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Drinking Water Contamination
Drinking Water Contamination
Drinking water is healthy! But drinking water can become contaminated through natural and human activity. Contaminated drinking water can be unhealthy. Learn more by visiting the US Environmental Protection Agency Report on the Environment Drinking Water page.
How Water is Contaminated
Natural sources. Naturally-occurring contaminants can be found in rocks and soil that groundwater and surface water run through or over. This water eventually becomes our drinking water.
Industry and agriculture. Human-made contaminants such as pollution from manufacturing facilities, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal can contaminate drinking water.
Treatment and distribution. Type 1 community public water supplies will sometimes treat water to remove contaminants. However, these treatments can sometimes react, creating a harmful chemical or substance (byproduct) or causing problems with the pipes that the water flows through. Regular water testing and treatment generally remove or reduce contamination and make sure the water chemistry is safe for the pipes.
Improper private residential well maintenance. A private residential well system that is not properly maintained can lead to drinking water contamination. Your wellhead and well cap keep polluted rainwater, insects, and small animals from getting into the well. If these get in through cracks and openings on your wellhead or well cap, it can make your water unhealthy.
Your home’s plumbing. Your own home’s plumbing can also be a source of contamination in your drinking water. Faucets, fittings, valves, and pipes can be made of materials, like lead, that can harm your health. As water moves through plumbing, some plumbing material can dissolve or pieces can break off into the water.
Have a drinking water concern?
No matter where your water comes from you can submit your concerns to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) through their Drinking Water Concern System. You can also call the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.
Drinking Water Contaminant Fact Sheets
Some contaminants can be harmful to your health if you are exposed to certain levels. Select the name of each contaminant to learn more. This important information could help you decide if you should test your drinking water.
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Arsenic
Michigan has naturally higher arsenic levels in groundwater. Learn more about your county’s groundwater arsenic levels by viewing the EGLE Water Quality Map for Arsenic.
Contaminant levels may vary depending on where you live within your county. To find out more about groundwater arsenic in your area, contact your local health department.
To find out more about arsenic in drinking water, view the Arsenic in Drinking Water Fact Sheet.
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Coliform Bacteria
Coliform bacteria are found in soil, surface water, on plants, and in the intestines of warm-blooded animals and people. Poorly maintained septic systems can be a source of coliform bacteria, especially E. coli, which can make you sick.
To find out more about coliform bacteria in drinking water, view these fact sheets:
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Fluoride
Fluoride occurs naturally in soil and can be found in fertilizer and waste run-off from factories. It's good for our teeth in small amounts, but too much of it may cause some teeth problems.
To find out more about fluoride in drinking water, view these Questions and Answers about Fluoride in Drinking Water from the EPA.
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Iron
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Lead
Lead found in drinking water is soluble or particulate. Soluble lead is lead that is dissolved in water. Particulate lead is small pieces of lead from lead-containing material. Either type of lead can get into your drinking water when pipes or faucets containing lead begin to break down or dissolve. The amount of lead that can end up in drinking water depends on:
- Water chemistry (what is in the water).
- Contact with lead-containing items (if it passes through lead plumbing or fixtures).
- Water use (how often and in what amount water runs through plumbing and fixtures).
- Construction or plumbing repairs in the street or home (particulate lead can be released).
Visit Michigan.gov/MiLeadSafe or Michigan.gov/GetAheadofLead to learn more about lead.
- How to Find Out if Lead May Be in Your Drinking Water - English Version
- How to Find Out if Lead May Be in Your Drinking Water - Arabic Version
- How to Find Out if Lead May Be in Your Drinking Water - Spanish Version
- Lead in Drinking Water - English Version
- Lead in Drinking Water - Arabic Version
- Lead in Drinking Water - Spanish Version
- Steps to Get Ahead of Lead in Your Drinking Water - English Version
- Steps to Get Ahead of Lead in Your Drinking Water - Arabic Version
- Steps to Get Ahead of Lead in Your Drinking Water - Spanish Version
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Manganese
Most manganese in water comes from naturally occurring sources. However, industrial activities can also release manganese into the environment.
To find out more about manganese in drinking water, view the CDC’s Manganese ToxFAQs.
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Nitrate & Nitrite
Some areas of Michigan have been found to have higher nitrate levels in groundwater. Nitrate and nitrite may be more common in shallow wells near agricultural areas. Learn more about your county’s groundwater nitrate levels by viewing the EGLE Water Quality Map for Nitrate.
Contaminant levels may vary depending on where you live within your county. To find out more about groundwater nitrate in your area, contact your local health department.
To find out more about nitrate and nitrite in drinking water, view these fact sheets:
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PFAS
The most common sources of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in groundwater are airports, military bases, manufacturing facilities, unlined landfills, and farm field applications.
Check for PFAS contamination sites in Michigan by viewing the Michigan PFAS Sites Interactive Map.
To find out more about PFAS in drinking water, view these fact sheets:
- PFAS in Drinking Water Fact Sheet - English Version
- PFAS in Drinking Water Fact Sheet - Spanish Version
- PFAS in Drinking Water Fact Sheet - Arabic Version
Visit Michigan PFAS Response website to learn more about Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).
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Uranium
Uranium occurs naturally in some areas. For example, naturally occurring uranium has been found in Western Upper Peninsula bedrock and groundwater.
Wells with high levels of uranium have been found in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, Gogebic, and Ontonagon Counties.
What you need to know about Uranium – Western UP Health Department
To find out more about uranium in drinking water, view the CDC’s Uranium ToxFAQs.
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VOCs
Common sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in drinking water are industrial releases, landfill runoff, and chemical or fuel spills and leaks. Learn more about your county’s groundwater VOC levels by viewing the EGLE Water Quality Map for VOCs.
Contaminant levels may vary depending on where you live within your county. To find out more about groundwater VOCs in your area, contact your local health department.
Go to Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to learn more about VOCs.
To stay up to date with current resources and opportunities being offered through the program, subscribe to the Drinking Water and Health newsletter.
If you have questions, please contact the MDHHS Drinking Water Hotline at 844-934-1315.