1. Drinking Water and Children
Good water for healthy kids.

2. Overview
Standards set by U.S. EPA are designed to protect children, adults, and vulnerable populations
Children are often not the most vulnerable group
Risk to children’s health is the most important factor considered when developing drinking water standards
Even though children have a greater risk for microbial contamination than the general public, several other groups are more at risk:
Those with weakened immune systems
Those who have undergone organ transplants
Those who have AIDS/HIV
Those undergoing chemotherapy
Standards for lead, nitrates, and nitrites are based specifically on their risk to children because they are the most vulnerable to these contaminants.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

3. Did You Know? Why Are Children More At Risk?
Young children drink more fluid per pound of body weight than adults
Very young children don’t yet have a fully developed immune system
Other organ systems continue to develop after birth
Children are less capable to fight microbes that may occur in drinking water, which can induce
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Dehydration
Systems continuing to develop
Reproductive
Digestive
Central nervous
Certain chemical contaminants may affect the development of these systems and affect
Learning
Motor skills
Sex hormones
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

4. Did You Know? Potential contaminants especially harmful to children
Nitrite/Nitrates
Lead
Microbial contaminants
Nitrite/Nitrates
Commonly found in fertilizer runoff, leaching from septic tanks/cesspools, erosion of natural deposits
Infants are at risk for blue baby syndrome, which affects the blood’s ability to carry oxygen
Nitrite/nitrates contaminated water should NOT be boiled for purification—it can increase the levels of nitrite/nitrates
Lead
May be caused by the corrosion of household plumbing systems, erosion of natural deposits
Children may also be affected by paint chips and dust from lead-based paint in older buildings
High levels of exposure can result in slowed physical or mental development
Lead contaminated water should NOT be boiled for purification
Microbial Contaminants
Found in human and animal fecal matter
Can enter a water supply through leaking septic systems/cesspools
Exposure may cause gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea and vomiting, which may lead to dangerous dehydration in children
Most problems are temporary in healthy children
Boiling water for one minute can reduce microbial contaminants in water
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

5. Did You Know? Special Protection for Children
1996 SDWA amendments added special protection for children
Private wells
Not required to monitor contaminant levels
Private well owners are strongly encouraged to have wells tested periodically
1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments
Requires EPA to further protect children’s health
Considers the special needs of children when identifying new contaminants
Continues research on children’s exposure to contaminants
Private wells should be tested for
Nitrate
Coliform bacteria
Wells may also be tested for other contaminants if a problem is suspected, such as
Radon
Pesticides
Industrial chemicals
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

6. What You Can Do
Read your Consumer Confidence Report to learn about potential contaminants.
Find out about your source of drinking water and get involved in activities to protect it.
Talk to your local water supplier and/or health department if you are concerned about a specific contaminant.
Arrange to have your private well tested on a regular basis.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

7. Contacts
Insert local contact information
The Groundwater Foundation
P.O. Box 22558
Lincoln, NE
Insert your local contact information.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.