Water Education - Water and Health

How do Water contaminants relate to health effects?

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Micro Organism

We have organized the information in the following order:

Microorganisms

ContaminantsMCL or TT1
(mg/L)2
Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of WaterSources of Contaminant in Drinking Water
CryptosporidiumTT 3
Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps)Human and fecal animal waste
Giardia lambliaTT3Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps)Human and animal fecal waste
Heterotrophic plate countTT3HPC 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
LegionellaTT3Legionnaire's Disease, a type of pneumonia

Found naturally in water; multiplies in heating systems

Total Coliforms (including fecal coliform and E. Coli)5.0%4Not a health threat in itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be presentColiforms are naturally present in the environment; as well as feces; fecal coliforms and E. coli only come from human and animal fecal waste.
TurbidityTT3Turbidity 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)TT3Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps)Human and animal fecal waste

Disinfection Byproducts

ContaminantMCL or TT1(mg/L)2Potential Health Effects from Ingestion of WaterSources of Contaminant in Drinking Water
Bromate0.010Increased risk of cancerByproduct of drinking water disinfection
Chlorite1.0Anemia; infants & young children: nervous system effectsByproduct of drinking water disinfection
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)0.060Increased risk of cancerByproduct of drinking water disinfection
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)0.10
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0.080
Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancerByproduct of drinking water disinfection
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