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EPA Drinking Water Standards

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EPA Drinking Water Standards Table of Contents Home water treatment facts ....................... pg.2 Advice for people with severely compromised immune systems (Sidebar) .............................. pg.2 Local water quality ........................................... pg.3 Cost and maintenance ..................................... pg.4 At-home solutions to water quality problems (Sidebar) ............................ pg.4 Performance ....................................................... pg.4 Point of use devices ........................................ pg.5 Point of entry devices .................................... pg.6 How filters work (Sidebar) ........................... pg.6 Certification ........................................................ pg.7 Contact information ......................................... pg.8 EPA registration of water filters (Sidebar) .................................... pg.8 Advice for people with sonal use, end-of-tap, under sink) severely compromised Home Water Treatment Facts filters that remove particles one shows how these levels compare with EPA’s drinking immune systems micrometer or less in diameter. water standards. Americans spend billions of dollars each year on home Filters that use reverse osmosis, Some people may wish to take those labeled as “absolute one water treatment units.According to the Water Quality Some contaminant levels remain constant throughout special precautions with the water micron filters,” or those labeled as Association, more than four out of 10 Americans use a the year, while others vary according to season, they drink. In particular, people certified by an American National weather, or from house to house. For example, lead with immune systems that are home water treatment unit.These units range from Standards Institute (ANSI) - typically occurs when it leaches from the lead pipes weakened by AIDS, chemothera- simple pitchers costing less than $20 to sophisticated accredited organization to py or transplant medications are reverse osmosis units costing hundreds of dollars. ANSI/NSF Standard 53 for “Cyst and solder that are in some homes. If you are con- more vulnerable to microbial con- Removal” provide the greatest cerned about a contaminant whose level may vary, taminants in drinking water such Some people use a home water treatment unit to assurance of removing consider getting your water tested (use a certified labo- as Cryptosporidium. improve the taste of their tap water. Others treat their Cryptosporidium. As with all filters, ratory for the most reliable results). Use this informa- water because of health concerns.While EPA does not follow the manufacturer’s instruc- tion to help decide on a home water treatment unit. Cryptosporidium is a microscopic endorse specific units, the Agency does set and tions for filter use and replace- parasite that lives in the intestine of enforce national standards for the tap water provided ment. If your water comes from a household well, EPA infected animals and humans. It by public water systems. recommends annual water testing for nitrates and col- passes in the stool in its dormant Use bottled water iform bacteria. In addition, check with your health depart- oocyst form.The oocyst is protect- Drinking water can reasonably be expected to contain ment or local water systems that use ground water for ed by an outer shell that allows it Check the label or call the bottler at least small amounts of some contaminants.As long information on contaminants of concern in your area. to survive outside the body for to find out how bottled water is long periods of time and makes it as those contaminants are at levels no higher than treated. The following bottled Armed with this specific information, you can deter- very resistant to chlorine-based EPA standards, the water is considered safe to drink water treatments protect against disinfectants. It occurs mainly in for healthy people. People with severely weakened Cryptosporidium: reverse osmosis, mine your purpose in buying a home water treatment surface water sources, such as immune systems or other specific health conditions, or distillation, ultraviolet light, or filtra- unit: to remove specific contaminants; to take extra lakes, streams and rivers. In healthy those concerned about specific contaminants present tion with an absolute one micron precautions because a household member has a adults,Cryptosporidium can cause ill- in local drinking water, may wish to further treat their filter.Bottled waters derived from compromised immune system; to improve the taste of ness,but for people with weakened water at home or purchase high quality bottled water. protected well and spring water the water, or some combination of these concerns. immune systems, it can cause sources are less likely to be con- severe illness and even death. Before purchasing a home water treatment unit, con- taminated by Cryptosporidium than sider local water quality, cost and maintenance of the those containing untreated munic- Those who wish to take extra unit, product performance, and certifications to make ipal drinking water from less pro- measures to avoid waterborne tected sources such as rivers and sure that the unit will meet your needs. cryptosporidiosis can bring their lakes. drinking water to a boil for a full minute. Boiling water is the Local water quality Those who choose to take these most effective way of killing precautions should remember Cryptosporidium.As an alterna- Begin by learning as much as possible about your tap that they can be exposed to tive to boiling water, people may water. If you haven’t already received it, contact your waterborne pathogens through take the following measures: local water supplier and ask for the annual water water used for brushing teeth, quality report (sometimes called a consumer confi- making ice cubes, and washing Use a point-of-use filter dence report).This report lists the levels of contami- fruits and vegetables – not just nants that have been detected in the water and through water they drink. Consider using point-of-use (per- 2 3 At-home solutions to At-home solutions to water quality problems Cost and Maintenance water quality problems into gases and may pose a risk when inhaled, such as when showering. A point-of-entry device can Improve taste Prices vary depending on type (pitcher, faucet filter, Kill microbes reduce concentrations of these contaminants and etc.), where and how the unit is installed, and what others that cause aesthetic problems such as scal- If you object to the chlorine If you have a contaminated contaminants it removes. Prices can range from $20 ing, staining, or odor. taste of your tap water, try private well, have special placing the water in an for a simple pitcher to hundreds of dollars for a health needs (see left side of uncovered pitcher in the reverse osmosis unit. page 2), or in an emergency Point-of-Use Devices: refrigerator overnight. This situation such as a flood, boil will reduce the chlorine taste. All units require some maintenance, and it is impor- water for one minute to kill Filter pitchers: Water filtration pitchers are an Most tap water is treated tant to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations microbes (or three minutes affordable and commonly used free-standing home with chlorine to kill disease- for replacements. For example, activated carbon filters at altitudes greater than one water treatment device. Most water pitchers use gran- causing microbes. Water sys- are designed to filter a certain amount of water; after mile) and place in a clean, ular-activated carbon and resins to bond with and tems use chlorine because it that, the filters become clogged and ineffective. Check covered container. trap contaminants.These filters are effective at is an effective disinfectant for the schedule and cost for replacement filters. improving the taste of water, and many will also viruses and bacteria, and reduce lead and other contaminants. because it continues to disin- Performance fect water as it travels Specific contaminants removed vary by model and through pipes. The following information briefly describes how differ- depend on the pore size and other factors. An acti- vated carbon filter, by itself, is not designed to remove Reduce lead ent types of home water treatment units work. For details, read information that accompanies all disease-causing organisms. Carbon filters have a If you have tested your water the product and look for independent specified shelf life and should be replaced regularly and know that it has high lev- certification of manufacturers’ claims. according to the manufacturer’s instructions. els of lead, or if your home has lead pipes, flush the cold Different units remove different contaminants or classes water tap by running it until it of contaminants from the water. Sophisticated units becomes cold if the water may use multiple technologies to remove several types hasn’t been used for several of contaminants and to provide backup protection in hours. Lead accumulates after case one treatment fails. extended contact with lead pipes. You may use this A water treatment device can either be free-standing, flushed water to water plants attached to a tap, plumbed in with a dedicated faucet and do other household chores. (also called a point-of-use device) connected to a refrigerator’s water and ice dispensing system; or cen- trally attached to treat all water entering a house (a point-of-entry device). For most contaminants, a point-of-use device is effec- tive for treating only the water that is consumed.
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