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Bacteria was found in water putting a lot of people at risk.

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Bacteria was found in water putting a lot of people at risk.

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More testing was being conducted on the water in Burlington, Massachusetts, on Friday, 24 hours after the town was placed under an emergency Boil Water Order. The order came after E. coli was discovered in three of the 11 water samples that went out for testing on Wednesday came back positive on Thursday for E. coli. On Friday, the town's department of public works said it was conducting re-sampling of the affected areas, as well as additional sampling town-wide in order to determine whether E. coli bacteria remains in the system."These bacteria can make you sick and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems," an alert on the town's website said.The town's police drone is being used to ensure that all water tank hatches remain secure.Residents should bring all water consumed or used to a rolling boil and let it boil for at least one minute, then let it cool down before use, or use bottled water.The town says boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, food preparation, brushing teeth and washing dishes until further notice. Town officials say E. coli was discovered during routine testing of both the town water supply and the water that flows to Burlington from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. The MWRA water tested positive only in Burlington, according to officials.The boil water order is a minor inconvenience for some Burlington restaurants, but for other businesses, the impact is much more significant. We found signs on the door at Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery telling customers the shops are closed. Dunkin' has a sign saying no iced drinks are available. The boil water order may be in effect through the weekend, or longer, since test results take 24 hours to come back.E. coli bacterial contamination can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

More testing was being conducted on the water in Burlington, Massachusetts, on Friday, 24 hours after the town was placed under an emergency Boil Water Order.

The order came after E. coli was discovered in three of the 11 water samples that went out for testing on Wednesday came back positive on Thursday for E. coli.

On Friday, the town's department of public works said it was conducting re-sampling of the affected areas, as well as additional sampling town-wide in order to determine whether E. coli bacteria remains in the system.

"These bacteria can make you sick and are a particular concern for people with weakened immune systems," an alert on the town's website said.

The town's police drone is being used to ensure that all water tank hatches remain secure.

Residents should bring all water consumed or used to a rolling boil and let it boil for at least one minute, then let it cool down before use, or use bottled water.

The town says boiled or bottled water should be used for drinking, making ice, food preparation, brushing teeth and washing dishes until further notice.

Town officials say E. coli was discovered during routine testing of both the town water supply and the water that flows to Burlington from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.

The MWRA water tested positive only in Burlington, according to officials.

The boil water order is a minor inconvenience for some Burlington restaurants, but for other businesses, the impact is much more significant. We found signs on the door at Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery telling customers the shops are closed.

Dunkin' has a sign saying no iced drinks are available.

The boil water order may be in effect through the weekend, or longer, since test results take 24 hours to come back.

E. coli bacterial contamination can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems.

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More testing underway after E. coli found in Mass. town's water

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Town officials say E. coli was discovered during routine testing of both the town water supply and the water that flows to the town from the MWRA.

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Will Reduce Stormwater Pollution Impairing Charles, Mystic and Neponset Rivers' Water Quality

( BOSTON) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced decisive action to control currently unregulated stormwater pollution from entering unchecked into the watersheds of the Charles, Mystic and Neponset Rivers and control those pollutants under the Clean Water Act. This is the first time that EPA has exercised its residual designation authority under the Clean Water Act on such a broad scale to address watersheds in a major urban area. The innovative effort is expected to dramatically improve water quality throughout the watersheds, as well as reduce localized flooding and increase recreational opportunities through healthier river systems in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods.

"On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act, EPA is taking strong, decisive action to ensure that all our citizens have access to local waterways that support enjoyment and recreation. It is clear that the nature and scale of the problem requires urgent action on this pressing environmental justice concern," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "With a warming climate there is no time to waste to reduce bacterial and nutrient pollution in stormwater and the resulting water quality degradation including harmful algae blooms experienced yearly in all three watersheds."

Beginning in 1995, with the Clean Charles River Initiative, EPA has worked closely with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, local communities, other organizations and individual citizens to restore water quality in the three major Boston-area urban rivers. These efforts have yielded significant water quality improvements in portions of all three watersheds, especially by reducing bacterial contamination. However, stormwater pollution continues to be the largest uncontrolled source of phosphorus, nitrogen and bacteria - which is harming water quality in each of the three river watersheds; nitrogen and phosphorus also lead to toxic algal blooms in hot weather events.

Under today's action, EPA is utilizing a Clean Water Act provision called "residual designation authority," under which the Agency will require permit coverage for stormwater discharges from currently unregulated and uncontrolled sources of stormwater pollution in the Charles, Mystic and Neponset River watersheds. Certain commercial, industrial, and institutional properties with one or more acres of impervious area (hard surfaces like parking lots, roofs, and roadways that make it difficult for stormwater to soak into the ground) will be required to obtain coverage under an EPA Clean Water Act permit. Once permits are issued, property owners will be required to take steps to reduce pollutants in stormwater.

EPA anticipates issuing one or more general permits specifying the activities that property owners must implement to reduce stormwater pollution from their properties. Privately owned commercial, industrial, and institutional properties with 1-acre or greater impervious cover will need to seek coverage under one of these permits (or an individual permit if they prefer) and take the actions spelled out in the permits. The general permits will be released in draft form for public comment in the future. Public comments on this determination will also be accepted at that time, consistent with EPA regulations.

The eventual new permit will likely rely on well-proven and easily implemented "Best Management Practices" (BMPs) - including leaf litter pickup, parking lot sweeping, installing rain gardens or other infiltration practices, planting trees, reducing pavement or utilizing pervious pavement - to reduce stormwater discharges into waterways and increase infiltration of stormwater back into the earth. These BMPs will have a direct and measurable benefit to local communities by reducing polluted stormwater and also several other secondary benefits of an improved living environment - less impervious pavement, more green infrastructure, and reduced local heat island effect.

Municipal governments in Charles, Mystic and Neponset River watershed cities and towns are already subject to EPA permits that require them to take steps to reduce pollution in stormwater, and they have made significant investments to do so. However, much of this pollution comes directly from stormwater originating from certain commercial, industrial, and institutional sources - such as office parks, industrial parks, shopping centers, private colleges and universities, and hospitals - which are not currently required to be covered by an existing permit. Today's action prepares the way for greater accountability and places responsibility for cleaning up pollution squarely on those responsible - greatly reducing the burden faced by cities and towns throughout these watersheds.

Large impervious areas are one of the last major unregulated sources of water pollution, and a chief culprit in dramatic algal blooms - including toxic cyanobacteria - as well as high bacteria levels that have plagued the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset in recent years. Extensive impervious cover also aggravates the severity of flooding because those areas diminish the amount of land that can naturally soak in and filter rainwater.

Effective, common sense stormwater control also has an added benefit of mitigating the potential for flooding during major precipitation events. Stormwater controls such as those envisioned by EPA to comply with this future permit will help reduce the severity of flooding. Capturing stormwater for infiltration back into the land helps ensure a clean and safe water supply, replenishes depleted groundwater, and filters contaminants out of stormwater before it enters lakes, ponds, rivers or streams.

For decades, EPA's efforts to address water quality impairment in the Charles, Mystic, and Neponset Rivers has featured coordinated efforts among EPA, state and local governments, private organizations, and environmental advocates. Cities and towns in the watersheds have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in stormwater and sewer improvements. As a result, much progress has been achieved making the rivers safer for recreation, such as boating and, in some cases, swimming. By employing residual designation authority, EPA is today addressing one of the last remaining unregulated sources of pollution harming the rivers.
More information:

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EPA Implements Advanced Effort to Protect Water Quality in Three Boston-area River Watersheds | US EPA

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EPA News Release: EPA Implements Advanced Effort to Protect Water Quality in Three Boston-area River Watersheds

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Reports Show Widespread PFAS Contamination of Ground and Surface Water in Massachusetts

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87% of the 259 communities have detectable levels of up to 13 different PFAS chemicals in their water sources. See the full list here…

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Drinking water advisories

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Health Advisories Explained

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) authorizes EPA to issue HAs for contaminants that are not subject to a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) ( 42 U.S.C. §300g-1(b)(1)(F)). HA documents provide technical information on chemical and microbial contaminants that can cause human health effects and are known or anticipated to occur in drinking water. HA values/levels identify the concentration of a contaminant in drinking water at which adverse health effects and/or aesthetic effects are not anticipated to occur over specific exposure durations (e.g., 1 day, 10 days, a lifetime). HAs primarily serve as information to drinking water systems and officials responsible for protecting public health when emergency spills or other contamination situations occur. They help Tribes, states, and local governments inform the public and determine whether local actions are needed to address public health impacts in affected communities. EPA's HA documents describe information about health effects, analytical methodologies, and treatment technologies. HAs are not to be construed as legally enforceable federal standards and are subject to change as new information becomes available.

