Well water contaminants and consumer-based treatment systems : a resource for primary care providers : a resource for primary care providers

Abstract

An estimated 95% of rural residents use groundwater as their household water supply for drinking and everyday use. Public policy in Montana and through most of the United States dictates no rules about well water testing, only recommends testing be done on a yearly basis. Well water can contain lead, arsenic, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), synthetic organic compounds (SOCs), nitrates, and copper and many other possible contaminants. The choice of a consumer-based water filtration system should be based on the contaminant profile of the water source. Filter types vary in design and their contaminant removal profile, such as simple pitcher filters, activated carbon, and reverse osmosis, but many filtration systems can remove multiple contaminants and reduce the risk of exposures. The purpose of this project is to provide a list of potential contaminants and their health effects that have commonly been identified as contaminants in water samples in Gallatin County, Montana, as well as provide a comprehensive resource for consumers and health care providers to make decisions about well-water treatment.