Minnesota Drinking Water Contaminants
There are over 7,500 drinking water contaminants that have been discovered in the United States. We have listed the most common contaminants that contribute to Total Dissolved Solids found in Minnesota city and well water. The EPA classifies these contaminants into groups which have been color coded to make your research easier:
Organic Contaminants (blue)
Many herbicides and pharmaceuticals are organic-based compounds. Water treatment for organics depends largely on contact time within a filter: the slower the water flows through the system, the better the removal. Because they absorb through skin so easily, DMT Systems, Whole-House Filters or Whole House Reverse Osmosis Systems are highly recommended. Organic contaminants can enter the body in several ways:
- Ingestion from drinking and cooking water
- Inhalation during baths, showers, and cleaning
- Absorption through skin (as much as 8x more than through ingestion)
Inorganic Contaminants (red)
Metals like Arsenic and Lead are popular inorganic compounds. Carbon-based filters have virtually zero impact on inorganics, while Reverse Osmosis, or Whole House Reverse Osmosis Systems are extremely effective. Inorganic contaminants mainly enter the body in two ways:
- Ingestion from drinking and cooking water
- Inhalation during baths, showers, and cleaning
Microorganisms (brown)
Microorganisms in water cover a broad range of bacteria, virus, and cysts. Chlorine Injection Filter Systems are effective at killing most bacteria and virus, but are not effective for cysts like cryptosporidium. Ultrafiltration Systems and Ultraviolet Treatment Systems are extremely effective for all types. Microorganisms mainly enter the body in two ways:
- Ingestion from drinking and cooking water
- Inhalation during baths, showers, and cleaning
Radionuclides (purple)
Less common in Minnesota, water treatment for radionucliides can be accomplished with adsorptive media like carbon, but carbon filters may become radioactive and require special disposal. Systems using aeration with venting are preferred. like: Radionucliides can enter the body in several ways:
- Ingestion from drinking and cooking water
- Inhalation during baths, showers, and cleaning
Disinfectants (yellow)
Disinfects are not naturally occuring in Minnesota ground water, but instead are added by city water treatment facilities to kill microbes in the water. Water treatment for disinfectants is very similar to organics, and depends largely on contact time within a filter. Because they absorb through skin so easily, DMT Systems, Whole-House Filters or Whole House Reverse Osmosis Systems are highly recommended. Organic contaminants can enter the body in several ways:
- Ingestion from drinking and cooking water
- Inhalation during baths, showers, and cleaning
- Absorption through skin
Disinfectant Byproducts (green)
When disinfects are are added to water, they react with organic matter to form new compounds. Water treatment for disinfectant byproducts is very similar to organics, but requires substantially longer contact time within a filter. Because they absorb through skin so easily, DMT Systems, Whole-House Filters or Whole House Reverse Osmosis Systems are highly recommended. Organic contaminants can enter the body in several ways:
- Ingestion from drinking and cooking water
- Inhalation during baths, showers, and cleaning
- Absorption through skin
| Contaminant | Common Source | Potential Effect | Safe Level | State Limit | Treatment Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylamide | Added to water during wastewater treatment | Nervous system or blood problems; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | NA | RO, Carbon |
| Alachor | Runoff from herbicide used on row crops | Eye, liver, kidney or spleen problems; anemia; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.002 | RO, Carbon |
| Alpha Particles | Erosion of natural deposits that are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation | Increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 15.0 | RO, Air stripping |
| Antimony | Discharge from refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder | Increase in blood cholesterol; decrease in blood sugar | 0.006 | 0.006 | RO |
| Arsenic | Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics production wastes | Skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may have increased risk of getting cancer | 0.0 | 0.010 | RO, Arsenic media |
| Atrazine | Runoff from herbicide used on row crops | Cardiovascular system or reproductive problems | 0.003 | 0.003 | RO, Carbon |
| Barium | Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits | Increase in blood pressure | 2.0 | 2.0 | RO |
| Benzene | Discharge from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills | Anemia; decrease in blood platelets; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.005 | RO, Carbon |