EPA can develop interim or provisional HA levels to provide information in response to an urgent or rapidly developing situation. Interim or provisional HAs are also based on health-based hazard concentrations above which action should be taken to reduce exposure to unregulated contaminants in drinking water. They can be updated or removed as additional information becomes available. For example, EPA published provisional HAs for PFOA and PFOS in 2009 and interim updated HAs for PFOA and PFOS in 2022.

EPA's Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories tables contain HA levels for approximately 200 contaminants based on non-cancer health effects for different durations of exposure (e.g., one-day, ten-day, and lifetime) as well as the underlying reference dose (RfD) supporting the lifetime HAs or, if applicable, the cancer risk values for drinking water contaminants. The tables also include the contaminants currently regulated under SDWA for which EPA has established Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) as well as Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs; also known as drinking water standards). An MCLG is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety and are non-enforceable public health goals. An MCL is the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology and taking cost into consideration. MCLs are enforceable standards.

Published HAs for Chemicals

Published HAs for Microbial Toxins

HAs Currently Under Development

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

As stated in EPA's PFAS Strategic Roadmap, PFAS contamination has impacted drinking water quality across the country, including in underserved rural areas and communities of color. Going forward, EPA anticipates developing HAs for additional PFAS or categories of PFAS as the Agency publishes toxicity assessments.

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pollutants & contaminants > water pollutants > drinking water contaminants

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Drinking Water Health Advisories (HAs) | US EPA

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Health Advisories (HAs) information on water contaminants' effects on human health, including documents and benchmarks for pesticides.

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More children killed by unsafe water, than bullets, says UNICEF chief

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A lack of safe water, is far deadlier for children than war in more than a dozen conflict-affected countries, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Thursday, in a report launched to coincide with World Water Day, marked on 22 March.

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The World Health Organization says that every year more than 3.4 million people die as a result of water related diseases, making it the leading cause of disease and death around the world. Most of the victims are young children, the vast majority of whom die of illnesses caused by organisms that thrive in water sources contaminated by raw sewage. VOA's Jessica Berman has more on the story.
A report published recently in the medical journal The Lancet concluded that poor water sanitation and a lack of safe drinking water take a greater human toll than war, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction combined.

According to an assessment commissioned by the United Nations, 4,000 children die each day as a result of diseases caused by ingestion of filthy water. The report says four out of every 10 people in the world, particularly those in Africa and Asia, do not have clean water to drink.

Resources analyst Erik Peterson, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, describes the water crisis this way:

"At any given time, close to half the population of the developing world is suffering from waterborne diseases associated with inadequate provision of water and sanitation services," Mr. Peterson explained. "There are about four billion cases of diarrhea disease per year, resulting in about one or two million deaths, some ninety percent of which, tragically, are in children under the age of five."

Cholera, typhoid fever and hepatitis A are caused by bacteria, and are among the most common diarrheal diseases. Other illnesses, such as dysentery, are caused by parasites that live in water contaminated by the feces of sick individuals. Lakes and streams which people use for drinking water, bathing and defecating are sources of disease, as is water left by natural disasters. Last year's tsunami left victims in ankle-deep water, amid destroyed sewage pipes.

People can also contract a diarrheal disease by eating food that's prepared by sick individuals who have not washed their hands, or touching something handled by an infected person and then putting their own hands into their mouths.

Marla Smith-Nelson helped form Water Partners International, after becoming alarmed by the health impact of unclean water in some of the world's poorest countries.

"In Ethiopia, I believe one in five children are dying before they reach the age of five. So, we are working in countries that have significant water issues," she said. "But there are so many countries that have severe water issues, I don't want to paint a picture that we are working in the absolute worst places. I think it's probably a tie among a lot of different countries where there are issues."

Experts say there are both short term and long term measures that can be taken to prevent the spread of waterborne illnesses. In the short term, they say people should wash their hands as much as possible, use a latrine, even if it's a hole in the ground, and boil water and store it.

For the long term, communities must have sources of clean drinking water. Ms. Smith-Nelson says up to 50 percent of places with unsafe drinking water once had systems that functioned, but they fell apart due to lack of maintenance. Her group helps rebuild water systems and shows local people how to set up local governing bodies to run them.

The organization has worked in communities in nations as diverse as Bangladesh and Honduras.

"One of the biggest systems that we funded involved 50 miles of pipeline trench that was dug entirely by hand by the community itself," she explained, " which I think was a great example to me, and I think a great example to anybody who works with us, on the significance of these water systems, of how badly they're wanted by the community, the fact that local people would put in two years of hard labor to dig a trench to get water to their community."

Analysts say eliminating disease and death due to unclean water and poor sanitation would reap billions of dollars in health and productivity gains. They estimate that for every dollar spent, there would be an economic return of between $3 and $34, depending upon the country.

The United Nations has set a goal of cutting in half by the year 2015 the number of people without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Independent experts say that a concerted effort on the part of wealthier nations is necessary if that goal is to be reached.

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WHO: Waterborne Disease is World's Leading Killer

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The World Health Organization says that every year more than 3.4 million people die as a result of water related diseases, making it the leading cause of disease and death around the world. Most of the victims are young children, the vast majority of whom die of illnesses caused by organisms that thrive in water sources contaminated by raw sewage.

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Section 435.06 - Water Circulation and Filtration Systems, 105 Mass. Reg. 435.06 | Casetext Search + Citator

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Read Section 435.06 - Water Circulation and Filtration Systems, 105 Mass. Reg. 435.06, see flags on bad law, and search Casetext’s comprehensive legal database

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What Easton is doing about bad water filtration 

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What Easton is doing about bad water filtration 

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In Easton they expect new treatment facilities to be completed by summer of 2023.

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Massachusetts communities concerned about water supply after recent contamination issues

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Residents across the state are becoming concerned about their water supply after several boil water notices in Massachusetts communities.

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Please do not include personal or contact information. You will not get a response

The feedback will only be used for improving the website. If you need assistance, please contact the Water Resources Commission.

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Water Policies, Guidelines, Laws and Regulations

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Water policies, guidelines, laws and regulations specific to the protection of the water resources of the Commonwealth.

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Contaminated water killed 13 in US in 2013-14, CDC says | CNN

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A total of 42 drinking-water-associated disease outbreaks and 27 environmental or unknown water exposure outbreaks were reported by 29 states in 2013-14.

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The haw river contaminated by Burlington companies making the tap water dirty

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https://www.sepsol.com/product/mas-beverage-grade-membrane-filter-cartridge/

https://purennatural.com/collections/water-filtration

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Access to clean water and sanitation is a human right enshrined in international law. Although there has been progress in recent years, contaminated water and waterborne diseases remain major threats to public health - not only in low income countries, but also in wealthier nations such as the United States.

On August 3, 2010, the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) recognized access to clean water and sanitation as a human right alongside other fundamental rights, such as life and liberty, freedom of expression, and education.

According to the UN:

"Lack of access to safe, sufficient, and affordable water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities has a devastating effect on the health, dignity, and prosperity of billions of people and has significant consequences for the realization of other human rights."

Untreated water contains pathogens such as the bacteria that cause diarrhea and the parasitic worms that cause schistosomiasis (snail fever).
These pathogens spread far and wide when untreated human waste contaminates groundwater and open water that people use for drinking, irrigation, bathing, and washing utensils.
In recent decades, there has been progress toward realizing the universal right to clean water and sanitation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 2000 and 2017, the proportion of the global population with access to safely managed drinking water increased from 61% to 71%.

During the same period, the proportion of the global population with access to safely managed sanitation services increased from 28% to 45%.

Despite this progress, however, dirty drinking water and contaminated soil continue to pose a threat to the health of huge numbers of people worldwide.

For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that among children under 5 years of age, there are 1.7 billion cases of diarrhea and 446,000 deaths from the condition every year globally.

The CDC also says that there are around 3 million cases of cholera, a waterborne infection, and 95,000 deaths from it annually.

As a result of poor sanitation, parasitic worms in contaminated soil infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide every year.

Around 785 million people, which equates to around 1 in 10 people worldwide, still lack access to drinking water facilities.
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A surprisingly large number of these people live in rich nations. In fact, one study found that between 2013 and 2017, around 1.1 million people in the U.S. had insecure water access.

