Home Water Treatment
This page was archived in September 2013; see home page for current site status
Water treatment should not be a substitute for a properly designed, constructed, and maintained water supply. Preventing pollution is one of the most direct ways of reducing health risks from drinking water. For more information about the supply of water from private wells and from public (municipal) sources, also see the Wells and Supply page. It is important to keep in mind that no individual water treatment device removes every contaminant from drinking water. Depending on the severity of contamination, it may be necessary to replace your source of drinking water by developing an alternative water supply or purchasing bottled water. Some of these options can be costly and inconvenient, so it is important to have your water tested regularly and remain informed of community water quality issues and decisions. For more information see the Drinking Water Testing and Contaminants page.
If a contamination problem is detected, or if you question the safety of your water supply (public or private), you may choose to consider a home water treatment system. Before purchasing a home water treatment device, it is important to review a variety of product information to ensure that your final selection will meet your specific needs. For certain contaminants, some water treatment options may be inappropriate.
In New York State, water treatment device sales people are required by law to show verification of their products claims. In addition, there are third-party, nonprofit organizations such as NSF International that set performance standards for drinking water treatment devices, and test them for certification.
Please see our other pages for information on water treatment related to Emergencies, Travel, or Disinfecting a Well.
Links to Certified Products (NSF International, WQA, UL, etc.)
General Information on Water Treatment
Ion Exchange and Water Softeners
Membrane and Cartridge Filtration
Treatment of Specific Problems
Links to other sites about drinking water treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Under construction
My water smells like rotten eggs. Why? What can I do? This smell is usually due to hydrogen sulfide, a sulfur compound - see the sulfur information on the testing and contaminants page.
What is desalination?
Desalination is a process used to convert salt water to water that can be used for drinking, irrigation, and other uses. It is most common in coastal areas, and other areas where the supply of fresh water cannot meet the needs of the local population.
In 2001 there were more than 15,000 desalination plants worldwide. The biggest problem for widespread use of desalination is the cost, which is much greater than that for treating surface water or groundwater. Desalination requires a very large amount of energy, and produces large amounts of waste products. Most desalination plants are built next to power plants that deliver inexpensive reliable power to reduce energy costs. Some coastal areas, however, are also sensitive ecological areas.
There are two techniques for desalination. Distillation can be thought of as boiling water, and condensing the water vapor, leaving the salt behind. The biggest drawback of this technique is the fact that it can't remove volatile chemicals that evaporate with the water. The second technique is reverse osmosis. Water under pressure is pushed through a filter with very small holes, so the water can go through, but the salt molecules remain behind.
Can I get all the contaminants out of my drinking water?
Links to Certified Products (NSF, WQA, UL, etc.)
Please note that inclusion of a particular product does not constitute endorsement. We will add to this list over time.
NSF International Consumer Page - an independent, not-for-profit organization that test and certifies water treatment devices and chemicals, and provides general information about choosing water treatment products.
Drinking Water (NSF International)
Home Water Treatment Devices - this page has a very useful summary of types of products and what certification means
Lead and Home Water Treatment Options (NSF International)
Setting the Standards for Home Water Treatment
Selecting a Home Water Treatment Device (NSF International)
Why Water Filters Need to be Changed (NSF International)
Plumbing Component Information (NSF International)
NSF Certified Drinking Water System Components Search Page
NSF Certified Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals
NSF Certified Drinking Water Treatment Units Search Page. This site allows you to search by manufacturer, product type, and for reduction of particular contaminants. Be sure to scan through the whole results page as the same product may be listed under multiple standards (e.g., taste is under the aesthetic standard, while mercury is under the health standard).
