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Types of Drinking Water Contaminants

Explore more in-depth information on the common and emerging drinking water contaminants listed below:

​Chemical 
Elements or compounds that can be natural or man-made

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Arsenic

Disinfection Byproducts

Lead

Pesticides

Biological
Small organisms, sometimes called microbes or microbiological contaminants​​​​

Bacteria

Viruses

Protozoa & Parasites

Radiological
Radioactive particles that can be naturally occurring or man-made

Radium

Uranium

Aesthetic
Not considered to present a health risk but impact the taste, color, and odor of drinking water

Other Aesthetic Issues

Turbidity

Taste & Appearance

Hardness / Scale

Iron

Not Regulated [Emerging/Unregulated?]
Contaminants of emerging concern that may be potentially hazardous to human health

PFAS

Microplastics

Other Emerging Contaminants