Health parameters for "Cozy Cottage" report
Aluminum
Description
Aluminum is an extremely abundant
metal in the earth’s crust. Levels of aluminum in water are generally low, but can vary across Canada. Aluminum
can leach from rock and soil to enter any water source. It can also enter water sources through human activity
such as mining or industrial manufacturing processes.
Health Effects
British Columbia is the only province
that has a standard for aluminum, which is 9.5 mg/L. The Canadian recommended standard for aluminum is 2.9 mg/L, and
is based on neurological effects observed in rats. Studies in humans have found possible associations between
aluminum ingestion and diseases of the nervous system. However, these studies have a number of design limitations
and do not provide strong evidence that aluminum can cause these diseases. Studies in animals have consistently
observed adverse effects on the nervous system following ingestion of high levels of aluminum, which supports
effects seen in human studies.
Antimony
Description
Antimony is a metal that is present
naturally in small quantities in water, rocks, and soils. The most common source of antimony in drinking water is
the corrosion of antimony-containing plumbing materials. In groundwater, sources of antimony also include mining
wastes, manufacturing effluent, leaching of fertilizers, leaching of landfills, and fossil fuel combustion products.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Microscopic
changes in organs and tissues (thymus, kidney, liver, spleen, thyroid)
Arsenic
Description
Arsenic is a natural element found in
the Earth’s crust. Some areas of Canada have a greater potential for elevated arsenic levels in drinking water. The
most common source of arsenic in groundwater is through erosion and weathering of soils, minerals, and ores.
Industrial effluents and pesticide runoff may also contribute arsenic to water in some areas.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Cancer
(lung, bladder, liver, skin) (classified as human carcinogen)
Other: Skin, vascular and neurological effects (numbness and tingling of extremities)
Barium
Description
Barium is a common element in the
earth’s crust, although only trace levels are normally found in natural waters. Barium compounds are often used in
oil and gas well drilling operations. Industrial effluents may also contribute to barium in water in some areas.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Increases in
blood pressure, cardiovascular disease
Boron
Description
Boron is a naturally occurring
element found in rock and soil. Boron present in groundwater may be natural or due to coal combustion products,
municipal sewage, leaching of landfill materials, and the production of fertilizers and pesticides.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Reproductive
effects (testicular atrophy, spermatogenesis)
Cadmium
Description
Cadmium is a naturally occurring
element found in very low concentrations in most rocks. The main source of cadmium in drinking water is through
corrosion of plumbing materials with galvanized steel/iron components such as service lines, pipes, brass fittings,
cement mortar linings and well components such as casings and drop pipes. Other sources of cadmium in groundwater
include: mining and smelting operations, industrial operations, burning of fossil fuels, fertilizer application,
sewage sludge disposal, and leaching of landfills.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Kidney damage
and softening of bone
Chromium
Description
Chromium is a metal found naturally
in ores, soils, and plants. Chromium compounds from natural sources are usually found in groundwater in trace
amounts only. The most common man-made sources of chromium in groundwater are burning of fossil fuels, mining
effluent, and effluent from metallurgical, chemical, and other industrial operations. Chromium may affect the taste
or smell of well water, but not at levels normally found in groundwater.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Hyperplasia of
the small intestine from chromium (VI).
Copper
Description
Copper is found naturally in rock,
soil, plants, animals, water, sediment, and air. Copper is frequently found naturally in groundwater, however,
levels are generally very low. Common synthetic sources of copper include pesticide and mining processing waste.
Copper is often used in household plumbing materials, such as pipes and faucets. Corrosion of copper pipes is the
greatest source of copper in drinking water. If the source of copper is corrosion of plumbing materials, be aware
that other metals, such as lead or cadmium.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Gastrointestinal
effects (short-term), liver and kidney effects (long-term).
Escherichia coli
Description
E. coli is a type of fecal coliform
bacteria commonly found in the intestines of animals and humans. E. coli is short for Escherichia coli. The presence
of E. coli in water is a strong indication of recent sewage or animal waste contamination. Sewage may contain many
types of disease-causing organisms.
Health Effects
The presence of E. coli indicates
recent faecal contamination and the potential presence of microorganisms capable of causing gastrointestinal
illnesses; pathogens in human and animal faeces pose the most immediate danger to public health.
Fluoride
Description
Fluoride is a negative ion of the
element fluorine, which can be found in various chemical compounds. It is present in air, water, soil, and most
foods. Fluoride found in well water in Canada occurs naturally. The concentration of fluoride in a well water sample
depends on a number of factors, such as the amount of fluoride present in the rock through which the groundwater has
passed and whether the water chemistry is favorable for fluoride to remain dissolved.
Health Effects
Basis of MAC: Moderate dental
fluorosis (based on cosmetic effect, not health).
Free Cyanide
Description
Cyanide is a chemical unit that can
be released into groundwater from natural processes. Mining can also be a source of cyanide pollution to ground and
surface water. Cyanide is also used in electroplating, photographic development, making plastics, mining processes,
and herbicides. It is also released in car exhaust.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: rapid breathing,
tremors and other neurological effects (short-term), weight loss, thyroid effects, nerve damage (long-term).