General Information on Water Treatment
Guidelines for Purchasing Water Treatment Equipment (CCE Water Treatment Notes #1, 2005)
Importance of Changing Water Filters (NSF International, 2009)
Removing Multiple Contaminants from Drinking Water: Issues to Consider (excellent large poster from US EPA, 2007)
Drinking Water Treatability Database (US EPA)
Water Health Series: Filtration Facts (US EPA, 2005)
The History of Drinking Water Treatment (US EPA, 2000)
Drinking Water Treatment - general overview (US EPA, 2004)
Consumer Reports Product Reviews (in some cases a subscription or library computer access is required for complete articles)
Water Filters (May 2007)
Clear choices for clean drinking water - helpful article compares refrigerator, faucet, under-sink, reverse osmosis, whole house (point-of-entry), and bottled water (Jan. 2003)
Complete article (subscribers & Cornell users)
Which Water Choice is Right for You? - summary of results table in the full article
Printer-friendly version of article overview (easier to read)
Interactive version of article overview (with pop-up photos)Fit to Drink? - January 1990 issue has several articles on contaminants, testing, carbon filters, reverse-osmosis systems, distillers, and water softeners. Our office has some printed copies of this available.
Drinking Water Treatments (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Home Drinking Water Treatment Devices (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
What You Need to Know if You Are Told to Boil Your Drinking Water (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Drinking Water Treatment Systems (Utah State Extension, 2005)
Private Drinking Water Supplies: Quality, Testing, and Options for Problem Waters - 60pp., available from NRAES for $8.00 - see link for details.
Home Water Treatment - 120pp., available from NRAES for $15.00 - see link for details.
drinking-water.org Interactive diagrams and maps about water quality around the world, and treatment technologies National Academy of Sciences / Global Health and Education Foundation
Private Water Systems Handbook- 1979, 72pp., available from NRAES for $10.00 - see link for details
Reducing Potential Cancer Risks from Drinking Water: Part 2: Home Water Treatment Options (1998, BCERF Fact Sheet #7B)
Drinking Water Treatment: An Overview (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension)
What You Need to Know When Selecting Water Treatment Equipment (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2003)
Well Water Symptoms and Solutions (City of Ottawa, Ontario)
Home Water Treatment in Perspective (Penn State Extension, 2001)
Consumer Guide to Water Filters (Natural Resources Defense Council, 2005, also discusses other treatment techniques)
Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation
Ultraviolet Radiation for Disinfecting Household Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #10, 2004)
Disinfection of Drinking Water using UV light (CCE Water Bulletin, 2003)
Distillation
Distillation (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2003)
Chlorination
Chlorination of Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #5, 2005)
Chloramine as a Disinfectant (CCE Water Treatment Notes #17, 2004)
Continuous Chlorination (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2004)
Well Chlorination in Arsenic Sensitive Areas (Wisconsin DNR)
Aeration or Oxygenation
Activated Carbon
Activated Carbon Treatment of Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #3, 1995)
Global Environmental Technologies Inc - TerraFlo - water filters are recyclable - water is diverted from faucet above or below counter
Activated Carbon Filtration (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2003)
Ion Exchange and Water Softeners
Water Softening (Ion Exchange) (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2003)
Hard Water (CCE Water Bulletin, 2005)
Water Hardness: Explanation; Map; Map Legend (USGS)
Do You Need a Water Softener? (NSF International)
Solutions to Water Hardness Problems (American Ground Water Trust)
Do You Need a Water Softener? (American Ground Water Trust)
Does Water Softener Salt Cause Problems? (American Ground Water Trust)
The Problems with High Efficiency Furnaces, Water Softeners and Iron Filters Discharging into Onsite Sewage Treatment Systems (Univ. of Minnesota Extension)
Water Softening (Penn State Extension, 2001)
Hard Water - To Soften or Not to Soften (University of Kentucky Extension)
Hard Water (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2004)
Hardness in Drinking Water (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
What makes water hard and how can hard water be improved (Water Quality Association & Water Quality Research Council, 2000)
Guidance on Potassium from Water Softeners (Health Canada, 2009)
Magnetic Water Treatment Devices (Penn State Extension, 2001)
WQA Magnetics Task Force Report (Water Quality Association, 2001)
Membrane and Cartridge Filtration
Sediment Filtration (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2003)
Reverse Osmosis
Reverse Osmosis Treatment of Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #4, 2005)
Treatment of Specific Contaminants
Removing Multiple Contaminants from Drinking Water: Issues to Consider (excellent large poster from US EPA, 2007)
