What types of contaminants can be found in water?

Here’s a look at the four primary types of contaminants that may be found in the water:

BIOLOGICAL: This category includes bacteria, viruses, cysts and other types of microorganisms. Examples can include E-Coli, cryptosporidium, hepatitis, typhoid and cholera. Biological contaminants are considered the most dangerous of all the contaminants. The health problems associated with some biological contaminants can include gastrointestinal illness, liver damage, severe pain, neurological damage and in some cases even death.

INORGANIC: Inorganic contaminants are toxic metals and elemental contaminants that are not structured around the carbon atom. Examples include lead, copper, arsenic, and magnesium. While many inorganic contaminants are considered harmless, others have been proven to cause brain damage, learning disabilities, and cancer.

ORGANIC: There are tens of thousands of chemical contaminants structured around the carbon atom. Organic contaminants include solvents, pesticides, herbicides, and gasoline. Many organic contaminants have been linked to a number of forms of cancer and are suspected in a number of other types of illnesses.

RADIOACTIVE: Radioactive contaminants are typically inorganic and can be naturally occurring or man-made. Some radioactive contaminants have been linked to cancer.