1. Health Effects of Contaminated Drinking Water
Chronic health effects.

2. Overview Two types of health effects from contaminated drinking water
Acute
Chronic
Chronic health effects are generally caused by long-term exposure to chemical contaminants
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

3. Overview Contaminants causing chronic effects:
Pesticides
Disinfection byproducts
Commercial/industrial solvents
Radionuclides
Lead and other metals
Vulnerable populations are more at risk
Chronic health effects can include:
birth defects
cancer
nervous disorders such as spasms or tremors
liver, kidney, spleen or eye damage
impairment of speech, hearing, vision, memory or coordination
stroke
weight loss
cardiovascular damage
retinal or muscle degeneration
anemia
Vulnerable populations are more likely to suffer ill effects from contaminated water, or to suffer ill effects before the general population. Vulnerable populations include infants/children, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with other medical conditions such as compromised immune systems.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

4. Did You Know?
Surface waters are especially vulnerable to contamination from:
Runoff
Spills
Industrial discharges
Groundwater can be contaminated through:
Leaky landfills or underground storage tanks
Failing septic systems
Improperly constructed, maintained, or abandoned wells
Hydrologic connections to contaminated surface water
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

5. Did You Know?
Boiling water usually concentrates, rather than eliminates, contaminants that cause chronic health effects.
Atrazine, which is a weed killer, is the most commonly detected pesticide in surface and groundwater in the US.
Atrazine is especially common in crop-producing Midwestern states. Pesticide levels in water are often higher in spring and early summer.
Good Water. Good Health. Good Choices.

6. What You Can Do
Private well owners should have their water tested annually.
Municipal water users can learn more about how their drinking water source is protected from contamination, and how water is treated and monitored by their water utility.
If you choose home water treatment, learn what contaminants the system treats.
Join with others to prevent contamination of drinking water sources.
Generally, well owners are advised to have their water tested by a state certified laboratory once per year, or more often if they are concerned about the odor or taste of their water, or if water users are experiencing unexplained illnesses.
If you chose a home water treatment system, be sure it is certified to treat the particular contaminant you’re concerned about. Then, maintain the system according to the instructions.
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.