NSF Contaminant Guide - links to quick summaries on many contaminants (NSF International)
Cryptosporidium: A Waterborne Pathogen (CCE Water Treatment Notes #15, 2004)
Hydrogen Sulfide in Household Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #7, 1999)
Arsenic in Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #19, 2006)
Iron and Manganese in Household Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #6, 2005)
Iron in Drinking Water (Wisconsin DNR, 2005)
Iron Bacteria in Drinking Water (Wisconsin DNR)
Lead in Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #2, 2006)
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #18, 2005)
Perchlorate (CCE Water Treatment Notes #20, 2006)
Reducing Radon in Drinking Water (Penn State Extension, 2001)
Microorganisms Including Pathogens (disease-causing organisms)
US EPA's page on Pathogenic microbes in water
Drinking Water Supplies and Biological Warfare (CCE Water Bulletin, 2002)
Bad Bugs (Groundwater Foundation)
Microbial Contamination of Drinking Water (New England Interstate Pollution Control Commission)
Combating Waterborne Disease at the Household Level (World Health Organization (WHO), 2007) - water treatment at Point-of-Use (POU) in developing nations
Bacteria
Bacteria in Drinking Water (Ohio State Extension)
Bacteria (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Bacteria in Your Water (National Ground Water Association)
Total Coliform Rule in public drinking water systems - Basic Information (US EPA)
Coliform Bacteria (wellowner.org from NGWA)
Coliform Bacteria (Penn State Extension, 2007)
Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water Supplies (NYS Dept. of Health)
Coliform Bacteria and Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2006)
Coliform and E. coli Bacteria (American Ground Water Trust)
Blue-Green Algae (NYS Dept. of Health)
Blue-Green Algae (Cyanobacteria) and their Toxins (Health Canada)
Legionella: Fact Sheet (US EPA)
Legionella: Drinking Water Health Advisory (US EPA)
Mycobacteria: Fact Sheet (US EPA)
Mycobacteria: Drinking Water Health Advisory (US EPA)
Iron Bacteria - also see the section on Iron below
Iron Bacteria (National Ground Water Association)
Iron Bacteria (wellowner.org from NGWA)
Iron Bacteria in Drinking Water (Wisconsin DNR)
Protozoa including Cryptosporidium and Giardia
Cryptosporidium: Drinking Water Health Advisory (US EPA)
Cryptosporidium: A Waterborne Pathogen (CCE Water Treatment Notes #15, 1996, updated 2004)
Cryptosporidium Information page (US CDC)
Cryptosporidium Infection (Cryptosporidiosis) (US CDC, 2004)
Preventing Cryptosporidiosis: Guide to Water Filters & Bottled Water (US CDC) Cryptosporidium - includes life cycle and links to microscope photos (US CDC)
Cryptosporidium (US CDC)
Cryptosporidium - Guidance for People with Severely Weakened Immune Systems (US EPA)
Cryptosporidiosis Fact Sheet (New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection)
Cryptosporidium (Washington State Dept. of Health)
Giardia: Drinking Water Health Advisory (US EPA)
Giardia: Fact Sheet (US EPA)
Giardia Information page (US CDC)
Giardia Infection (Giardiasis) (US CDC, 2004)
Giardia - includes life cycle and links to microscope photos (US CDC)
Giardia (US CDC)
Giardiasis Fact Sheet (New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection)
Removing Giardia Cysts from Drinking Water (Penn State Extension, 2001)
Taste and Odor
Rotten egg smell - see hydrogen sulfide below
Color, Taste, and Odor Problems in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health)
The Taste of Ground Water (American Ground Water Trust)
Color, Taste, and Odor (Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection)
Color, Taste, and Odor Problems in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health)
Color and Solids Problems
Note - "milkiness" that clears up when water is left to stand may be due to very tiny air bubbles
Color, Taste, and Odor Problems in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health)
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Turbidity in Drinking Water (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Color, Taste, and Odor (Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection)
Color, Taste, and Odor Problems in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health)
Hardness, pH, Acidity, Alkalinity
Hard Water (CCE Water Bulletin, 2005)
Solutions to Water Hardness Problems (American Ground Water Trust)
Hard Water - To Soften or Not to Soften (University of Kentucky Extension)
Hard Water (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2004)
pH in Drinking Water (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Hardness in Drinking Water (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
What makes water hard and how can hard water be improved (Water Quality Association & Water Quality Research Council, 2000)
Water Hardness: Explanation; Map; Map Legend (USGS)
See water softener section on treatment page
Inorganic Contaminants - Sulfur Compounds
Hydrogen Sulfide in Household Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #7, 1999)
Sulfate in Drinking Water (US EPA)
Solutions to Sulfur Problems (Rotten Egg Smell) (American Ground Water Trust)
Hydrogen Sulfide (Rotten Egg Odor) in Pennsylvania Groundwater Wells (Penn State Extension, 2001)
