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Commercial activities such as auto repair shops, car washes, laundromats, dry cleaners, airports, gas stations, photo processors, and construction sites are associated with contaminants that, if improperly disposed of, can harm drinking water sources. Industrial activities such as chemical manufacturing and storage, machine or metalworking shops, landfills, and
Improperly maintained septic tanks are one of the biggest residential contributors to groundwater contamination. Improper storage or disposal of household products such as paints, detergents, solvents, oil, medicine, disinfectants, pool chemicals, batteries, gasoline, and many others can directly contribute to contamination of drinking water sources. Residential use of fertilizers, pesticides and so on can lead to contamination just as for major agricultural operations.
Agricultural:
Industrial and Commercial:
Residential:
Natural:
Many sources of potential contamination can be associated with agricultural activities. Pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides can all contribute to adverse health effects if they enter drinking water supplies. Improper storage, spills during handling, runoff from loading and washing of application equipment, and over-application of these materials can adversely impact drinking water sources. Other contamination sources in this category include animal burial areas and feed lots. Waste products excreted from animals kept in concentrated areas is one of the biggest culprits.
Natural impurities are always present in groundwater; the types and concentration of such impurities depend on the geology of the materials through which the water flows. Natural contaminants are many, and include aluminum, arsenic, chloride, chromium, coliform bacteria, fluoride, iron, lead, nitrate, and more.
Did you know . . . ?
Boiling water kills bacteria, viruses and parasites. But it concentrates nitrates and different solid contaminants.
mining operations also need to exercise particular care to avoid releasing contaminants into water supplies. Underground tank storage of petroleum products is another major contamination source.
contamination sources