Almost a half of these people lived in the 50 largest metropolitan areas of the U.S. This included 65,000 people in New York who did not have access to piped water.

Researchers at the University of Arizona in Tucson and King's College London in the United Kingdom conducted this study. It appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2020.

In the paper, the study authors say:

"Without tap water, how do you wash your hands? In a global health pandemic such as COVID-19, the difference between secure and insecure water access - starting with those 65,000 unplumbed New Yorkers - is a matter of life and death."

The study revealed that households without running water were more likely to include people of color, to live in mobile homes or rented accommodation, and to spend a higher proportion of their income on housing costs.
"We offer clear evidence that gaps in urban water access are neither random nor accidental but underpinned by precarious housing conditions and systemic social and racialized inequality," the study authors conclude.

They suggest that their numbers almost certainly underestimate the scale of the problem, as the U.S. Census Bureau tends to undercount people in rented accommodation, people without homes, and people of color.

They point out, for example, that people without homes often face great difficulty accessing clean water and toilet facilities and that their numbers are currently growing in U.S. cities.

Another study confirmed that, although access to water and sanitation is supposedly universal in towns and cities across the U.S., official figures do not account for people without homes or those in substandard housing.
When the researchers took these factors into account, they found that at least 630,000 people did not have access to a flush toilet and that a further 300,000 relied on shared sanitation.
Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta conducted this study. It appeared in the American Journal of Public Health in 2020.

Although the percentage of people without basic sanitation services is low in the U.S., the study authors write, the absolute number is large for "a high income country where resources exist to address the issue."

They note that people living in rented accommodation may have running water and a flush toilet, but when these facilities break, landlords might take weeks or months to organize repairs.

Both the above studies conclude that introducing measures to ensure affordable and adequate housing is the most effective way to improve access to water and sanitation in U.S. towns and cities.

In 2019, a major report by two nonprofit organizations - the US Water Alliance and Dig Deep - proposed a plan of action to tackle what it called "America's hidden water crisis."

The report, Closing the Water Gap in the United States, estimates that more than 2 million people in the U.S. do not have access to safe drinking water and sanitation.

However, it reiterates that the U.S. does not collect comprehensive data on water poverty. This has made it particularly difficult to assess the scale of the problem for those who are worst affected: low income communities and communities of color.
The report cites evidence that Native American households, for instance, are 19 times more likely than white households to have inadequate plumbing.
Also, African American and Latinx households appear to be nearly twice as likely to face this challenge as white households.

The report's authors assert that the problem is not isolated dwellings living "off the grid" but entire communities that lack access to clean water and safe sanitation.

They provide examples from six communities, from California to Puerto Rico, to highlight how widespread and deep rooted the problems are.

In the report, they write:

"On the Navajo Nation in the Southwest, families drive for hours to haul barrels of water to meet their basic needs. In West Virginia, they drink from polluted streams. In Alabama, parents warn their children not to play outside because their yards are flooded with sewage. Families living in Texas border towns worry because there is no running water to fight fires."

The report concludes that in rural communities, in contrast with towns and cities, the root cause of water poverty is isolation from municipal water services.

In urban areas, utility providers tend to cover the installation and maintenance costs of water and sewer lines. However, for communities that are too far from these municipal systems, individual households may be responsible for installing a private well and septic system, often with minimal technical and financial support.

Among their proposed solutions, the report's authors argue that community-led initiatives that involve the meaningful participation of residents are more likely to succeed because they foster collaboration among neighbors and a sense of ownership.
However, they also call for additional government grants, as well as operational and technical assistance where required.
On March 31, 2021, President Joe Biden published a program of infrastructure investment - the " American Jobs Plan " - which includes $111 billion of investments in water infrastructure.

Among its ambitions is the modernization of aging drinking water and wastewater systems by scaling up existing successful programs.

In addition, the plan includes calls for $56 billion in grants and loans to "states, tribes, territories, and disadvantaged communities."

Medical News Today asked George McGraw, the chief executive officer of Dig Deep, how optimistic he was that the new investments would address the concerns raised in the Dig Deep and US Water Alliance report.
"Given the scope of the problem with more than 2,200,000 Americans living without basic access to safe drinking water and sanitation," he said, "it is impossible that the problem will be solved overnight."
However, he also said that he was encouraged by the investments that Congress and the Biden Administration were making to tackle the problems.

He added that the "number one thing" that Congress and the Administration can do to help marginalized communities such as Native Americans is significantly increase the level of annual federal funding targeted at tribes and other impacted communities.

However, he emphasized that the funds should be made available as grants rather than loans.

Furthermore, local government, utilities, nonprofits, and community groups should be allowed to use the money as they see fit, he said, "for things like decentralized systems or operations and maintenance costs in places that systems cannot financially support themselves."

Looking to the future, many U.S. individuals are going to have to dig deeper - quite literally.
A study led by the U.S. Forest Service predicts that by the end of the 21st century, climate change and population growth will present serious challenges to water supply in some regions of the U.S.
Declines in rainfall, say the authors, will rule out any hope of increasing reservoir storage capacity.

Among the few remaining options to cope with severe shortages will be to increase groundwater extraction - in other words, dig deeper wells - and pump more water out of rivers, with all the environmental costs that this will entail.

Of course, much of the rest of the world will be facing similar challenges from a warming climate and increasing populations.

It is hard to escape the conclusion that, in the coming decades, the human right to water and sanitation may seem an increasingly distant dream for some of the world's most socially and economically deprived communities.

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The impact of water poverty in the United States

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In this Special Feature, we look at how water poverty impacts public health in the United States and which groups predominantly lack access to clean water.

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Problems with drinking poor water.

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Tap water sometimes gets contaminated with germs and chemicals at high enough levels to make you sick. Learn how public water and private wells get contaminated and how to find out if your water has unsafe levels of germs or chemicals.

Public water is regulated but can sometimes get contaminated

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates drinking water quality in public water systems and sets limits for germs and chemicals in water. However, sometimes unsafe levels of harmful germs and chemicals contaminate public drinking water. The germs and chemicals can get in the water at its source (for example, ground water or water from lakes or rivers) or while water is traveling through the distribution system, after the water treatment plant has already removed germs and chemicals from source water.

EPA requires water utilities to test for and address many germs and chemicals in their drinking water systems. Water utilities are required to tell customers about testing for contaminants and whether they found any unsafe levels of chemicals or germs in the water. Customers are notified through notices of violations and drinking water advisories. Water utilities must also provide their customers with an annual drinking water quality report called the Consumer Confidence Report.

Some people are more likely to get sick from germs and chemicals in water:

Infants

Young children

People who are pregnant

Older adults

People who have weakened immune systems, such as people living with HIV, getting chemotherapy treatment, or taking transplant medications

How water gets contaminated

Germs and chemicals can get in drinking water at the water's source or in the distribution system after the water has already been treated. Harmful germs and chemicals can get in the water from many sources, including:

Fertilizers, pesticides, or other chemicals that have been applied to land near the water

Concentrated feeding operations (large industrial animal farms)

Manufacturing operations

Sewer overflows

Storm water

Wildlife

Rocks and soil that naturally have chemicals and minerals such as arsenic, radon, and uranium

Cracks in water pipes or other problems in the distribution system

Get more information about specific germs and chemicals that most commonly get into water and cause disease, and how to remove them:

Private well owners are responsible for testing their water

Unlike public drinking water supplies, private wells are not regulated by EPA. Owners of private wells are responsible for testing their water to make sure it is safe to drink.

If you have a private well, test it at least once a year for mechanical problems, cleanliness, coliform bacteria, nitrates, and any other germs or chemicals of local concern. Also check your well after flooding or if you suspect a problem (for example, a change in taste or smell). Germs and chemicals can get in wells after flooding, particularly if wells are shallow, were dug or bored, or were covered by floodwater for days or weeks.

If your private well has harmful germs or chemicals in it, your neighbors' water may also be unsafe to drink. This is because your well is likely connected to the same source of ground water (aquifer).

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Tap water sometimes gets contaminated with germs and chemicals at high enough levels to make you sick. Learn how public water and private wells get contaminated and how to find out if your water has unsafe levels of germs or chemicals.

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How Can You Remove 'Forever Chemicals' from Your Drinking Water?

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cholera (bacterial disease)

diarrhoea

dysentery (intestinal infection

hepatitis A (liver infection)

typhoid (high fever)

polio (disabling disease)

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Safe and readily available water is important for public health, whether it is used for drinking, domestic use, food production or recreational purposes. Improved water supply and sanitation, and better management of water resources, can boost countries' economic growth and can contribute greatly to poverty reduction.

