Drinking water contaminants groundwater sources

Occupational exposure to higher than background levels of chloroform can be expected to occur in some occupations although few quantitative exposure data were located. Populations with the highest potential exposures appear to be workers employed in or persons living near industries and facilities that manufacture or use chloroform operators and individuals who live near municipal and industrial waste water treatment plants and incinerators, and paper and pulp plants and persons who derive their drinking water from groundwater sources contaminated with leachate from hazardous waste sites. 

Maximum Contaminant Level). In other samples plasticizers were not detected. Data show that some amounts of plasticizers are detected in drinking water plants, groundwater sources, and rivers worldwide, but these are usually in parts per billion concentrations... 

No information is available on the effects of intermediate-duration oral exposure in humans, but two animal studies (Boorman et al. 1986 Danse et al. 1984) provide sufficient data to identify the main target tissue (the stomach epithelium) and to define the dose-response relationship for this effect. These studies are suitable for derivation of an intermediate oral MRL, but further studies would still be helpful to search more specifically for possible subclinical neurological effects. This is important since neurological effects appear to be the most sensitive effect by the inhalation route, and people may be exposed to low levels of bromomethane in drinking water drawn from contaminated groundwater sources. No information is available on intermediate- duration dermal exposure to bromomethane. However, humans are not likely to experience significant dermal exposures to bromomethane near waste sites, so research in this area does not appear to be essential. 

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is designed to ensure that public water systems provide water meeting the minimum national standards for protection of public health. The act mandates establishment of uniform federal standards for drinking water quality, and sets up a system to regulate underground injection of wastes and other substances that could contaminate groundwater sources. (Surface water is protected under the Clean Water Act.)... 

Recent monitoring in the UK also revealed the presence of PFOA and PFOS in groundwater used for drinking water production. The source of this contamination was either pollution incidents (e.g., Buncefield explosion) or the vicinity of a local source such as an airstrip [67, 72]. Maximum PFOA and PFOS concentrations found in groundwater (i.e. influent of the drinking water treatment station) in this monitoring campaign were 230 and 152 ng/L, respectively. 

In many areas of the world groundwater is the primary source of drinking water. Unfortunately, groundwater supplies are increasingly contaminated with nitrate, which exceeds the maximum admissible value of 50 mg NOJ/L set by the World Health Organisation and European Community (ENV/91/24, March 18,1992). Water contamination by nitrate is caused by the intensive use of chemical fertilisers and untreated industrial and domestic wastewaters (Bouchard et al., 1992). 

Potable Water Treatment. Treatment of drinking water accounts for about 24% of the total activated carbon used in Hquid-phase apphcations (74). Rivers, lakes, and groundwater from weUs, the most common drinking water sources, are often contaminated with bacteria, vimses, natural vegetation decay products, halogenated materials, and volatile organic compounds. Normal water disinfection and filtration treatment steps remove or destroy the bulk of these materials (75). However, treatment by activated carbon is an important additional step in many plants to remove toxic and other organic materials (76—78) for safety and palatability. 

Is the facility located in an area of high (groundwater) sensitivity (for example, groundwater or surface water within 3 miles of site is used as a source for drinking water) Will manufacture of the product contribute to contamination of groundwater ... 

At the Taylor Road landfill (originally intended for the disposal of municipal refuse only), unknown quantities of hazardous wastes from industrial and residential sources were deposited. During the period when the landfill was active, soil and groundwater samples collected at the site were found to contain concentrations of volatile organic compounds and metals above acceptable safe drinking water standards. Analysis of samples collected from private drinking water wells indicated that contamination... 

When we refer to water purification, it makes little sense to discuss the subject without first identifying the contaminants that we wish to remove from water. Also, the source of the water is of importance. Our discussion at this point focuses on drinking water. Groundwater sources are of a particular concern, because there are many communities throughout the U.S. that rely on this form. The following are some of the major contaminants that are of concern in water purification applications, as applied to drinking water sources, derived from groundwater. 

Another groundwater contaminant that can be removed by reduction reactions is perchlorate. Ammonium perchlorate is a solid rocket fuel, and wastes from its manufacturing have contaminated some irrigation and drinking water sources, among them the lower Colorado River in the American Southwest. Elevated perchlorate levels have been linked to human health effects, and because perchlorate has been found in vegetable crops such as lettuce, there is concern that this contamination could have serious consequences. 

The MCL for TCE (5 pg/L) has been determined to be a relevant and appropriate remediation level for the contaminated groundwater at this site because the groundwater is used as a source for drinking water. Based on the site-specific risk assessment, the MCL has been determined to be sufficiently protective as the aquifer remediation goal. 

MTBE has been detected nationwide in soil and groundwater. Federal and state studies have found that MTBE contamination has reached drinking water sources in many locations, including areas where the use of oxygenated fuel has not been mandated.9 This MTBE contamination has also been documented in surface water bodies resulting from direct spills, storm water runoff, and emissions from watercraft. Additional information on the extent of contamination by MTBE can be found in several references of federal and state studies.9-13... 

As a result of these sampling efforts two locations (Bruno, Nebraska and Waverly, Nebraska were placed on EPA s National Priorities List (NPL) for clean-up of carbon tetrachloride contamination. The EPA entered into an Administrative Order on Consent with USDA for the groundwater contamination at Murdock, Nebraska. All locations that had detections that exceeded the drinking water standard were provided alternate sources of drinking water (i.e., bottled water, connection to public water supply). 

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