ecommended health-based goals and (2) non-mandatory, health-based maximum contaminant level goals (MCLGs). The chemicals and contaminants to be regulated were: microbiological contaminants, metals and inorganic chemicals, volatile organic chemicals, organic compounds, and radionuclides. Despite the accomplishments, water-borne diseases remain an issue of concern. From 1971 to 1988 there were 564 infectious outbreaks in the United States involving nearly 140,000 people. Bacteria are microorganisms that are of the kingdom Prokaryotae. When certain bacteria appear in places where they do not normally reside, they can cause illness. Protozoa are one-celled parasites that are members of the kingdom Protista. They are more resistant than bacteria to the disinfectants that are used to treat water. Viruses are the smallest infectious organisms known to man. They pass through filters and vary in size. Small round structured viruses (SRSVs) are most common among school age or older. Rotaviruses are the most common among small.children. Despite all the known infectious agents that may be present in drinking water and its sources, the drinking water in the United States is of very high purity and safetyBottled water is found everywhere from office buildings to national parks. The average consumption of bottled water has tripled since 1984 to present. There are a variety of bottled waters. Artesian water comes from a well that taps into an aquifer. Mineral water contains 250 parts per million of dissolved solids. Spring water is obtained from an underground formation which water flows naturally to the surface. Distilled water is produced by distillation.Some water is purified. There are several ways to obtain purified water. Many homes have personal water purifiers connected to their faucets. One way is mechanical filtration. Water is passed through a filter that only allows water to pass through and traps small particles. A ...