In 2010, the UN General Assembly explicitly recognized the human right to water and sanitation. Everyone has the right to sufficient, continuous, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic use.

Drinking-water services

Sustainable Development Goal target 6.1 calls for universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. The target is tracked with the indicator of "safely managed drinking water services" - drinking water from an improved water source that is located on premises, available when needed, and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination.

In 2022, 6 billion people used safely managed drinking-water services - that is, they used improved water sources located on premises, available when needed, and free from contamination. The remaining 2.2 billion people without safely managed services in 2022 included:

1.5 billion people with basic services, meaning an improved water source located within a round trip of 30 minutes;

292 million people with limited services, or an improved water source requiring more than 30 minutes to collect water;

296 million people taking water from unprotected wells and springs; and

115 million people collecting untreated surface water from lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

Sharp geographic, sociocultural and economic inequalities persist, not only between rural and urban areas but also in towns and cities where people living in low-income, informal or illegal settlements usually have less access to improved sources of drinking-water than other residents.
Water and health

Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. Absent, inadequate, or inappropriately managed water and sanitation services expose individuals to preventable health risks. This is particularly the case in health care facilities where both patients and staff are placed at additional risk of infection and disease when water, sanitation and hygiene services are lacking.

Out of every 100 patients in acute-care hospitals, 7 patients in high-income countries (HICs) and 15 patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) will acquire at least one health care-associated infection during their hospital stay.

Inadequate management of urban, industrial and agricultural wastewater means the drinking-water of hundreds of millions of people is dangerously contaminated or chemically polluted. Natural presence of chemicals, particularly in groundwater, can also be of health significance, including arsenic and fluoride, while other chemicals, such as lead, may be elevated in drinking-water as a result of leaching from water supply components in contact with drinking-water.

Some 1 million people are estimated to die each year from diarrhoea as a result of unsafe drinking-water, sanitation and hand hygiene. Yet diarrhoea is largely preventable, and the deaths of 395 000 children aged under 5 years could be avoided each year if these risk factors were addressed. Where water is not readily available, people may decide handwashing is not a priority, thereby adding to the likelihood of diarrhoea and other diseases.

Diarrhoea is the most widely known disease linked to contaminated food and water but there are other hazards. In 2021, over 251.4 million people required preventative treatment for schistosomiasis - an acute and chronic disease caused by parasitic worms contracted through exposure to infested water.

In many parts of the world, insects that live or breed in water carry and transmit diseases such as dengue fever. Some of these insects, known as vectors, breed in clean, rather than dirty water, and household drinking water containers can serve as breeding grounds. The simple intervention of covering water storage containers can reduce vector breeding and may also reduce faecal contamination of water at the household level.

Economic and social effects

When water comes from improved and more accessible sources, people spend less time and effort physically collecting it, meaning they can be productive in other ways. This can also result in greater personal safety and reducing musculoskeletal disorders by reducing the need to make long or risky journeys to collect and carry water. Better water sources also mean less expenditure on health, as people are less likely to fall ill and incur medical costs and are better able to remain economically productive.

With children particularly at risk from water-related diseases, access to improved sources of water can result in better health, and therefore better school attendance, with positive longer-term consequences for their lives.

Challenges

Historical rates of progress would need to double for the world to achieve universal coverage with basic drinking water services by 2030. To achieve universal safely managed services will require a 6-fold increase. Climate change, increasing water scarcity, population growth, demographic changes and urbanization already pose challenges for water supply systems. Over 2 billion people live in water-stressed countries, which is expected to be exacerbated in some regions as result of climate change and population growth. Re-use of wastewater to recover water, nutrients or energy is becoming an important strategy. Use of wastewater and sludge is widespread globally; however, much is used informally and/or without sufficient treatment and other controls to ensure that human and environmental health is protected. If done appropriately safe use of wastewater and sludge can yield multiple benefits, including increased food production, increased resilience to water and nutrient scarcity and greater circularity in the economy.

Options for water sources used for drinking-water and irrigation will continue to evolve, with an increasing reliance on groundwater and alternative sources, including wastewater. Climate change will lead to greater fluctuations in harvested rainwater. Management of all water resources will need to be improved to ensure provision and quality.

WHO's response

As the international authority on public health and water quality, WHO leads global efforts to prevent water-related disease, advising governments on the development of health-based targets and regulations.

WHO produces a series of water quality guidelines, including on drinking-water, safe use of wastewater, and recreational water quality. The water quality guidelines are based on managing risks, and since 2004 the Guidelines for drinking-water quality promote the Framework for safe drinking-water. The Framework recommends establishment of health-based targets, the development and implementation of water safety plans by water suppliers to most effectively identify and manage risks from catchment to consumer, and independent surveillance to ensure that water safety plans are effective and health-based targets are being met.

The drinking-water guidelines are supported by background publications that provide the technical basis for the Guidelines recommendations. WHO also supports countries to implement the drinking-water quality guidelines through the development of practical guidance materials and provision of direct country support. This includes the development of locally relevant drinking-water quality regulations aligned to the principles in the Guidelines, the development, implementation and auditing of water safety plans and strengthening of surveillance practices.

Since 2014, WHO has been testing household water treatment products against WHO health-based performance criteria through the WHO International Scheme to Evaluate Household Water Treatment Technologies. The aim of the scheme is to ensure that products protect users from the pathogens that cause diarrhoeal disease and to strengthen policy, regulatory and monitoring mechanisms at the national level to support appropriate targeting and consistent and correct use of such products.

WHO works closely with UNICEF in a number of areas concerning water and health, including on water, sanitation, and hygiene in health care facilities. In 2015 the two agencies jointly developed WASH FIT (Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool), an adaptation of the water safety plan approach. WASH FIT aims to guide small, primary health care facilities in low- and middle-income settings through a continuous cycle of improvement through assessments, prioritization of risk, and definition of specific, targeted actions. A 2023 report describes practical steps that countries can take to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities.

UN-Water. Summary progress update 2021: SDG 6 - water and sanitation for all. https://www.unwater.org/sites/default/files/app/uploads/2021/12/SDG-6-Summary-Progress-Update-2021_Version-July-2021a.pdf

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WHO fact sheet on water: key facts, access to water, water and health

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“Studies indicate that exposure to sufficiently elevated levels of certain PFAS may cause a variety of health effects including developmental effects in fetuses and infants, effects on the thyroid, liver, kidneys, certain hormones and the immune system.”

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a family of chemicals used since the 1950s to manufacture stain-resistant, water-resistant, and non-stick products. PFAS are widely used in common consumer products as coatings, on food packaging, outdoor clothing, carpets, leather goods, ski and snowboard waxes, and more.

Certain types of firefighting foam-historically used by the U.S. military, local fire departments, and airports to fight oil and gasoline fires-may contain PFAS.

PFAS in drinking water is an important emerging issue nationwide. Because PFAS are water soluble, over time PFAS from some firefighting foam, manufacturing sites, landfills, spills, air deposition from factories and other releases can seep into surface soils. From there, PFAS can leach into groundwater or surface water, and can contaminate drinking water. PFAS have also been found in rivers, lakes, fish, and wildlife.

PFAS stay in the environment for a long time and do not break down easily. As a result, PFAS are widely detected in soil, water, air, and food. Some PFAS can accumulate in the food chain. Exposure can occur when someone uses certain products that contain PFAS, eats PFAS-contaminated food, or drinks PFAS-contaminated water. When ingested, some PFAS can build up in the body and, over time, these PFAS may increase to a level where health effects could occur.

Studies indicate that exposure to sufficiently elevated levels of certain PFAS may cause a variety of health effects including developmental effects in fetuses and infants, effects on the thyroid, liver, kidneys, certain hormones and the immune system. Some studies suggest a cancer risk may also exist in people exposed to higher levels of some PFAS. Scientists and regulators are still working to study and better understand the health risks posed by exposures to PFAS, and MassDEP is following developments in this burgeoning area closely.

In 2020, the Massachusetts legislature appointed the PFAS Interagency Task Force to investigate water and ground contamination of PFAS across the Commonwealth. The Task Force held nine public hearings throughout 2021 and heard testimony from a wide range of stakeholders, including researchers, advocacy groups, community members, municipal officials, state agencies, public water systems, industry groups, and legislators.

