EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Dissolved iron and manganese, and hydrogen sulfide.
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Potassium permanganate is a point-of-entry treatment method that oxidizes dissolved iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide into solid particles that are …
Health effects related to contaminants in drinking water can be divided into two categories: those that cause acute effects and those that cause chronic effects.
Acute effects are usually seen within a short time after exposure to a substance. Acute effects may result from water containing pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, or they may result from a single large exposure to a chemical contaminant. Acute health effects are generally reversible as long as the contaminant of …
EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Pathogenic (disease-causing) organisms including bacteria and viruses, phenols, some color, taste and odor problems, iron and manganese, and turbidity.
NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Large cysts and some other large organisms, inorganic chemicals, and heavy metals.
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Many rural residents use an on-site wastewater treatment system (an individual septic system) for treatment and disposal of wastewater, or sewage. Household wastewater may contain contaminants such as disease-causing bacteria, infectious viruses, household chemicals, and excess nutrients. A properly designed, installed, and maintained septic treatment system will reduce the risk of polluting the drinking water supply with these contaminants.
State and local codes specify how on-site wastewater treatment systems must be designed, installed, and maintained. A septic tank and …
EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Small particles and suspended solids such as ferric iron, clay, silt and sand, and some pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, and colloids (suspended matter).
NOT EFFECTIVE AGAINST: Any dissolved contaminants such as nitrate, dissolved iron, sodium, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
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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 …
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 is …
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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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 …
