I'm doing a project at school and need to get 2 pages on notes What is in our Drinking water?

Answer 1

Well, the good things in drinking water, aside from the water, are iron and other minerals such as calcium, magnesium, etc. The bad things in our water could be contaminants such as arsenic and nitrates. Look up on the EPA's drinking water page. Lots of information there.

Answer 2

If you are speaking of city water there are a number of chemicals put in the drinking water as treatments. One is chlorine as a sort of purifier to kill bacteria. Next is fluoride for peoples teeth, tho it isn't suppose to be ingested. Some chemicals are leached into the drinking water by spraying insecticides and pesticides around the water treatment plant. Lead and Arsenic can be found in city water as well. Nitrates in the soil as a result from the farmers find their way into the water table. The city's drinking water isn't the safest for us.
We will do better to filter our drinking water.
Don't drink mineral water because you could build up the wrong type of minerals in your body forming stones or spurs.
Do not drink distilled water as it will leach out the vitamins & minerals in your body.

Answer 3

You can always call something like the your local chamber of commerce where they might be able to give you the number to your water company. Also, call different cities around you. I think it would be pretty cool to do over the phone interviews with some one in charge. If you explain to them youre a student trying to get some info. im sure theyll be glad to help. you can ask them for the exact levels of each minerals, chlorine, etc. Plus, Im sure by talking to them theyll give you some more cool facts that you wouldnt have thougth about including in your report. Ive interviewed people of the phone and it always made a good report. Every person explains things different so you can get alot of info. Plus, your teacher will like the fact you went to extra length for your project. good luck.

Answer 4

Microbes ~ Radionuclides ~ Inorganics ~ Volatile Organics ~ Synthetic

Organics ~ Disinfectants ~ Disinfection Byproducts ~ MTBE ~ Health Advisories

Microbes Coliform bacteria

are common in the environment and are generally not harmful. However, the presence of these bacteria in drinking water is usually a result of a problem with the treatment system or the pipes which distribute water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with germs that can cause disease.

Fecal Coliform and E coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms.

Turbidity has no health effects. However, turbidity can interfere with disinfection and provide a medium for microbial growth. Turbidity may indicate the presence of disease causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.

Cryptosporidium is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. It causes cryptosporidiosis, a mild gastrointestinal disease. However, the disease can be severe or fatal for people with severely weakened immune systems. EPA and CDC have prepared advice for those with severely compromised immune systems who are concerned about Cryptosporidium.

Giardia lamblia is a parasite that enters lakes and rivers through sewage and animal waste. It causes gastrointestinal illness (e.g. diarrhea, vomiting, cramps).

OR TRY THIS LIST

Contaminant MCLG1
(mg/L)2 MCL or TT1
(mg/L)2 Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of Water Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water
Cryptosporidium (pdf file) zero
TT 3
Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps)
Human and fecal animal waste

Giardia lamblia zero
TT3
Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps)
Human and animal fecal waste

Heterotrophic plate count n/a
TT3
HPC has no health effects; it is an analytic method used to measure the variety of bacteria that are common in water. The lower the concentration of bacteria in drinking water, the better maintained the water system is.
HPC measures a range of bacteria that are naturally present in the environment

Legionella zero
TT3
Legionnaire's Disease, a type of pneumonia
Found naturally in water; multiplies in heating systems

Total Coliforms (including fecal coliform and E. Coli) zero
5.0%4
Not a health threat in itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present5
Coliforms are naturally present in the environment; as well as feces; fecal coliforms and E. coli only come from human and animal fecal waste.

Turbidity n/a
TT3
Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. It is used to indicate water quality and filtration effectiveness (e.g., whether disease-causing organisms are present). Higher turbidity levels are often associated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, parasites and some bacteria. These organisms can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches.
Soil runoff

Viruses (enteric) zero
TT3
Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps)
Human and animal fecal waste

HOPE THIS HELPS...