Drinking Water and Vulnerable Populations Protecting at-risk populations.

Overview Vulnerable populations are more likely to suffer ill effects from contaminated water Infants/children Pregnant women The elderly Individuals with compromised immune systems Groups with compromised immune systems can include Those undergoing chemotherapy Those who have had organ transplants Those with HIV/AIDS Knowing which contaminants may be in a particular water source is one of the best ways to protect vulnerable populations. Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

Did You Know? Common potential contaminants Pesticides E. Coli Cryptosporidium Nitrates Lead Standards set by U.S. EPA take into account the potential effects of various contaminants on different sectors of the population that may be most at risk. When a standard is set, EPA conducts a risk assessment to determine if certain groups may be more vulnerable than the general population. Standards are then set to protect the most vulnerable group. Pesticides EPA reports that 4.5 billion pounds are used annually in the U.S. Commonly found in drinking water sources at very low, non-toxic concentrations Sources include agriculture, home and garden use, application in schools, food residue, and most commonly contaminated water E. Coli Most strains are harmless Waterborne E. Coli can cause illness Most commonly found in animal and human fecal matter Can contaminate water supplies through malfunctioning septic systems, leaking sewer lines, or heavy rains which wash contaminated wastes into ground and surface water supplies Cryptosporidium Enters water supplies through sewage leakage or agricultural runoff contaminated with feces People with healthy immune systems may not become ill from exposure, or will usually recover within a few weeks May be fatal or cause serious health effects in those with compromised immune systems Nitrates Found in nitrogen-based fertilizer and manure that may run off into surface waters, or enter groundwater through natural deposits Health risk to fetuses Can cause blue baby syndrome, a potentially fatal condition in infants less than six months old which affects the ability of infants’ blood to carry oxygen Lead Developing fetuses, infants, and young children are particularly vulnerable Found in some paints, dust, and some drinking water sources Lead in drinking water is primarily a problem related to the corrosion of lead in plumbing fixtures in older buildings or service lines Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

What You Can Do Obtain a copy of your Consumer Confidence Report to see a list and levels of contaminants found in drinking water. Talk to your local health department about ways to deal with contaminants in drinking water. Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

Contacts Insert local contact information The Groundwater Foundation P.O. Box 22558 Lincoln, NE 68542-2558 402-434-2740 www.groundwater.org Insert your local contact information. Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.