Learn more about the PFAS Interagency Task Force and see the Final PFAS Interagency Task Force Report

On May 25, 2022, Attorney General Maura Healey sued 13 manufacturers of PFAS " forever chemicals" used in firefighting foam for causing millions of dollars in damages to communities across Massachusetts by knowingly contaminating drinking water sources, groundwater, and other natural resources with highly toxic PFAS chemicals that pose a serious threat to public health and the environment.

See more information about the lawsuit: AG Healey Sues Manufacturers of Toxic 'Forever' Chemicals

Massachusetts PFAS Standard for Public Drinking Water Supplies

On October 2, 2020, MassDEP published its PFAS public drinking water standard or Massachusetts Maximum Contaminant Level (MMCL) of 20 nanograms per liter (ng/L), or parts per trillion (ppt) applicable to community (COM) and non-transient non-community (NTNC) systems for the sum of the concentrations of six specific PFAS. The six PFAS are: PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFHpA, and PFDA. MassDEP abbreviates this set of six PFAS as "PFAS6." This drinking water standard is set to be protective against adverse health effects for all people consuming the water.
More information on the development of a PFAS6 MCL in Massachusetts More Information for Public Water Suppliers about compliance with the PFAS6 MCL
EPA Proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation

On March 14, 2023 EPA released proposed National Primary Drinking Water regulations for PFOA, PFOS and four other PFAS. EPA is proposing to set a Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4.0 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and 4.0 ppt for PFOS and is proposing to address four additional PFAS (GenX, PFBS, PFNA, and PFHxS) as a mixture using a Hazard Index. A Hazard Index accounts for the increased risk from mixtures of PFAS.
MassDEP Comments on PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation Rulemaking Find out more information on EPA's proposed MCL for PFAS
Health Information for Consumers

MassDEP Fact Sheet - Questions and Answers for Consumers

CDC ATSDR Information on PFAS for consumers and health professionals

This story map consists of seven tabs that present interactive maps, dashboards and photographs that describe the efforts by MassDEP and Public Water Suppliers to address the PFAS contamination. Click on the full screen symbol in the bottom right corner for best viewing.

PFAS testing data
PFAS sampling results from PWS are available on the Massachusetts EEA Data Portal. Search under the contaminant group "PFAS" or for the sum of the six compounds in the MCL, search under the chemical name "PFAS6".

PFAS and Environmental Justice Communities

The U.S. Government Accountability Office issued a report on October 19, 2022. The report concludes: "In Massachusetts, communities with higher percentages of non-White or Hispanic/Latino residents and/or families living in poverty were less likely than other communities to have PFAS in their drinking water." See https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-22-105135
New drinking water source approvals and PFAS
MassDEP requires PWS to test all new sources of drinking water for PFAS, including replacement sources and satellite wells, using EPA method 537 (14 compounds) or 537.1 (18 Compounds) and report all results. For more information about the new source approval process, contact your MassDEP Regional Office. List of MassDEP Regional Offices by community or email the MassDEP Drinking Water Program program.director-dwp@mass.gov.

Private Well Owners
If you are a private well owner, for more information about whether you should test, how to test and your drinking water treatment options, please see PFAS in Private Well Drinking Water Supplies FAQ.
Public Water Suppliers
Field Sampling Guide and video of sample collection procedures for Public Water Suppliers: https://youtu.be/zrwhwSI-R9M
Drinking Water Laboratories
Drinking water samples must be analyzed for PFAS by labs using EPA Methods: 537 or 537.1.

To find a certified lab see: MassDEP certified labs

If you are a laboratory and are interested in becoming certified, see: Laboratory certification office policy on PFAS
and Laboratory Certification Forms

The MassDEP Free PFAS Analysis Program was active from July 2020 through June 30, 2022 and provided the opportunity for free laboratory analyses of PFAS drinking water samples for all Public Water Systems and select private wells in 85 towns where 60% or more of the residents were served by private wells. The Final Report provides a summary of the key elements of the Program, the findings and results, and an overview of other PFAS actions taken by MassDEP and the Commonwealth.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Food Protection Program publishes a list of companies licensed to sell or distribute bottled water or carbonated non-alcoholic beverages in Massachusetts. The list includes bottling company weblinks to enable searches for products sold in Massachusetts. Licenses are renewed annually, and the MDPH list will be updated quarterly.

The MDPH list includes only bottlers licensed by MDPH after they provided test results which show that their bottled water or beverages comply with final drinking water standards for PFAS, and other contaminants established by:

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection,

The US Environmental Protection Agency, and

The US Food and Drug Administration.

In 2022, the MDPH conducted a pilot surveillance program on PFAS in bottled water sold in Massachusetts. All bottled water test results met the MassDEP PFAS6 MCL and the US EPA's proposed MCLs.

Information from MDPH regarding bottled water, including contact information, can be found here.
Home Water Filters
There are also home water treatment filters capable of removing PFAS from drinking water for the countertop or under the sink. Treatment systems and devices are not specifically designed to meet Massachusetts' drinking water standard for PFAS6. There are systems that have been designed to reduce the sum of PFOS and PFOA to below EPA's former Health Advisory of 70 ng/L. Any treatment device you use should be certified to meet the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) standards to remove PFOS and PFOA compounds so that the sum of their concentrations is below 70 ng/L. Please be aware that 70 ng/L is significantly greater than the MassDEP's drinking water standard of 20 ng/L for the PFAS6 compounds. Many of these treatment devices certified to meet NSF standards will likely be able to reduce PFAS6 levels to well below 70 ng/L, but there are no federal or state testing requirements for these treatment devices. If you choose to install a treatment device, you should check to see if the manufacturer has independently verifiable PFAS6 monitoring results demonstrating that the device can reduce PFAS below 20 ng/L. See more detailed information on treatment systems in the Private Well Factsheet .

PFAS are considered to be "hazardous material" subject to the notification, assessment and cleanup requirements of the Massachusetts Waste Site Cleanup Program. A detailed Fact Sheet (below) provides guidance regarding when and how to sample and analyze for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances at disposal sites regulated under the Massachusetts Contingency Plan ("MCP", 310 CMR 40.0000).
Final PFAS-related MCP Revisions
Revisions to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan establishing notification requirements and cleanup standards for PFAS in soil and groundwater are now final, effective December 27, 2019. Documents related to these regulations are now available.

Takeback Program

MassDEP, in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (MassDFS), initiated a legacy "Aqueous Film-Forming Foam" (AFFF) collection and destruction program in 2018 that has collected (to date) more than 330,000 pounds (over 39,500 gallons) of legacy foam from 148 fire departments and facilities across the Commonwealth and MassDOT.

The pre-2003 versions of the foam use certain PFAS compounds, which have contaminated some groundwater and drinking water sources across the country. The take-back program ensures that these foams are removed from current stockpiles and appropriately neutralized.

In August 2021, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services and Department of Environmental Protection issued a joint Advisory for AFFF containing PFAS. A link to the Advisory can be found below.

Fluorine-Free Foam Information

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CTDEEP) and fire service in both states, has conducted a study involving the analysis of six aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) currently on the market and listed as "fluorine-free". Off-the-shelf foams were acquired by CTDEEP and provided to MassDEP's contract laboratory Alpha Analytical Laboratories, Inc. for PFAS analyses. Additional analyses, not specific to PFAS, were also conducted by Alpha Analytical Laboratories, Inc., Harvard University and Sterling Analytical, Inc.

A summary of this work may be downloaded below.

Overview
MassDEP regulates the land application of sludge and septage for beneficial purposes under 310 CMR 32.00. This includes:

treated biosolids (residuals) produced from sanitary wastewater sludge

drinking water treatment facility sludge

residuals from industrial facilities

short paper fiber

All residuals and sludge products sold, distributed, and land applied for beneficial reuse in Massachusetts are subject to an Approval of Suitability (AOS), which classifies residuals for different uses based on chemical quality and treatment to reduce pathogens. Each approval cannot be renewed for more than five years.

Since August 2020, MassDEP has required quarterly monitoring of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in residuals that have an Approval of Suitability (AOS) and are permitted to be reused through land application. This increased frequency in monitoring, which had been required annually since January 2019, was implemented to address the need for more information on PFAS characteristics in residuals. This data is uploaded to a public portal.
More information
For more information about MassDEP's regulation of residuals, contact the Residuals Program at massdep.residuals@mass.gov.

Overview
Facilities that treat wastewater that is discharged to surface water hold National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits and state Surface Water Discharge (SWD) Permits. In Massachusetts, EPA and MassDEP both regulate these facilities.