Lead
Description
Lead is a naturally occurring
element. However, naturally occurring lead is rarely found dissolved in drinking water sources. The main source of
lead in drinking water is through corrosion of plumbing materials with lead or brass components, such as in some
pipes, solder, faucets, fittings, and older galvanized well liners.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Reduced
intelligence in children measured as decreases in IQ is the most sensitive and well established health effect of
lead exposure. There is no known safe exposure level to lead.
Other: Possible effects include behavioral effects in children. Reduced cognition, increased blood pressure, and
renal dysfunction in adults are also possible. Classified as probably carcinogenic to humans
Manganese
Description
Manganese is a naturally occurring
essential element found widely in air, water and soil. It is prevalent across Canada in surface water and
groundwater. The most common sources of manganese in drinking water are naturally occurring and can be attributed to
weathering of manganese bearing rocks and soils. Other less common sources of manganese can be attributed to human
activities including mining and industrial activities, leachate from landfills and sewage effluent. Manganese can
make your water smell metallically, or like oil or asphalt.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Effects on
neurological development and behaviour; deficits in memory, attention, and motor skills.
Other: Formula-fed infants (where water containing manganese at levels above the MAX is used to prepare formula) may
be especially at risk.
Mercury
Description
Mercury is the only common metal
which is liquid at ordinary temperatures. Possible sources of mercury in drinking water include air pollution from
coal combustion, waste incineration and from metal refining operations and from natural mineral deposits in some
hard rock areas. Mercury can cause a metallic smell in water.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Irreversible
neurological symptoms.
Nitrate (as N)
Description
Nitrate is a naturally occurring
chemical made of nitrogen and oxygen and are found in air, soil, water, and plants. In groundwater, nitrate
primarily comes from decomposing plant and animal material, agricultural fertilizers, manure, and domestic sewage.
Groundwater wells can be contaminated by leaching of chemical fertilizers, leaching of animal manure, and improperly
treated septic and sewage discharges.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC:
Methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) and effects of thyroid gland function in bottle-fed infants.
Other: Classified as possible carcinogen under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation
Nitrite (as N)
Description
Nitrite is a naturally occurring
chemical made of nitrogen and oxygen. Nitrogen and nitrogen compounds, such as nitrite, are found in air, soil,
water, and plants.
In certain conditions, when oxygen is unavailable, nitrate may be converted to nitrite. Therefore many sources of
nitrate are also potential sources of nitrite. Sources of nitrite in groundwater include: leaching of chemical
fertilizers, leaching of animal manure, improperly treated septic and sewage discharges, decaying plant or animal
material, and erosion of natural deposits.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC:
Methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) and effects of thyroid gland function in bottle-fed infants.
Other: Classified as possible carcinogen under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation.
Selenium
Description
Selenium is found naturally in small
quantities in rocks and soils and the presence in groundwater depends of the rock and soil in the area. Other
sources of selenium in groundwater include contamination from copper and lead refinery effluent, municipal
wastewater, hazardous waste sites. For most people, food is one of the main sources of ingested selenium.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Chronic
selenosis symptoms in humans following exposure to high levels.
Other: Hair loss, tooth decay, weakened nails and nervous system, disturbances at extremely high levels of exposure
Strontium
Description
Strontium is a naturally occurring
trace element found in seawater and soil. Strontium can occur naturally in groundwater and surface water sources
through the weathering of rocks and soils or as a result of human activities such as mining and manufacturing
operations.
Health Effects
Health Basis of MAC: Bone effects
(adverse effects on bone formation in infants as well as rickets, osteomalacia)
Total Coliform
Description
Total Coliform is a large collection
of different kind of bacteria that are common in the environment (soil and vegetation) and are generally harmless.
If a lab detects only coliform bacteria in drinking water, the sample should also be tested for the presence of
E.coli.
Health Effects
Total coliforms are not used as
indicators of potential health effects from pathogenic microorganisms; they are used as a tool to determine how well
the drinking water treatment system is operating and to indicate water quality changes in the distribution system.
Uranium
Description
Uranium is a naturally occurring
radioactive element that exists in soil and rock throughout Canada. Naturally occurring uranium in groundwater comes
from the dissolving of minerals that contain uranium. Some human activities are also sources of uranium – mill
tailings, emissions from the nuclear industry, and the combustion of coal and other fuels.
Health Effects
Health basis of MAC: Kidney effects
(various lesions); may be rapidly reversible after exposure ceases.
Zinc
Description
Zinc is a metal normally found in
small amounts in nature. Although zinc occurs naturally, most zinc finds its way into groundwater because of human
activities. Galvanized liners or fittings or metal pipes coated with zinc, present in many older wells or plumbing
systems, can leach zinc into drinking water.Well water may also be contaminated through processes, such as: mining,
lead-zinc smelters, steel production, coal burning, and hazardous waste disposal.
Health Effects
British Columbia is the only province
that has a MAC for zinc, which is 3 mg/L. This value is specific to the protection of human health and water derived
using a toxicological referenced value protective of adults.