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) (National Ground Water Association)
Hydrogen Sulfide in Drinking Water (Ohio State Extension)
Sulfates and Hydrogen Sulfide (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2004)
Sulfur (wellcare, from Water Systems Council, 2007)
Inorganic Contaminants - Nitrate and Nitrite
Nitrate: Health Effects in Drinking Water (1985, CCE Fact Sheet, print copies also available from us)
Nitrate (US CDC)
Nitrate in Ground Water (American Ground Water Trust)
Solutions to Nitrate Problems (American Ground Water Trust)
Nitrates (National Ground Water Association)
Nitrates in Drinking Water (Penn State Extension)
Nitrate-Nitrogen (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2006)
Nitrate and Nitrite (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Green Lawns and Safe Wells (American Ground Water Trust)
Nitrate and Groundwater: Why Should We Be Concerned with Our Current Fertilizer Practices? (Oregon State Extension, 2004)
Nitrate in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2007)
Inorganic Contaminants - Metals and Metalloids
Arsenic
Arsenic in Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #19, 2006)
Arsenic and Your Distribution System (US EPA, 2007)
US EPA's Arsenic in Drinking Water pages
Arsenic Fact Sheet (NSF/ANSI Standards 53 and 58) (NSF International)
Arsenic in Ground Water of the United States (USGS)
Arsenic (National Ground Water Association)
Arsenic (US CDC)
Arsenic (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2006)
Removing Arsenic from Drinking Water (Environmental Health Perspectives, 1998)
Arsenic (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Chromium
Chromium (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Copper
Copper (US CDC)
Copper (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Copper in Drinking Water (Wisconsin DNR)
Copper (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2006)
Copper and Your Health (Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection)
Copper in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2006)
Copper from Pipe Corrosion (EPA Water Distribution Research)
Iron and Manganese
Iron (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Iron in Drinking Water (Wisconsin DNR, 2005)
Iron in Drinking Water (Pacific Northwest Extension)
Also see the section on Iron Bacteria above
Iron from Pipe Corrosion (EPA Water Distribution Research)
Solutions to Iron Problems (American Ground Water Trust)
Solutions to Manganese Problems (American Ground Water Trust)
Iron and Manganese in Household Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #6, 2005)
Iron and Manganese in Private Water Systems (Penn State Extension, 2001)
Lead
Lead in Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #2, 2006)
Lead In Drinking Water (US EPA, links to many pages and documents)
Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities (US EPA; for now, focus is mostly Lead)
3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools (US EPA, 2006)
Lead (US CDC)
radio segment on aging public infrastructure (pipes) and lead in drinking water (Earth and Sky Radio)
Lead (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Lead in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2005)
Lead from Pipe Corrosion (EPA Water Distribution Research)
Lead and Drinking Water - Questions and Answers (Ontario Ministry of the Environment)
Protecting You and Your Family From Lead (New York City Dept. of Environmental Protection)
Lead and Plumbing (American Ground Water Trust)
Lead (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2006)
Get Ahead of Lead! Get the Lead Out of Drinking Water (NYS Dept. of Health, 2002)
Lead (DrinkTap.org from AWWA)
Lead Fact Sheet (DrinkTap.org from AWWA)
Straight Talk on Lead (DrinkTap.org from AWWA)
Dare you drink from a garden hose? (Consumer Reports 2003, partly a question of lead contamination)
Lead & Copper FAQ: Safe Drinking Water Act 1996 Amendments and the NSF Standard (includes info about plumbing components; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD))
Runs Better Unleaded: How to Protect Your Child from Lead Poisoning (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 1999)
Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 2003, pamphlet available in several languages)
Mercury
Mercury (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Inorganic Contaminants - Other
How well is your well? (National Drinking Water Clearinghouse, 2003, discusses several inorganic problems)
Nutrients in Drinking Water - info about drinking water consumption, and drinking water as a source of essential minerals
Sodium (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Bromate in Drinking Water - Information Fact Sheet (NYS Dept. of Health)
Fluoride
Fluoride in Drinking Water (American Ground Water Trust)
Fluoride and Human Health (Health Canada)
Also see fluoridation information in the section on public water supplies
Perchlorate
Perchlorate (CCE Water Treatment Notes #20, 2006)
Perchlorate (US EPA)
News about Perchlorate Regulation (Congressional Quarterly Politics, 2007)
Perchlorate Fact Sheet (US CDC, 2006)
Perchlorate (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Perchlorate in Ground Water (American Ground Water Trust)
Perchlorate (DrinkTap.org from AWWA)