As NPDES permits are renewed, PFAS testing requirements are being added to the permits. The data is uploaded to a public portal.
Industrial facilities
Industrial facilities may be required to test for PFAS if the facility holds a NPDES/SWD permit, or if the facility discharges to a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) that holds a NPDES/SWD permit. Industries looking to decrease PFAS use can contact Massachusetts Office of Technical Assistance and Technology (OTA) for free and confidential pollution prevention assistance.

More information about PFAS monitoring for industrial facilities and how to work with OTA can be found on the MassDEP PFAS in Industrial Discharges page.
MassDEP projects:

Ongoing PFAS Pollution Prevention project - Collaborative effort of MassDEP, EEA Office of Technical Assistance (OTA), and EPA.

Analysis of PFAS in Massachusetts Rivers with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), August to November 2020. Sampling sites were located upstream or downstream of discharges from 24 wastewater treatment facilities and at 16 other stream sites, including sites downstream of suspected nonpoint and industrial sources and at sites not associated with suspected PFAS sources.

Ongoing study of PFAS in wastewater, in collaboration with the USGS, 2022 to present

More information
For more information about MassDEP's requirements for testing PFAS in Wastewater Facilities with NPDES-Permitted Discharges, contact the NPDES Program at massdep.npdes@mass.gov.

MassDEP's Watershed Planning Program (WPP) jointly funded a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water quality study to evaluate the presence of PFAS in Massachusetts' rivers and streams. USGS conducted three rounds of sampling at each of 64 sites in 27 rivers from August to November 2020 and analyzed the samples for 24 individual PFAS. Sampling sites were located upstream or downstream of discharges from 24 wastewater treatment facilities and at 16 other stream sites, including sites downstream of suspected nonpoint and industrial sources and at sites not associated with suspected PFAS sources. See "Additional Resources" for a summary of results and links to project information.

In the summer and fall of 2022, the Watershed Planning Program (WPP) initiated a study to collect surface water and fish tissue samples from 52 waterbodies throughout Massachusetts. The study focused on waterbodies near known or suspected sources of PFAS and also included six waterbodies in rural areas for comparison (i.e., "reference" waterbodies). Co-located surface water and fish samples were collected at each waterbody, and additional surface water samples were collected at a subset of waterbodies near beach swimming areas. In total, 66 surface water and 242 fish tissue composite samples (comprised of 948 fish) were analyzed for 40 PFAS compounds using the draft EPA Method 1633. See "Additional Resources" for a summary of results and links to project information.

PFAS contamination was identified in September 2020 through citizen science testing of a pesticide product for mosquito control. The U.S. EPA worked with MassDEP to investigate the source of the contamination. EPA determined that fluorinated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers that were used to store and transport a mosquito control pesticide product contained PFAS compounds that were leaching into the product.

For more information see: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USAEPAOPPT/bulletins/2b8444f

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Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

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Learn about a group of contaminants in the environment called Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Find out where they have been found and what Massachusetts is doing to address them.

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Africas water is very dirty and they are getting very sick 

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Africas water is very dirty and they are getting very sick 

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The other Health Crisis, Contaminated water

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Unsafe water is water that contains germs, parasites, or toxic chemicals. Harmful germs, parasites, and chemicals can get in water from many sources, including human or animal feces (poop), pesticides, and other chemicals. Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to the transmission of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and polio.

Diarrhea

Worldwide, diarrhea is the fifth leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years old. The leading risk factors for diarrhea among these children are childhood wasting (low weight for height score), unsafe water, and unsafe sanitation.1 The germs that cause diarrhea are commonly spread by food or water that has been contaminated with human or animal poop. This contamination can occur in the environment because of inadequate sanitation and inadequate protection of drinking water sources and food products. Contamination can also happen in the home through unsafe water storage and poor hygiene.

Neglected Tropical Diseases

Without access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), it also becomes difficult to prevent and manage neglected tropical diseases, such as schistosomiasis, trachoma, and Guinea worm disease. Neglected tropical diseases and limited access to WASH contribute to a cycle of poverty and disease. Reliable access to safe water, hygiene, and sanitation reduces the global disease burden.1

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Unsafe water is water that contains germs, parasites, or toxic chemicals. Harmful germs, parasites, and chemicals can get in water from many sources, including human or animal feces (poop), pesticides, and other chemicals. Contaminated water and poor sanitation are linked to the transmission of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and polio.

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Poor water quality impacts every aspect of life. The world relies on clean water to thrive, but low-quality water plagues communities across the globe. Frequently, new stories come out about unsafe water in towns all over the country. Homeowners in Indianapolis, Indiana, want to know their water is safe.

Mr. Plumber understands your concerns. Our clean water solutions ensure the quality of your water. We discuss what the negative effects of poor water quality are and how they are caused. We aim to clear up any confusion around water quality and give homeowners solutions to the problem. Our plumbers also give homeowners tips to reduce their water pollution impact.

Effects of Poor Water Quality

The consequences of low-quality water are scary to think about but require careful consideration. It's crucial for homeowners to know the full scope of the issue. The effects below are extreme circumstances. However, many experience these repercussions across the world. When water dips in quality, these are the potential results.

Bacterial disease. Water-borne bacterial diseases thrive in poor-quality water because bacteria grows best in polluted, stagnant water. Bacterial disease from water contamination presents with these symptoms-vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain. Cholera is one of the most well-known water-borne bacterial diseases.

Viral disease. Viral disease due to poor water quality is also possible. These diseases include hepatitis, gastroenteritis, poliomyelitis, and even some forms of cancer. Viruses in water occur when human and animal waste enter the rivers, lakes, and oceans. Some water-borne viruses have vaccines to prevent infection, but others don't have preventative medication yet.

Parasitic disease. Parasitic diseases are found in waste-contaminated water. Many parasitic diseases cause problems with the digestive system and lead to excessive vomiting and diarrhea. These diseases spread through both consumption and recreational use-swimming, boating, and other water-based activities.

Reproductive issues. Certain water contaminates impact the reproductive system in particular. Both men and woman experience the negative repercussions of low-quality water on their reproductive systems. However, in each circumstance, infants have lower birth weights and are often premature. Additionally, infertility may result from chronic exposure to poor-quality water.

Environmental concerns. Poor water quality unquestionably affects the environment in a negative way because it impacts plant and animal life. Plants rely on clean groundwater to sustain life, but pollutants lower the quality and kill plants. Additionally, animals drink fresh water from ponds, lakes, rivers, and the like. Those animals contract any disease in the water. This leads to the spread of illness in animals and death.

Death. In the most extreme circumstances, death is possible due to poor water quality. According to the National Resources Defense Council, 1.8 billion people died from water contamination in 2015. This number reflects the international number of deaths. These deaths are directly linked to diseases contracted via contaminated water.

Though these facts are shocking to most homeowners, they represent the worst possible outcomes. Some effects of poor water quality take time to develop, which is why these repercussions are so severe. Minor effects of poor-quality water include chronic low-level illnesses, headaches, and digestive problems.

Causes of Poor Water Quality

The causes of poor water quality relate to situations outside of most homeowners' control. Pollution, on the whole is the leading cause of poor-quality water, but there are some causes many don't know. The causes below are the most common reasons for poor quality water.

Agricultural waste. Waste from animal and food farms account for a large portion of water pollution. In addition, agricultural businesses are the largest consumers of freshwater. Rain moves fertilizer, pesticides, and animal waste from farms to our water sources such as lakes and rivers. When this happens, bacteria and viruses are more prevalent.

Sewage and wastewater. Used water, or wastewater, comes from our homes and commercial properties. This also includes stormwater and runoff from rainfall. Sewage and wastewater does go through facilities to clean the water for reuse, but the process doesn't always improve the quality enough to be 100% clean and safe.

Oil pollution. Poor water quality also exists because of oil spills and oil consumption in general. Gasoline and oil drip from vehicles onto the ground. When it rains, the oil and gas move from roads to bodies of water. Of course, major oil spill in the ocean contribute to this type of pollution as well.

Radioactive materials. Radioactive materials produced by power plants lower the water quality too. Radioactive materials live for thousands of years, which means their impact on the environment and humans last far beyond the near future. These substances cause multiple types of cancer in humans.

Urban development. Because urban development occurs at high speeds, regulation of pollutants is more difficult. Many factories dispose of their chemical waste in whatever body of water is closest.

