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Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes from? While most people never think about the sources of their water, those sources play a big role in drinking water quality.

Early in human history, people learned the importance of a constant supply of clean water. Consequently, the earliest civilizations developed near sources of clean water.

As time passed, other factors influenced the location of communities. This meant that the water sources were often many miles from the communities. These communities developed delivery systems, such as aqueducts, to bring water from these distant sources.

The water we use each day comes from four major sources. These sources are (1) Deep Groundwater, (2) Shallow Groundwater, (3) Upland Lakes and Reservoirs, and (4) Rivers, Canals, and Lowland Reservoirs. Whatever the water source, the entire watershed (that is, the entire land area over which water flows into the water source) contributes to the quality of water taken from it. Activities many miles away may affect water quality.

As with surface water, remember that activities many miles away from you may affect the quality of ground water.

Both public and private water supplies can be drawn from a variety of sources. Different sources of raw water demand different treatment methods to render it fit for human consumption.

Deep Groundwater Sources. . .

Deep groundwater describes those waters trapped in aquifers and natural reservoirs deep under ground. These aquifers may be only a few miles wide, or may span the borders of many states.

The water emerging from some deep groundwater sources may have fallen as rain many decades or even hundreds of years ago. Soil and rock layers will naturally filter the groundwater to a high; degree of clarity. Deep groundwater may emerge as springs. In places where the water does not emerge as springs, water suppliers will often bore wells to extract it.

Deep groundwater has a reputation for being pure. However, naturally pure water does not exist. Because this water passed through layers of soil and rock, it may be rich in dissolved solids. This water often contains dissolved carbonates and sulfates. Depending on the strata through which the water has flowed, other ions may also be present. These could include chloride and bicarbonates. Often the presence of iron or manganese makes it unpleasant for drinking, cooking, and laundry use.

In addition, these deep groundwater sources are recharged with surface water seepage. Consequently, this seepage introduces industrial, chemical, animal and human contaminants into the water.

Shallow Groundwater Sources . . .

While deep groundwater lays far below ground level, shallow groundwater travels in streams within a few hundred feet of ground level. Access to shallow groundwater is usually through wells or boreholes. The bacteriological quality can vary depending on the nature of the underground reservoir. A variety of soluble materials may be present including potentially toxic metals such as copper or zinc. In some places, shallow ground water sources contain unacceptably high levels of Arsenic contamination.

Upland lakes and Reservoirs . . .

Typically, municipalities place upland reservoirs in the headwaters of river systems, above any human habitation. They often surround them by some form of protection zone to restrict the opportunities for contamination. Bacterial and pathogen levels are usually low, but some bacteria, protozoa and algae will be present. Where uplands are forested or are peaty, hemic acids can give the water a brown color. Many upland sources have low pH which requires adjustment before the water enters the supply.

Rivers, Canals and low-land Reservoirs . . .

Lowland surface waters are the most visible of all water sources. These waters flow in our rivers and streams, ponds and lakes. Falling rain feeds these waters. As the rain falls, it collects pollutants from the air, filters through municipal landfills and farmlands, and washes oils and other automotive residues from streets and roadways. In addition, industrial wastes often find their way into these waters.

Consequently, these waters carry a significant load of bacterial and industrial contaminants.

Conclusion . . .

Since there is no such thing as naturally pure water, public water treatment facilities bear the heavy burden of neutralizing waterborne contaminants. Despite their efforts, some contaminants escape ending in your tap water. Their presence may result in nothing more serious than discoloring the water. On the other hand it may pose serious hazards to your health. Therefore, we recommend the use of a home water filtration system to assure that your water is clean. For information on our home water filters, go to http://calvertmarketing.envirowize.com.