Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution, unlike pollution from industrial and sewage treatment plants, comes from many diffuse sources. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and ground waters.
Once polluted runoff enters our water resources, it can be very difficult and expensive to clean up. Each of us can take actions …
Drinking Water Treatment – Distillation
EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Some heavy metals, dissolved solids, some bacteria and viruses, inorganic materials such as nitrate, sodium, fluoride, and sulfate, and some toxic organic chemicals.
NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Most volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and some bacteria.
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Distillation
Distillation is …
Questions to Ask Before You Buy A Water Treatment System
Drinking Water Treatment – Chlorination
Chlorination may be effective in removing pathogens, including certain viruses and bacteria, from your well water system.EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Pathogens, including certain viruses and bacteria.
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Protect your drinking water well from going dry
When dry or drought conditions exist, water conservation measures could reduce the likelihood of your well going dry.
If your drinking water well goes dry, you need to consider local conditions affecting your well. Is there a drought that is worse than usual? Has this happened during other droughts? Are your neighbors experiencing similar problems? Have you observed other changes in your well, such as changes in taste or smell of the water? Is there a new industrial, commercial, or …
Drinking Water Treatment – Cation Exchange Units
Drinking Water Treatment – Anion Exchange Units
Drinking Water Treatment – Aeration
EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Aeration water treatment is effective for management of dissolved gases such as radon, carbon dioxide, some taste and odor problems such as methane, and hydrogen sulfide, as well as volatile organic compounds, like MTBE or industrial solvents. It is also effective in precipitating dissolved iron and manganese. Aeration raises the pH of water.
NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Aeration is not effective for removal of heavy metals, or pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms like bacteria and viruses.
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Testing Recommendations for Private Drinking Water Wells
While many private water systems provide water that is safe and of good quality, it is not uncommon to have one or more water quality problems. Some such as iron or hydrogen sulfide are quite noticeable. Others, particularly those that are health concerns such as nitrate and pesticides, often require testing to detect.
Unlike public water systems, private well owners in most states are not required to regularly test their wells or correct water quality problems. It is each individual …
Selecting a Home Water Treatment System
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