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Understanding Drinking Water Contamination

Understanding Drinking Water Contamination. Abigail F. Cantor, P.E., Chemical Engineer Process Research Solutions, LLC Madison, WI. A guide through the complex world of chemical and microbiological contamination of drinking water. “Can you test my water?”.

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Understanding Drinking Water Contamination

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  1. Understanding Drinking Water Contamination Abigail F. Cantor, P.E., Chemical Engineer Process Research Solutions, LLC Madison, WI

  2. A guide through the complex world of chemical and microbiological contamination of drinking water

  3. “Can you test my water?”

  4. There are more than 90 contaminants in the national primary drinking water regulations. There are 14 contaminants listed in the national secondary drinking water regulations. And then there is the Candidate Contaminant List where more contaminants are considered for regulation.

  5. Drinking Water Regulations

  6. Microorganisms • Disinfectants • Disinfection Byproducts • Inorganic Chemicals • Organic Chemicals • Radionuclides Categories of Primary Drinking Water Contaminants Covered by US EPA Regulations

  7. Microorganisms • Cryptosporidium • Giardia lamblia • Legionella • Total Coliforms • Viruses, enteric

  8. Total Coliforms “Indicator” of waterborne disease from human sewage

  9. Problem with Focus on Total Coliforms • Neglects presence of non-pathogenic microorganisms: • They can reduce the availability of disinfection to fight pathogens, • elevate metals concentrations in the water, • and threaten the integrity of infrastructure.

  10. Viruses A WI study has found a correlation between viruses in drinking water and common illnesses.

  11. Disinfection Must disinfect water! • Types of disinfectants: • Chlorine gas or sodium hypochlorite • Chloramines • Chlorine dioxide

  12. Disinfection By-products • Bromate • Chlorite • Haloacetic acids • Trihalomethanes

  13. Inorganic Chemicals • Antimony • Arsenic • Asbestos • Barium • Beryllium • Cadmium • Chromium • Copper • Cyanide • Fluoride • Lead • Mercury • Nitrate • Nitrite • Selenium • Thallium

  14. Lead and Copper Transferred into water from piping materials “The Lead and Copper Rule” being re-written now! Lots of dilemmas and misinformation.

  15. Organic Chemicals Acryamide to Xylenes

  16. Radionuclides • Alpha particles • Beta particles, etc. • Radium 226+228 • Uranium

  17. Secondary Drinking Water Contaminants • Aluminum • Chloride • Color • Copper • Fluoride • Foaming agents • Iron • Manganese • Odor • pH • Silver • Sulfate • Total Dissolved Solids • Zinc

  18. Problem with Secondary Drinking Water Contaminants Many secondary contaminants have now been found to be more than just a nuisance. • Aluminum • Iron • Manganese • …

  19. How to inform yourself about drinking water contamination? There’s a lot of confusing information, dilemmas, emerging issues, knowledge gaps, and misinformation.

  20. For the moment, ask me about water… • Private wells • Metals in residential water • Modern plumbing issues • Home water treatment • Bottled water • Local issues in water system • … Contact: Abigail Cantor, P.E.; Process Research Solutions, LLC; info@processresearch.net

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