| Beryllium | Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries | Intestinal lesions | 0.004 | 0.004 | RO |
| Beta Particles | Decay of natural and man-made deposits that are radioactive and may emit forms of radiation known as photons and beta radiation | Increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 4.0 | RO |
| Bromate | Byproduct of drinking water disinfection | Increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.010 | RO, Carbon |
| Cadmium | Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints | Kidney damage | 0.005 | 0.005 | RO |
| Carbon tetrachloride | Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.005 | RO, Carbon |
| Chloramines | Water additive made from chlorine and ammonia used to control microbes | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort; anemia | 4.0 | 4.0 | RO, Carbon |
| Chlordane | Residue of banned termiticide | Liver or nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.002 | RO, Carbon |
| Chlorine | Water additive used to control microbes | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort | 4.0 | 4.0 | RO, Carbon |
| Chlorobenzene | Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories | Liver or kidney problems | 0.1 | 0.1 | RO, Carbon |
| Chromium | Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits | Allergic dermatitis | 0.1 | 0.1 | RO |
| Copper | Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits | Gastrointestinal distress. Liver or kidney damage. | 1.3 | 1.3 | RO |
| Cryptosporidium | Human and animal fecal waste | Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) | 0.0 | 0.0 | RO, Ultrafiltration |
| Cyanide | Discharge from steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertilizer factories | Nerve damage or thyroid problems | 0.2 | 0.2 | RO |
| 2,4-D | Runoff from herbicide used on row crops | Kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems | 0.07 | 0.07 | RO, Carbon |
| 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) | Runoff from soil fumigant used on soybeans, cotton, and orchards | Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.0002 | RO, Carbon |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | Increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.005 | RO, Carbon |
| Dichloromethane | Discharge from drug and chemical factories | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.005 | RO, Carbon |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | Increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.005 | RO, Carbon |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate | Discharge from rubber and chemical factories | Reproductive difficulties; liver problems; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.006 | RO, Carbon |
| Dinoseb | Runoff from herbicide used on soybeans and vegetables | Reproductive difficulties | 0.007 | 0.007 | RO, Carbon |
| Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) | Emissions from waste incineration and other combustion; discharge from chemical factories | Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.00000003 | RO, Carbon |
| Diquat | Runoff from herbicide use | Cataracts | 0.02 | 0.02 | RO, Carbon |
| Endothall | Runoff from herbicide use | Stomach and intestinal problems | 0.1 | 0.1 | RO, Carbon |
| Endrin | Residue of banned insecticide | Liver problems | 0.002 | 0.002 | RO, Carbon |
| Ethylbenzene | Discharge from petroleum refineries | Liver or kidney problems | 0.7 | 0.7 | RO, Carbon |
| Ethylene dibromide | Discharge from petroleum refineries | Problems with liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidneys; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.00005 | RO, Carbon |
| Fluoride | Water additive; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories | Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); children may get mottled teeth | 4.0 | 4.0 | RO |
| Giardia lamblia | Human and animal fecal waste | Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) | 0.0 | 0.0 | RO, Ultrafiltration |
| Glyphosate | Runoff from herbicide use | Kidney problems; reproductive difficulties | 0.7 | 0.7 | RO, Carbon |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | Byproduct of drinking water disinfection | Increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.060 | RO, Carbon |
| Hard Water | Mineral leached from calcite, dolomite, and gypsum | Damage to water heaters, appliances, and fixtures. Could increase kidney stones. | NA | NA | Water Softener |
| Heptachlor | Residue of banned termiticide | Liver damage; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.0004 | RO, Carbon |
| Hexachlorobenzene | Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories | Liver or kidney problems; reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.001 | RO, Carbon |
| Iron | Erosion of natural deposits | Damage to water heaters, water softeners, appliances, and fixtures. | NA | 0.3 | Iron Filter |
