Urbana City PWS

Sources of municipal water include both tap water and bottled water derived from rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land surfaces or through soil, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive materials. Water can also pick up substances resulting from animal presence or human activity.

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 like salts and metals occurring naturally or from urban runoff, industrial wastewater, oil/gas production, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, and waste systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining

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. All water sources, including bottled water, may reasonably contain small amounts of some contaminants, which 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 (1-800-426-4791).

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