👃 Aesthetic Contaminants
Impact: Unpleasant taste, colour, or odour caused by chlorine, sulphur, iron, or manganese.
Why it matters: Makes drinking water less enjoyable and can stain fixtures.
⚗️ Arsenic
Impact: Linked to certain cancers and nervous system damage.
Why it matters: Often invisible and tasteless — only testing can confirm presence.
☢️ Asbestos
Impact: Can enter water through old concrete pipes; linked to cancers.
Why it matters: No safe level — even small amounts can be harmful over time.
🦠 Biological Pathogens
Impact: Bacteria, viruses, and parasites from sewage or animal waste.
Why it matters: Can cause serious illness, especially for children or immune-compromised people.
🎸 Heavy Metals (Mercury, Zinc, Copper, Cadmium)
Impact: Can damage the brain, kidneys, and central nervous system.
Why it matters: Often caused by industrial waste or old plumbing.
🔩 Lead
Impact: Linked to learning disabilities in children and hypertension in adults.
Why it matters: Common in older homes with outdated plumbing.
🚰 Low/High pH
Impact: Water that’s too acidic can corrode pipes; too alkaline can cause scaling.
Why it matters: Protects your plumbing and water-using appliances.
🌾Nitrates
Impact: Can reduce oxygen in the blood, dangerous for infants.
Why it matters: Common in rural areas due to fertilizer runoff.
☣️ Radium/Radon
Impact: Naturally occurring radioactive elements linked to cancer.
Why it matters: Can be inhaled during showers or washing.
🧽 Sediments
Impact: Sand, rust, and other particles in your water.
Why it matters: Causes cloudy water and can damage appliances.
🧪 THMs (Trihalomethanes)
Impact: By-products of chlorine disinfection; linked to certain cancers.
Why it matters: Common in municipal water — testing can detect them.
🚫 VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
Impact: Chemicals from fuel, solvents, and industrial use.
Why it matters: Can damage organs and increase cancer risk.
💧 Hard Water
Impact: High calcium and magnesium levels cause scale buildup.
Why it matters: Shortens appliance life, reduces water heater efficiency, and makes cleaning harder.
