Type |
Contaminant |
Possible Effect |
Source |
|
Microbiological |
Coliform and other
bacteria |
Dysentery, Typhoid fever, and
Cholera |
Human and Animal fecal
matter |
|
Giardia lambia |
Gastroenteric
disease |
Human and Animal fecal
matter |
|
Legionella |
Legionnaire's
disease |
Surface waters, Water
heaters |
|
Turbidity |
Interferes with disinfection,
filtration |
Erosion, Soil runoff and
discharges |
|
Inorganic Chemicals |
Asbestos |
Cancer |
Asbestos cement in water
systems
|
|
Arsenic |
Skin and Nervous system
toxicity |
Pesticide, Industrial Waste,
Smelting |
|
Barium |
Circulatory system
effects |
Epoxy sealants, Spent
coal |
|
Cadmium |
Kidney effects |
Batteries,
Paints |
|
Fluoride |
Skeletal and Dental
damage |
Fluoridated water, Fertilizer,
Aluminum |
|
Lead |
Kidney and Nervous system
damage |
Lead pipe and Lead-based
solder |
|
Mercury |
Kidney and Nervous system
disorders |
Crop runoff,
Batteries |
|
Nitrate |
Blue baby syndrome
(methemoglovinemia) |
fertilizer, Sewage, Animal
waste |
|
Selenium |
Liver damage |
Smelting, Coal/Oil
combustion |
|
Organic Chemicals |
Benzene |
Cancer |
Fuel, Drugs, Paint,
Pesticides |
|
Carbon
Tetrachloride |
Cancer |
Cleaning
Solvents |
|
Endrin |
Liver,Kidney and Heart
damage |
Pesticide on insects, rodents and
birds |
|
Lindane |
Liver, Kidney, Nervous, Immune
and Circulatory System damage |
Insecticide on cattle, cotton and
soybeans |
|
Methoxychlor |
Growth, Liver, Kidney, Nerve
effects |
Insecticide for fruits, livestock
and pets |
|
Radon |
Cancer |
Radionuclides |
|
Total
Trihalomethanes |
Cancer |
Surface water treated with
Chlorine |
|
Toxaphene |
Cancer |
Insecticide on cattle, cotton and
soybeans |
|
Tetrachloroethyle
ne |
Cancer |
Dry cleaning materials waste,
Solvents |
|
Vinyl
Chloride |
Cancer |
PVC pipe; Solvent
breakdown |