Aesthetic/Operational Parameters for "Cozy Cottage" report
Chloride
Description
Chloride is a common non-toxic
material present in small amounts in drinking water and produces a detectable salty taste at the aesthetic
objective level of 250 mg/L. Chloride is widely distributed in nature including from salt-bearing geological
formations and salt water intrusion. However, chloride can aslo enter the groundwater from salt used for road
de-icing and contributions from wastewaters.
Treatment Options
Distilation, Reverse Osmosis
Copper
Description
Copper occurs naturally in the
environment but is rarely present in raw water. Copper is used extensively in domestic plumbing in tubing and
fittings and is an essential trace component in food. Drinking water has the potential to be corrosive and to cause
copper to dissolve in water. At levels above 1.0 mg/L, copper may impart an objectionable taste to the water.
Treatment Options
Water Softener, Distilation, Reverse
Osmosis, Activated Carbon Filtration
Dissolved Organic Carbon
Description
The aesthetic objective for dissolved
organic carbon (DOC) in drinking water is 5 mg/L. High DOC is an indicator of possible water quality deterioration
during storage and distribution due to the carbon being a growth nutrient for biofilm dwelling bacteria. High DOC is
also an indicator of potential chlorination by-product problems.
Treatment Options
Iron
Description
Excessive levels of iron in drinking
water supplies may impart a brownish colour to laundered goods, plumbing fixtures and the water itself; it may
produce a bitter, astringent taste in water and beverages. In addition, the precipitation of iron can also promote
the growth of iron bacteria in water mains and service pipes.
Treatment Options
Water Softener, Distilation, Reverse
Osmosis, Activated Carbon Filtration
Manganese
Description
Like iron, manganese is objectionable
in water supplies because it stains laundry and fixtures black, and at excessive concentrations causes undesirable
tastes in beverages.
Treatment Options
Water Softener, Distilation, Reverse
Osmosis, Activated Carbon Filtration
Sodium
Description
Sodium is a common element in the
natural environment and is often found in food and drinking water. In drinking water, sodium can occur naturally or
be the result of road salt application, water treatment chemicals or ion-exchange water-softening units. At
concentrations greater than 200 mg/L the water will have a strong salty taste.
Treatment Options
Distilation, Reverse Osmosis
Sulphate
Description
As water moves through soil and rock
formations that contain sulfate minerals, some of the sulfate dissolves into the groundwater. The presence of
sulfate in drinking water above 150 mg/L may result in noticeable taste. High levels of sulfate may be associated
with calcium, which is a major component of scale in boilers and heat exchangers. In addition, sulfate can be
converted into sulfide by some anaerobic bacteria creating odour problems and potentially greatly accelerating
corrosion.
Treatment Options
Water Softener, Distilation, Reverse
Osmosis
Total Dissolved Solids
Description
Naturally occurring; sewage, urban
and agricultural runoff, industrial wastewater. TDS above a concentration of 500 mg/L can effect taste and result in
excessive scaling in water pipes, water heaters, boilers and appliances.
Treatment Options
Reverse Osmosis
Total Hardness (as CaCO3)
Description
The operational guideline for
hardness in drinking water is set at between 80 and 100 mg/L as calcium carbonate. Hardness is caused by dissolved
calcium and magnesium, and is expressed as the equivalent quantity of calcium carbonate. On heating, hard water has
a tendency to form scale deposits and can form excessive scum with regular soaps. However, certain detergents are
largely unaffected by hardness. Conversely, soft water may result in accelerated corrosion of water pipes. Hardness
levels between 80 and 100 mg/L as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) are considered to provide an acceptable balance between
corrosion and incrustation. Water supplies with a hardness greater than 200 mg/L are considered poor but tolerable.
Hardness in excess of 500 mg/L in drinking water is unacceptable for most domestic purposes.
Treatment Options
Water Softener, Distilation
True Colour
Description
The aesthetic objective for colour in
drinking water is 5 TCU (True Colour Units). Water can have a faint yellow/brown colour which is often caused by
organic materials created by the decay of vegetation. Sometimes colour may be contributed to by iron and manganese
compounds produced by processes occurring in natural sediments or in aquifers. The presence of organic materials is
the main cause of disinfection by-products when water is treated with chlorine.
Treatment Options
Water Softener
Zinc
Description
Zinc is naturally occurring but can
also be released through industrial and domestic emissions as well as leaching from galvanized pipes, hot water
tanks and brass fittings. Water containing zinc at concentrations in excess of 5.0 mg/L has an undesirable
astringent taste and may be opalescent and develop a greasy film on boiling.
Treatment Options
Water Softener, Activated Carbon
Filtration
pH
Description
pH is a parameter that indicates the
acidity of a water sample. The operational guideline recommended in drinking water is to maintain a pH between 6.5
and 8.5. The principal objective in controlling pH is to produce a water that is neither corrosive nor produces
incrustation. At pH levels above 8.5, mineral incrustations and bitter tastes can occur. Corrosion is commonly
associated with pH levels below 6.5 and elevated levels of certain undesirable chemical parameters may result from
corrosion of specific types of pipe. With pH levels above 8.5, there is also a progressive decrease in the
efficiency of chlorine disinfection and alum coagulation.
Treatment Options