Radon, Radium, and Uranium
US EPA's summary page on Radon in drinking water (note that radon from drinking water is a much lower risk than radon in air rising from the ground)
Radon (US CDC)
Radon in Drinking Water (American Ground Water Trust)
Radon in Ground Water (National Ground Water Association)
Reducing Radon in Drinking Water (Penn State Extension, 2001)
Radon (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Radon (wellowner.org from NGWA)
Radium (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Uranium (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Uranium (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2005)
Chlorine, Chloramine, and Disinfection Byproducts
Chlorination of Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #5, 2005)
Chloramine as a Disinfectant (CCE Water Treatment Notes #17, 2004)
Chlorine (American Ground Water Trust)
Chlorine (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Chlorination of Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2004)
Disinfection Byproducts from Chlorination of Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health2004)
Disinfection Byproducts (DrinkTap.org from AWWA)
DBPs Fact Sheet (DrinkTap.org from AWWA)
Straight Talk on DBPs (DrinkTap.org from AWWA)
Pesticides
Pesticides: Health Effects in Drinking Water (1985, CCE Fact Sheet, print copies also available from us)
Pesticides and Groundwater: A Guide for the Pesticide User (1989, CCE Groundwater Fact Sheet, print copies also available from us)
Vulnerability of public drinking water supplies in New Jersey to pesticides (USGS NJ Office)
Pesticides in the Nation's Streams and Ground Water, 1992-2001 (USGS 2006; full report, press releases, and summaries)
How Soil Properties Affect Groundwater Vulnerability to Pesticide Contamination (Oregon State University)
Understanding Pesticide Persistence and Mobility for Groundwater and Surface Water Protection (Oregon State University)
Pesticides (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Pesticides in Drinking Water (Wisconsin DNR)
Green Lawns and Safe Wells (American Ground Water Trust)
Pesticide Properties That Affect Water Quality (Texas Cooperative Extension, 1997)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
Includes gasoline oxygenates like MTBE; hydrocarbons like benzene; PCE; TCE. Trihalomethanes are mentioned in some of these publications, but covered in more detail under disinfection byproducts above.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) (wellcare, from Water Systems Council, 2007)
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the nation's ground water and drinking-water supply wells - a summary (USGS, 2006)
VOCs in the nation's drinking-water supply wells - what findings may mean to human health (USGS, 2006)
FAQ about VOCs (USGS)
National survey of MTBE and other VOCs in community drinking-water sources (USGS, 2001; explains use of MTBE as a gasoline additive)
Trichloroethylene (TCE) (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Benzene (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Fact Sheet for Gasoline Oxygenates in Drinking Water (NYS Dept. of Health, 2006)
Drinking Water and MTBE: A Guide for Private Well Owners (from Farm*A*Syst/Home*A*Syst, printed copies also available from us)
Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE) and Drinking Water (CCE Water Treatment Notes #18, 2005)
US EPA page on Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether (MTBE)
MTBE and Ground Water - What's it all about? (American Ground Water Trust)
MTBE (National Ground Water Association)
MTBE (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
MTBE (DrinkTap.org from AWWA)
MTBE Fact Sheet (DrinkTap.org from AWWA)
Methyl tert-Butyl Ether (MTBE) in Public and Private Wells in New Hampshire: Occurrence, Factors, and Possible Implications(research study published in Environmental Science and Technology)
Endocrine Disrupters, Pharmaceuticals, and Personal Care Products
Emerging Water Contaminants (wellcare, from Water Systems Council)
Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water Guide (NSF International, 2008)
Drugs in Drinking Water (CCE Water Bulletin, 2000)
Drugs in Your Water (American Ground Water Trust)
Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds (EDCs), Pharmaceutically Active Compounds (PhACs), and Personal Care Products (PCPs) (AWWA Research Foundation)
Endocrine Disruptors and Pharmaceuticals: Implications for the Water Industry (Southern Nevada Water Authority Las Vegas Valley Water District) - has good description of risk assessment, small concentrations, and public perception
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Drinking Water Supplies (The Groundwater Foundation)
PPCPs Threatening Water Quality (The Groundwater Foundation)
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) (DrinkTap.org from AWWA)
Are Pharmaceuticals in Your Watershed? (USGS, general description of studies underway)
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products as Pollutants (PPCPs) (US EPA)
Links to other sites about water treatment
New York State Department of Health - Drinking Water Protection Program
NYSDOH certifies environmental analysis labs. Commercial labs accept samples from the public (sorted by county, look for "potable water" testing).
