Aesthetic Problems - Bad taste, Bad color, Bad odor- These are the most noticeable problems but they won’t necessarily hurt you.

Lead - There is virtually no lead in water at its source. Lead is picked up by lead service lines, by pluming in older homes, from soldered joints in copper pipes and brass fixtures. Lead can cause serious problems in infants and young children as well as adults.

Nitrate - Nitrate is more common in rural areas from fertilizer and manure. It is dangerous to young children and pregnant women.

Organic Chemicals - These are more often found in industrial and agricultural areas than other areas. Herbicides and other organic compounds end up in the water. Some organic pollutants are the result of water-chlorinization systems.

Pathogens - Microorganisms from decaying vegetation and human and animal wastes. Most home filters do not claim to stop bacteria. Chlorine added at water plants should eliminate most. If you have a private well system it is up to you to remove the pathogens.