Types of Water Contaminants and How to Remove Them

Drinking water is something we usually take for granted, but deeply rely on to live our everyday lives. Unfortunately, most tap water systems can have trace amounts of contaminants and unwanted pollutants in your water supply that could affect taste and may cause health issues. In addition, each state/county may have different types of contaminants due to several factors. Culligan Water is here to teach you about the main types of pollutants and advise you on how to treat them.

Water Contaminants Guide

Knowing the different types of water contaminants is the first step in strategizing how to treat each type. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there are four general categories of drinking water contaminants that we will be discussing.

• Physical – These contaminants can be noticeable to the naked eye and impact the appearance of the water. Some examples are soil, dirt, and algae.
• Chemical – Either naturally occurring or man-made, these organic elements can find their way into the water supply. Examples are bleach, pesticides, bacteria, toxins, and more.
• Biological – These contaminants are living organisms or microbes in the water. This can include certain bacteria, viruses, and parasites.
• Radiological – The rarest of drinking water contaminants; these are chemical elements that can produce harmful radiation, such as cesium, plutonium, and radiation.

Most tap drinking water will contain at least trace amounts of the above contaminants. Though the presence of some pollutants may not pose an immediate health risk, consuming them in large amounts could cause sickness or long-term issues. Talk to the experts at Culligan Water to learn more about the types of contaminants that could be in your water.

Common Water Pollutants in Oklahoma

Culligan Water has been serving Oklahoma for its water filtration needs for many years. Because of this, we understand the specific challenges of the region’s water supply and can help identify common pollutants in the area. Oklahoma City’s tap water is mainly supplied by surface water sources like Lake Atoka and Lake Hefner, meaning it is susceptible to agricultural runoff and other pollutants. In recent years, contaminants like chromium 6, arsenic, and lead have been found in higher concentrations in Oklahoma’s tap water systems. If you’re not sure what kind of pollutants are in your home’s tap water, call Culligan Water. We can send our team to provide free water testing so you can know precisely the kind of pollutants you’re dealing with.

Removing Contaminants From Your Water

We understand it can seem overwhelming when looking at all the potential pollutants that could be found in your water supply. Luckily, Culligan Water is here to provide high-quality solutions for the cleanest water possible. Drinking water filtration systems like our reverse osmosis systems can efficiently remove chemicals and other dissolved minerals from your water. This is accomplished by the multi-stage system pushing water through membranes to remove impurities, leaving water just as good or better than bottled water. If it’s not in your budget to get a drinking water filtration system, at-home remedies like boiling water or portable-size filters can help get the job done for less. Talk to our team at Culligan Water about what you need, and we can recommend the best filtration products for you.