Contact information for county health departments
Public Water Supply contact information
Title 10 - Health Rules and Regulations:
Part 75 - Standards For Individual Water Supply And Individual Sewage Treatment Systems:
Section 75.4 - Standards for Individual Water Supply Systems:
Appendix 75-B - Individual Water Supplies - Treatment Systems
Appendix 75-B.2 - Activated carbon treatment systems
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Ground Water & Drinking Water
For the Safe Drinking Water Hotline click here or call 1-800-426-4791
Water Systems Council - many links on supply page
wellcareŽ Hotline - or call 1-888-395-1033
U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
Pathogens (disease-causing organisms)
Cryptosporidium Infection (Cryptosporidiosis) (2004)
Preventing Cryptosporidiosis: Guide to Water Filters & Bottled Water
Cryptosporidium - includes life cycle and links to microscope photosGiardia Infection (Giardiasis) (2004)
Giardia - includes life cycle and links to microscope photosDrinking Water - Private Well Resouces - includes fact sheets below and others (all 2003)
SafeWater System (SWS) - water treatment assistance to the developing world
New York City Department of Environmental Protection - Drinking Water
Massachusetts Dept. of Environmental Protection
New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau
...Considerations When Purchasing Water Treatment Equipment (2005)
Reverse Osmosis Treatment for Drinking Water (2005)
Distillation Treatment Of Drinking Water (2002)
Ion Exchange Treatment of Drinking Water (2001)
Suggested Installation Practices For Drinking Water Treatment Aerators (2000)
Coliform Bacteria and Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2006)
Nitrate in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2007)
Copper in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2006)
Lead in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2005)
Cryptosporidium (Washington State Dept. of Health)
Chlorination of Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2004)
Disinfection Byproducts from Chlorination of Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health, 2004)
Color, Taste, and Odor Problems in Drinking Water (Washington State Dept. of Health)
...Consumer Reports Product Reviews (in some cases a subscription or library computer access is required for complete articles)
Clear choices for clean drinking water - helpful article compares refrigerator, faucet, under-sink, reverse osmosis, whole house (point-of-entry), and bottled water (Jan. 2003)
Complete article (subscribers & Cornell users)
Which Water Choice is Right for You? - summary of results table in the full article
Printer-friendly version of article overview (easier to read)
Interactive version of article overview (with pop-up photos)Fit to Drink? - Consumer Reports - January 1990 issue has several articles on contaminants, testing, carbon filters, reverse-osmosis systems, distillers, and water softeners. Our office has some printed copies of this available, or check your local library.
U.S. Department of Defense - U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine (USACHPPM) - Database of Commercially Available Individual Water Purifiers (Filters and Disinfectants)
Global Environmental Technologies Inc - TerraFlo - water filters are recyclable - water is diverted from faucet above or below counter
Taste, Odor, Color
Washington State Dept. of Health
The Green Guide - commercial magazine with some useful info
Chlorine vs. Chloramine in Municipal Water Disinfection (2004)
Should I Choose Reverse Osmosis? (2004)
Product Report - Water Filters (2002)
Are Brita Containers Safe? (2004, question about plastic leaching from the pitcher, response from NSF about safety)
Water Quality Association & Water Quality Research Council
Water Quality Symptom Search Engine
WQA Gold Seal Certified Products Search Page
WQA Water Information Library (a search page)
Contaminants - Recommended Water Treatment Technology
How to Treat Aesthetics and Hardness Problems
What makes water hard and how can hard water be improved (Water Quality Association & Water Quality Research Council, 2000)
What causes etching of my glassware in the dishwasher?
