other water contaminants in delmarva water systems

Water Contaminants

Because water is considered the “Universal Solvent”, it is constantly looking for ways to dissolve or mix with any foreign contaminants it contacts. Therefore, it’s impossible to positively identify every single contaminant that may be in your water. It’s commonplace to find elevated levels of contaminants such as arsenic, lead, and even VOC’s here on Delmarva. The sandy soil acts as a sponge, allowing much man-made water contaminants to find their way into our groundwater while doing extremely little to naturally filter them out. The best way to be sure you and your family are consuming the safest water possible is to install a reverse osmosis drinking water system that eliminates chemicals in tap water.

Arsenic

Arsenic is a common water contaminate in Delmarva, which is found in both man-made products and nature. The element is commonly used in the agricultural industry in the form of pesticides. It also comes from certain types of rock formations. Since the soil in the Delmarva is sandy, and the wells are closer to the surface, arsenic can seep into your drinking water.

Unfortunately, arsenic in water is difficult to detect. There are no odor, taste, or color differences when arsenic is present in contaminated tap water.

If you’ve been exposed to arsenic in your drinking water, you’ll notice the some of the following symptoms:

  • Red or Swollen Skin
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Vomiting/Diarrhea
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Tingling sensation in fingers and toes
  • Hair loss
  • Blood in Urine

Lead

Lead was commonly used in pipping up until the late 1980s, which is why lead is a common water contaminant in our area. If you have an older house, it’s possible your water supply comes through lead piping. Over time, the water flushing through these pipes will corrode the lead, and it will end up in your drinking water. Like arsenic, lead dissolved in water has no distinctive odor or taste, which makes it hard to detect contaminated tap water.

Signs of lead in your water include the following symptoms:

  • Loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Fatigue
  • Reduced IQ
  • Blue gums
  • Kidney damage
  • Can potentially cause seizures, comas, unconsciousness, and death

VOC

VOCs in the water are usually a result of human activity. Volatile Organic Compounds are found in many products, which includes pesticides, inks, cleaners, and more. They typically seep into well water from spills or other human activity, such as pesticide spraying.

Signs of VOCs in your water include the following symptoms:

  • Headache
  • Allergic skin reaction
  • Nausea
  • Nose and throat discomfort
  • Emesis

Delmarva Water Solutions recommends our EcoWater System ERO-385 for the healthiest, cleanest, and best tasting water possible. Stop hauling those inconvenient, expensive, heavy, and environmentally unfriendly bottles of water! Contact us for more information about water contaminants in the Delmarva Peninsula area.