Plastic pollution. Next, poor water quality also stems from the improper disposal of plastic items. Plastic doesn't break down in water, which means it stays there forever. Everyone disposes of plastics incorrectly from time to time, but it's important to remain diligent and reduce plastic consumption.

Thermal pollution. Lastly, thermal pollution negatively affects water quality because it raises the temperature of water across the globe. When the temperature of water increases, new bacteria and viruses grow. Marine plants and animals often die when temperatures rise because they aren't able to handle warmer water.

Solutions to Poor Water Quality with Mr. Plumber

Luckily, homeowners regain control of their water quality with some of Mr. Plumber's services. Poor quality water improves with preventative care from plumbers who know about the importance of clean water. Homeowners experience the benefits of the following services with the help of our expert plumbers.

Water quality analysis. Firstly, we carry out water quality analyses for homeowners across Indianapolis. We look for hard water, chlorine, and TDS-total dissolved solids-in these inspections. During our inspection, we diagnose issues with the water and propose solutions based on the needs of the homeowner.

Water softener inspection. Additionally, we perform water softener inspections to determine if the softener contributes to poor water quality in your home. We check the mechanical functionality, cycle regulation, and overall performance to make sure it works its best. We also include a complimentary resin clean to ensure the quality of the softener stays high.

Water softeners. Hard water refers to how much-dissolved calcium and magnesium is present. Hard water often leaves film or spots on dishes, dulls color in clothing, and leaves skin dry. Water softeners reduce the calcium and magnesium in your water, which improves the quality overall.

Reverse osmosis. Reverse osmosis systems are our plumbers' specialty. This process removes inorganic solids from water to make it cleaner overall. Water pressure pushes tap water through a semipermeable membrane which removes impurities such as fluoride, lead, and nitrates. When these impurities-and many others-are removed, the water quality increases.

Carbon filters. In addition, we use carbon filters to remove contaminates and impurities from the water. Carbon filters use activated carbon to remove chlorine, benzene, radon, and more. Plus, the carbon eliminates bad water smells and improves the taste.

Chlorine removal. Finally, our expert plumbers assess the chlorine levels in your water and propose a number of solutions to keep those levels low. Through carbon filters and reverse osmosis, poor water instantly increases because both remove significant amounts of chlorine from water.

Little Things to Improve Poor Water Quality

Along with the services offered by Mr. Plumber, homeowners reduce the effects of poor water quality with easy at-home tips. These methods not only improve your water quality, but they help raise the quality of water all over the world.

Reduce plastic use. One way to instantly improve water quality is to reduce your usage of single-use plastic. Though it's hard to avoid single-use plastic in today's society, try to limit how much you consume on a daily basis.

Dispose of waste correctly. Make sure to properly dispose of garbage, human waste, animal waste, and the like. Waste items often find their way to large bodies of water through rainfall, but there are some who dispose of waste directly into water. Never throw away trash or waste into bodies of water.

Limit use of pesticides. Additionally, limit your use of pesticides in your gardens and lawns. Pesticides contain harmful chemicals and contaminate groundwater. When it rains, those pesticides move from our lawns to lakes and rivers.

Don't dispose of chemicals down drains. Harsh chemical drain cleaners contaminate water supplies. The chemicals in these cleaners don't always filter out completely when they go through water filtration plants. Other substances like prescription medication and fats used in cooking require disposal without the use of drains.

Improve Your Water Quality

Poor water quality impacts homeowners across Indianapolis, Indiana, and the world at large. Though the causes of water pollution are often out of our control, there are some things we are able to do to keep water clean and safe. The plumbers at Mr. Plumber want you to feel safe when you use the water in your home.

For more information on our services, call us today. Our plumbers are here to answer your questions about poor-quality water. We also tell you how to combat its negative effects. We want your drinking water to be clean, so we offer extensive water quality solutions to reduce contaminates and impurities.

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The effects of poor water quality are more serious than you think. We use water every day, and low-quality water deeply impacts our health and the environment. In Indianapolis, Indiana, Mr. Plumbers offers reliable solutions to improve the water quality in your home. Call today!

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Ion exchange water filters are good for the removal of hard water minerals and radioactive material, as well as reducing lead﻿.

ion exchange filters consist of a substance that will exchange one ion for another as water flows through it. For example, ion exchange will replace calcium or magnesium ions, which cause water hardness, with sodium ions. This will “soften” the water.

Although ion exchange helps with hard water and some radioactive material, the filter does not remove organic material, particles, or bacteria as effectively as other filtration options. As a result, it should be noted that ion exchange is more commonly associated with water softeners than filters

($400-$3000)

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8 Mass. communities stopped putting fluoride in tap water over the past year due to supply shortages

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Fluoride shortages have impacted roughly 250,000 residents in Fall River, Holden, Medway, Natick, North Attleboro, Rutland, Shrewsbury and Swansea. Dentists say over time, suspending water fluoridation can affect oral health.

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A constant supply of clean drinking water is vital for every household. However, millions of people still lack access to this invaluable resource. As a result, some people have to use and consume water that contains dangerous contaminants. That could explain why more than 3.4 million people die from waterborne diseases every year.

Drinking polluted water exposes people to specific water contaminants that could lead to certain waterborne diseases. Water-related illnesses include waterborne diseases that are caused by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa. Some of these sicknesses also arise from the toxins produced by harmful algae and cyanobacteria. Other primary sources include chemicals from industrial and manufacturing facilities, agricultural and farming practices, human activities, and many more.

Humans may become exposed to these pollutants through different pathways, including drinking water, recreational waters, and fish and shellfish. What's even more frightening is that almost all of the contaminants potentially present in our drinking water are invisible to the human eyes. You might go years before realizing that a problem exists. Yet, these contaminants are responsible for some of the most aggressive forms of waterborne diseases plaguing our health.

In this article, we will cover 15 dangerous diseases caused by contaminated drinking water, their symptoms, causes, and what you can do to prevent them. Let's get started.

Sources of water contaminants

Water contaminants come from many different places. However, the primary sources are human and animal waste, and agricultural activities, including the use of fertilizers, and so on. Runoff and flooding resulting from unexpected increases in hurricane rainfall, extreme precipitation, and storm surge also increase the risks of contamination.

Water contamination occurs when agents of water-related illness and nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, leach from urban, residential, and agricultural areas into surface waters, groundwater, and coastal waters. Your drinking water can also become contaminated through chemical runoff from manufacturing and industrial factories. There's also the naturally-occurring pathogens and heavy metals that can enter groundwater sources. People who get their water from public or private wells are more susceptible to being exposed to pathogens.

15 Waterborne Diseases Caused by Water Contamination

Waterborne diseases are easily transmitted when you use contaminated water for various purposes like drinking, making ice, washing uncooked fruits and vegetables, and cleaning. Because of this, you must know the different diseases and the level of danger they pose.

Here are 15 waterborne diseases caused by water contamination:

1. Salmonellosis

People usually get infected with salmonella after ingesting food or drinking water contaminated with feces. When domestic or wild animals leave their feces in or near water surfaces such as rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, etc., the salmonella virus can then enter private wells, water tanks, or any other water supplies, especially after a flood.

The harmful waste can then combine with the water from various media, including polluted storm water runoff, agricultural runoff, and others. Besides, the disease can come from under cooked meat, egg products, fruits and vegetables, and other sorts of contaminated water and food.

The most common symptoms of salmonellosis include vomiting, fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, dehydration (common in infants), and others. However, sometimes individuals can be infected without showing any signs.

2. Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects the liver. You can contract the disease by drinking water that contains the hepatitis A virus (HAV) or by coming in close contact with someone who has the infection. Washing and eating foods prepared with contaminated water can also expose you to the disease. People who live in areas that have poor sanitation and hygiene management are more at risk of being exposed to the virus.

Some symptoms of Hepatitis A include abdominal pain, depression, nausea, fatigue, weight loss, jaundice, fever, loss of appetite, clay-colored bowel movements, and others. The infection usually subsides in a few weeks, but it can become severe and last for several months.

3. Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidiosis, AKA 'crypto', is an infection that targets the intestines. The microscopic parasite Cryptosporidium causes the disease. This organism lives in the bowel and is present in the feces of infected humans and domesticated animals like cattle, sheep, cats, and dogs. The infection usually spreads by ingesting contaminated food or water, or even by swimming and immersing in contaminated water.

People infected with crypto usually experience symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, headache, loss of appetite, etc. Some people infected with the virus may not develop any symptoms.