Does soft water affect the operation of a humidifier?
Should softened water be used for watering house plants or for sprinkling the garden or lawn?
Can potassium chloride regenerant wastes from a water softener be used for irrigating lawns?
Is soft water safe for tropical fish?
Can softened water be used for a steam iron? (use distilled instead)
The wellcareŽ Hotline - or call 888-395-1033
wellcareŽ Information Sheets (2003-2007)
Well Water Testing & Treatment
What You Need to Know if You Are Told to Boil Your Drinking Water
Drinking Water Testing Understanding Drinking Water Test Results
Drinking Water Treatments Home Drinking Water Treatment Devices
Health Canada
American Waterworks Association (AWWA)
Fact Sheets quick summaries of these and other topics
Disinfection By-Products Ozonation Membrane Filtration
Ultraviolet (UV) Light DisinfectionWater Quality Consumer Confidence Reports
Disinfection Byproducts DBPs Fact Sheet Straight Talk on DBPs
American Ground Water Trust - Groundwater Info - more publications (1998-2003)
Coliform and E. coli Bacteria Water Well Disinfection Procedure
Domestic Water Treatment for Homeowners
Point-of-Use (POU) and Point-of-Entry (POE) Water Conditioning
How to Choose a Water Conditioning Contractor
Chlorine Activated Carbon Filtration Ultraviolet Light Treatment
Solutions to Iron Problems Solutions to Manganese Problems
Solutions to Sulfur Problems (Rotten Egg Smell)
Fluoride in Drinking Water Lead and Plumbing Radon in Drinking Water
Nitrate in Ground Water Solutions to Nitrate Problems
Oil Storage and Wells MTBE and Ground Water - What's it all about?
Perchlorate in Ground Water Green Lawns and Safe Wells Drugs in Your Water
The Groundwater Foundation
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in Drinking Water Supplies
Home*A*Syst - An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the Home - program of many extension systems, based at Univ. of Wisconsin
View Table of Contents and Order a Home*A*Syst Manual (1997) from NRAES
Kansas Home*A*Syst Manual (Kansas State University, 1999, chapter 3 is on wells)
Article on poor particulate lead removal by pour-through point-of-use filters (e.g., Brita, PUR) - Environmental Science & Technology journal, 2007)
National Environmental Services Center, based at West Virginia University
National Drinking Water Clearinghouse - funded by the USDA Rural Utilities Service
On Tap Magazine (many articles linked above and on other pages)
Protecting Your Groundwater Source (2006) - includes info about well construction
Groundwater Remediation - Saving the Source (2003)
The Search for a High Yield Well (2003)
Emerging and Re-emerging Pathogens (2004)
A Lesson in Microbiology (National Drinking Water Clearinghouse, 2004)
Chlorine Disinfection Byproducts and Waterborne Disease: the Need for Balance is Essential (2004)
To Fluoridate or Not (2004) - public water supplies
Tech Briefs - includes these and others about plumbing and municipal systems
Preventing Well Contamination (2003)
Water Quality in Distribution Systems (2002)
Point-of-Use/Point-of-Entry Systems (POU/POE) (2003)
Filtration (1996)
Membrane Filtration (1999)
Disinfection (1996)
Radionuclides (2000)
Iron and Manganese Removal (1998)
Corrosion Control (1997)
Taste and Odor Control (2006)
International Drinking Water Regulations (National Drinking Water Clearinghouse, 2003)
How well is your well? (National Drinking Water Clearinghouse, 2003)
Corrosive Water Problems (Penn State Extension, 2001)
Nitrates in Drinking Water (Penn State Extension, 2001)
Removing Giardia Cysts from Drinking Water (Penn State Extension, 2001)
Emergency Procedures (University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension, 2004)
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