Chemical Contaminants

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that public water systems use chlorine for disinfection at the water treatment facility.

PFAS, including PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) are manufactured chemicals that stay in the environment for a very long time.

Pesticides, petrochemicals and other organic chemicals are human-made and do not occur naturally in drinking water.

What You Need to Know About Lead in Drinking Water Lead is a highly toxic metal. It can be found in both public and private water systems, in household plumbing, and in well components. Until around the 1950s, lead pipes...

What You Need to Know About Manganese in Drinking Water Manganese is a metal found naturally in the Earth's crust, which means it can be found in your well or spring water. It is an essential nutrient for the human...

What You Need to Know About Nitrates and Nitrites in Drinking Water Nitrogen can take different forms in nature and is important for life in both plants and animals. The most common form of nitrogen found in well water is...

Gross alpha radiation is a type of energy released when certain radioactive elements decay or break down and can be found in your drinking water.

Private water supplies are monitored and maintained by their owners, so it is important for them to do their own water testing and maintenance to make sure their drinking water remains safe.

Air Quality in Your Home National studies have shown that air pollution in our homes can be more of a health concern than air pollution outside. Indoor pollutant levels may, in fact, be many times higher than outdoor levels. There...

Carbon Monoxide in Your Home Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas you cannot see or smell. It is produced when liquid, solid or gas fuel is burned — such as natural gas, propane, oil, charcoal, wood and wood pellets...