| Lead | Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits | Delays in physical or mental development in infants and children; slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities; Kidney problems; high blood pressure | 0.0 | 0.015 | RO |
| Legionella | Found naturally in water; multiplies in heating systems | Legionnaire’s Disease, a type of pneumonia | 0.0 | 0.0 | RO, UV, Ultrafiltration, Chlorination, Ozonation |
| Lindane | Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cattle, lumber, gardens | Liver or kidney problems | 0.0002 | 0.0002 | RO, Carbon |
| Manganese | Erosion of natural deposits | Black staining, damage to water heater, plumbing, appliances, fixtures, clothing, decreased IQ in children | .03 | .05 | RO, Carbon, Iron Filter |
| Mercury | Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and croplands | Kidney damage | 0.002 | 0.002 | RO |
| Methoxychlor | Insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, livestock | Reproductive difficulties | 0.04 | 0.04 | RO, Carbon |
| Nitrate | Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits | Infants below the age of six months could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and “blue baby” syndrome. | 10.0 | 10.0 | RO, Nitrate filter |
| Nitrite | Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits | Infants below the age of six months could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and “blue baby” syndrome. | 1.0 | 1.0 | RO |
| Oxamyl (Vydate) | Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on apples, potatoes, and tomatoes | Slight nervous system effects | 0.2 | 0.2 | RO, Carbon |
| Pentachlorophenol | Discharge from wood-preserving factories | Liver or kidney problems; increased cancer risk | 0.0 | 0.001 | RO, Carbon |
| Perchlorate | Rocket fuel additive, fertilizer, natural salts | Endocrine disruptor, Disrupts Thyroid function | 0.0 | 0.001 | RO, Anion Exchange |
| Picloram | Herbicide runoff | Liver problems | 0.5 | 0.5 | RO, Carbon |
| Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | Runoff from landfills; discharge of waste chemicals | Skin changes; thymus gland problems; immune deficiencies; reproductive or nervous system difficulties; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.0005 | RO, Carbon |
| Radium 226 and Radium 228 | Erosion of natural deposits | Increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 5.0 | RO, Air stripping |
| Simazine | Herbicide runoff | Problems with blood | 0.004 | 0.004 | RO, Carbon |
| Tetrachloroethylene | Discharge from factories and dry cleaners | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.005 | RO, Carbon |
| Thallium | Leaching from ore-processing sites; discharge from electronics, glass, and drug factories | Hair loss; changes in blood; kidney, intestine, or liver problems | 0.0005 | 0.002 | RO |
| Total Coliforms (including fecal coliform and E. coli) | Coliforms are naturally present in the environment as well as feces; fecal coliforms and E. coli only come from human and animal fecal waste | Not a health threat in itself; it is used to indicate whether other potentially harmful bacteria may be present | 0.0 | 5.0 | Ultrafiltration, Ozone, Chlorination |
| (TTHMs) Total Trihalomethanes | Byproduct of drinking water disinfection | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.080 | RO, Carbon |
| Toxaphene | Runoff/leaching from insecticide used on cattle | Kidney, liver, or thyroid problems; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.003 | RO, Carbon |
| 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) | Residue of banned herbicide | Liver problems | 0.05 | 0.05 | RO, Carbon |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | Discharge from industrial chemical factories | Liver, kidney, or immune system problems | 0.003 | 0.005 | RO, Carbon |
| Trichloroethylene | Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.005 | RO, Carbon |
| Turbidity | Soil runoff | Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. Higher turbidity levels are often associated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, parasites and some bacteria. These organisms can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. | 0.0 | NA | RO, Ultrafiltration |
| Uranium | Erosion of natural deposits | Increased risk of cancer, kidney toxicity | 0.0 | 30.0 | RO, Air stripping |
| Vinyl chloride | Leaching from PVC pipes; discharge from plastic factories | Increased risk of cancer | 0.0 | 0.002 | RO, Carbon |
| Viruses (enteric) | Human and animal fecal waste | Gastrointestinal illness (e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, cramps) | 0.0 | NA | RO, Ultrafiltration, Ozone, Chlorination |
| Xylenes (total) | Discharge from petroleum factories; discharge from chemical factories | Nervous system damage | 10.0 | 10.0 | RO, Carbon |