Where Do Water Contaminants Come From?
As more and more consumers become aware of the possible health effects of ingesting or bathing in tap water, they also often wonder where these contaminants come from. There is no easy or single answer to that question. Contaminants find their way into both groundwater and surface water sources, and very few water sources are actually pristine and pure in their natural state. One unfortunate fact associated with contamination is that humans are responsible for much of it. The simple truth is that there are an ever-increasing number of activities that lead to pollution and contamination. Some of these activities include: improper disposal of chemicals, pesticide run off into surface water or seepage into groundwater sources, untreated waste from both humans and animals, improper disposal of household products and pharmaceuticals, industrial discharge, accidental spills, and deliberate discharge or spilling of dangerous products into surface water or onto the ground. Contaminants that af