4. Typhoid

Typhoid is a life-threatening bacterial infection distinguished by acute intestinal ulceration and infection. The bacteria responsible for this dreadful infection is called Salmonella Typhi. It is the same type of bacteria found in some eggs and chicken. The infection is more commonly known as food poisoning or salmonella poisoning. It usually spreads when people consume contaminated water or food washed with contaminated water. A person suffering from typhoid can transfer harmful bacteria to their bloodstream and intestinal tract.

Some common symptoms of typhoid include persistent fevers (as high as 103° to 104° F, or 39° to 40° C), weakness, headache, loss of appetite, stomach pains, rashes or red spots, muscle aches, and sweating. Typhoid affects approximately 12 million people across the world every year.

5. Cholera

Cholera is an infection that primarily affects the small intestine. The bacterium responsible for this disease is known as the Vibrio Chloerae. The virus gets transmitted through the ingestion of water that contains traces of feces. When the untreated water goes through the sewage in waterways, it can affect the domestic water supply.

People affected by Cholera may experience symptoms, including dehydration, nausea, vomiting (lasting up to one hour for severe cases), profuse diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and headaches. If not treated correctly or on time, Cholera can cause death in some rare cases.

6. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is one of the most common diseases caused by water contamination. It manifests as a result of intestinal infection or food poisoning by drinking water contaminated with pathogens from animal or human waste. In most cases, it occurs due to the presence of waterborne bacteria, viruses, and protozoans. The disease usually results in the passage of loose, watery stools that can cause dehydration (loss of electrolytes) and death in young children and infants.

7. Dysentery

Dysentery is a waterborne disease characterized by severe diarrhea, as well as blood or mucus in the stool. It mainly affects the intestines and spreads through poor hygiene. It can also be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites in unsafe food and drinking water, and by people coming into contact with fecal matter. People with dysentery usually experience common symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, nausea, dehydration, stomach cramps, and pain, among others.

8. Amoebiasis (Traveler's Diarrhea)

If you like to travel, you've likely heard about a common waterborne disease that affects millions of travelers every year. It's called Traveler's Diarrhea (also known as Aztec Two-Step or Montezuma's Revenge). This disease generally occurs within the first week of traveling but might happen at any time along the journey. Heck, it can even arise after returning home. Eighty percent of Traveler's Diarrhea occurs because of bacterial enteropathogens, particularly the amoeba protozoa. It usually infects the large intestine as well as the liver. Amoebiasis symptoms include mild or severe diarrhea with mucus and blood. The infection spreads through the consumption of water contaminated by sewage, poor hygiene, and the presence of flies.

9. Cancer

Drinking water polluted with chemicals like methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and chlorinated solvents increase the risks of getting cancer when one consumes water from such sources. The substances are carcinogenic, meaning that they can damage the DNA and cause cancer tumors. The disease is associated with hefty medical costs, chronic pain, and even death. This deadly disease has claimed the lives of many people worldwide.

10. Fluorosis

Fluorosis is a condition that negatively affects the health of teeth and bones. This disease is usually the result of drinking ground or surface water with high concentrations of fluoride chemicals. The chemical naturally occurs in groundwater and affects millions of people across the globe.

11. Lead Poisoning

Lead can enter drinking water through old pipes and solders or through the discharge of toxic chemicals into water systems. Once ingested, the metal can cause lead poisoning in humans, one of the life-threatening diseases caused by water pollution. Children are especially vulnerable to this disease because of their body's ability to deal with elevated levels of the metal. Lead poisoning can result in numerous health conditions such as anemia, problems with the reproductive system, and high blood pressure. It can also affect the kidneys and the nervous system.

12. Arsenicosis

When you consume water contaminated with arsenic, you put yourself at risk of contracting Arsenicosis. Arsenicosis is a condition caused by chronic consumption of drinking water with small amounts of arsenic. The chemical poisoning of this disease occurs over the long term. The chemical may cause problems with the bladder, kidney, lungs, and skin, and which may lead to cancer. Arsnenicosis affects millions of people worldwide who depend on arsenic-contaminated water.

13. Liver and Kidney Damage, and Neurological Problems

Drinking water contaminated with chemical pollutants can lead to some cases of liver and kidney damage. Chemical contaminants such as MTBE and chlorinated solvents are two of the main culprits. These pollutants are associated with the inflammation of the liver, liver failure, kidney failure, or the development of kidney stones. They can also aggravate other diseases that require the support of these organs. Long-term exposure to drinking water laced with chemical pollutants is also associated with some neurological problems such as ADHD.

14. Trachoma (Eye Infection)

Trachoma is an eye infection that occurs through pathogenic sanitation and hygiene caused by the limited availability of clean water. It mostly affects children and women. Besides, about six million people worldwide have developed blindness because of the disease.

15. Polio (Infantile Paralysis)

Polio is a highly lethal viral infection caused by the polio virus. The infection spreads through water contaminated with feces from an infected person. When the virus enters the bloodstream, it targets and destroys the nervous system, which results in extreme weakness. In most cases, it causes paralysis. People without a polio vaccination are at a higher risk of being infected by the virus. The symptoms include fever, seizures, headaches, and paralysis at a later stage.

How to remove water contaminants from your tap water

As you can see from the list above, many different diseases can affect your health if you drink contaminated water. Also, notice that the majority of the diseases highlighted are caused due to the presence of pathogens in drinking water. Apart from adequately disposing sewage and practicing good hygiene, one of the best ways to avoid these illnesses and ensure your health and wellbeing (and that of your loved ones) is only to drink and use safe and purified water. But how do you remove possible contaminants from your drinking water and make it entirely safe for use and consumption?

There are many cities and communities in America where waterborne diseases are rampant and deadly, and little to no knowledge about prevention is widely available. For over 20 years, Springwell Water Systems has strived to manufacture some of the best water filtration systems on the market to provide the purest and safest drinking water for families across the country.

Our CF1 whole house filtration system with UV technology is the perfect solution to eliminate chemical pollutants and pathogens from your water supply. This system uses the highest quality catalytic coconut shell carbon and NSF-certified KDF media to target and remove contaminants like lead, arsenic, fluoride, chlorine, chloramine, pesticides, PFOA, PFAS PFOS, herbicides, haloacetic acids and more. It also comes with an optional UV filter that is proven to control microbiological issues in water, including bacteria, viruses, protozoans, E. coli, crypto, giardia lamblia, and many more. The UV system kills 99.9% of harmful pathogens that can cause dangerous diseases.

Furthermore, the CF1 combo system is easy to install and requires low maintenance. It also comes with a lifetime warranty that covers defects that occur during regular use, as well as a six-month money-back guarantee, in case you're not completely satisfied with this particular system.

Take the CF1 for a test run today. If you need more information, please visit our website at www.springwellwater.com or contact one of our friendly and knowledgeable customer service agents. You'll be happy that you did.

Verdict

Fresh, clean drinking water is a vital resource for every household. However, the rampant pollution of many of our water sources causes an extreme shortage of clean water for millions of people. Regrettably, they have no other choice but to use and consume polluted drinking water. Drinking contaminated water can lead to a host of deadly waterborne diseases. But thankfully, Springwell Water Systems have manufactured a unique line of robust water filtration systems to help tackle these contaminants and keep you and your family safe and secure. Reach out to us today to learn more about our products to see how we can help clamp down to those dangerous water-related illnesses and pollutants.

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15 Dangerous Diseases Caused by Contaminated Drinking Water - SpringWell Water Filtration Systems

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SpringWell Water Filtration Systems 15 Dangerous Diseases Caused by Contaminated Drinking Water Contamination

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E. coli has been found in the water of five different Massachusetts towns this month alone, including Wilmington, Mansfield and North Attleboro.

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Massachusetts communities concerned about water supply after recent contamination issues

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Residents across the state are becoming concerned about their water supply after several boil water notices in Massachusetts communities.

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Water Quality Standards Regulations: Massachusetts | US EPA

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Information related to Water Quality Standards for Massachusetts.

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Dirty water is dangerousEvery year 3,575,000 people die from water related diseases. This is equivalent to a jumbo jet crashing every hour. Most of these ...

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Whole-House Water Filtration Systems: You may pay as little as $850 for a carbon, mineral, or sediment filter, but one with an ultraviolet (UV) light element can cost as much as $2,900. A system that also integrates a water softener can cost up to $5,400.

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Activated carbon water filters reduce chlorine, chloroform, agricultural chemicals, organic substances, sediment, and magnesium.

This is the most common type of filter and is often used in conjunction with other filtration methods for maximum toxin removal.

($100-$5000) depends on type of filter

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