What Causes Water Contamination (And What To Do About It)
You turn on the tap and expect clear, clean, safe water. But the truth is that contamination can sneak into your water supply in all kinds of ways—some obvious, some downright surprising. Whether you’re on a private well or hooked into the city line, your drinking water could be at risk.
Let’s look at the most common causes of water contamination and what you can do to protect yourself.
Old Corroded Pipes
Let’s start with an issue that’s literally under your feet. If your home has older plumbing, your pipes could be contributing to water contamination and poor water quality. Corroded pipes can leach lead, copper, and even rust into your water supply.
What you can do
If your home was built before 1986 (the year lead pipes were banned), consider getting your plumbing inspected. A full re-pipe might be worth the investment. In the meantime, a point-of-use water filter or whole-home filtration system can catch heavy metals and keep your water safe.
Agricultural Runoff
If you live in or near a rural area, this one’s a biggie. When it rains, pesticides and animal waste from farms can wash into nearby rivers, lakes, or underground aquifers. That runoff can eventually make its way into your drinking water.
What you can do
If you’re on a private well, you’ll want to test your water regularly, at least once a year, or more often if you notice changes in the way your water smells or tastes. For added protection, consider a reverse osmosis system or filtration unit designed to remove nitrates, herbicides, and bacteria.
Industrial Pollution
Even if you don’t live near a factory, chemicals from industrial plants can travel far and wide. Heavy metals, solvents, and other toxic substances have a nasty habit of sticking around in the environment—and sometimes they end up in your water supply.
What you can do
Private well owners must be especially vigilant. Regular water testing is your first line of defense. If you suspect contamination, stop drinking the water immediately and contact a professional. UV disinfection systems and chlorination can kill most biological contaminants.
Stormwater Runoff
Not all water contamination is caused by people. In some areas, minerals like arsenic, radon, and manganese occur naturally in the soil and can leach into groundwater. Just because it’s “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe.
What you can do
Check your area’s water quality reports or get your well water tested. Depending on the results, a specialty filter (one for arsenic or iron) can help. Don’t assume that clear water equals clean water—some of the most dangerous contaminants are completely invisible.
Water contamination is more common than people think, but the good news is that you don’t have to just live with it or waste hundreds of dollars on bottled water. Regular testing, good plumbing maintenance, and a reliable water treatment system can give you peace of mind and cleaner, healthier, and better-tasting water.
How Safe is Your Drinking Water?
Call Tri-Florida Water Treatment today to find out. We’re your trusted partner for expert water treatment services in Polk County and the surrounding areas. We offer professional water systems designed to ensure your water is clean, safe, and healthy. Get in touch with us and let us put our 30-plus years of experience to work for you!