You need 8 glasses a day, but do you know what is in your water? This slideshow takes a look at the top 10 contaminants commonly found in drinking water in the United States and what you can do to keep your family healthy. Is tap water safe to drink? The United States has some of the cleanest tap water in the world, treated by municipalities and governed by the EPA before arriving at your kitchen faucet. However, the municipal water treatment process is not perfect and water may pick up a variety of contaminants on its journey to your home. Watch this slideshow to find out what health risks you and your family could be facing.

1. Culligan Water
www.CulliganWater.com

2. • You need 8 glasses a of water a
day, but do you know what is in
your water?
• This presentation takes a look
at the top 10 contaminants
commonly found in drinking
water in the United States and
what you can do to keep your
family healthy.

3. • Chlorine is used to kill bacteria in drinking water and is
added to tap water by municipalities as a means of
sterilizing water.
• While typically safe in the levels added by
municipalities, chlorine in higher quantities can cause
eye and nose irritation, along with stomach discomfort.
• Chlorine in water can also cause problems in any
quantity for people with certain health conditions or
sensitivities to chlorine.

4. • Legionella is a harmful bacteria that causes
Legionnaire's Disease, an acute respiratory infection.
• It likes to live and breed in water heating systems,
which is why you should never drink hot water straight
from the tap.

5. • Lead contamination is more likely to be a problem for
those living in older buildings and some cities where
lead pipes are used to carry water into homes.
• Lead can leak into groundwater through natural ore
deposits in the environment or through corroded pipes
carrying the water.
• Exposure to high levels of lead in water can cause
developmental problems in young children.

6. • Discharge from petroleum, metal refineries and
mining operations can result in trace amounts of
selenium in drinking water.
• Long term exposure to selenium can result in hair loss,
skin problems, and brittle nails.

7. • Some water sources may contain
higher levels of iron. It's seldom
enough to cause health problems,
but can give water an unpleasant
look and taste.

8. • If you live in an agricultural area, you may be at greater
risk for exposure to nitrates.
• Nitrates commonly contaminate drinking water
through fertilizer runoff.
• Excessive levels of nitrates in water can cause
shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome in bottle
fed infants.

9. • Mercury is a common component in the manufacturing
of light bulbs, batteries and other household goods.
• Refinery discharges and runoff from landfills can lead
to increased levels of mercury in groundwater.
• Long term exposure to excessive amounts of mercury
has been known to cause kidney damage.

10. • Runoff from farmland may include bacteria from
animal droppings, which can sometimes find their way
into drinking water.
• These bacteria can cause a variety of stomach ailments
if ingested.

11. • A variety of industrial solvents and chemical compounds have
made the news for contaminating drinking water and
resulting in negative health effects (think Erin Brockovich).
• Perc, a dry-cleaning solvent, has been associated with
developmental problems in young children.
• You may also be ingesting a variety of harmful
pharmaceuticals.
• Prescriptions and over the counter medicines have been
found in trace amounts in city water.

12. • Arsenic is a very common component of toxic waste
and is allowed to be present in water in certain
amounts.
• Arsenic is a carcinogen and has been linked with
peripheral vascular disease and hyperkeratosis (an
unpleasant skin condition).

13. For assistance selecting a home water filter,
visit: www.culliganwater.com
• Home water filters are essential to
ensuring water contaminants are not
ingested by you or your family.
• For additional information on
contaminants in drinking water, visit:
http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants

14. Culligan Water offers a variety of water softeners and water
filtration systems in a range of sizes to fit your water needs.
www.CulliganWater.com
6030 Culligan Way, Minnetonka, MN 55345