant level in drinking water below which no known health risk exists, allowing for a safety margin. Action Level (AL) is the contaminant concentration which, if exceeded, triggers required treatment or other water system requirements.

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials and components in service lines and home plumbing. While we provide high-quality water, we cannot control the materials used in plumbing components. When water sits unused for several hours, minimize potential lead exposure by running your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in drinking water, testing methods, and exposure reduction steps is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

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