Element/ Property |
Source |
Issues |
Treatment/Practices |
Maximum Concentrations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alkalinity |
Caused by bicarbonates and carbonates, but it is calculated using the concentration of calcium and magnesium. | Water with low alkalinity is more likely to be corrosiveand cause plumbing to deteriorate. | Acidifying the water will reduce actual alkalinity.The only way to reduce the calculated alkalinity is to reduce the calcium and magnesium levels through water softening or distillation. | Household water: No EPA1 drinking water standard has been set; see TDS2 section on page 10. Irrigation: Current limit not established, see TDS section on page 10. Livestock: Levels above 500 ppm may pose problems for dairy cattle. |
| Aluminum (Al) | May be found in surface water from industrial waste or from the wash water of drinking water treatment plants. | Aluminum may cause discoloration of water or buildup of scales or sediments. | Reverse osmosis, distillation or electrodialysis. | Household water: 0.05-0.2 ppm, EPA Secondary Drinking Water Standard. Irrigation: 5 ppm for long-term use; 20 ppm for short-term use. Livestock: Recommended upper limit of 5 ppm. |
| Ammonia (NH3) | By-product of drinking water disinfection; produced by bacteria in the soil, animal wastes and decaying plants and animals. | Inadequate or no evidence that it causes cancer in people or animals. | Aeration. | Household water: 30 ppm, EPA Lifetime Health Advisory. Irrigation: Current limit not established. Livestock: Current limit not established. |
| Antimony (Sb) | A metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements. Found in drinking water as an industrial pollutant from petroleum refineries or from fire retardants, ceramics, electronics or solder | Potential health effects include increased risk of cancer, increase in cholesterol or decrease in blood sugar. | Coagulation/filtration, submicron filtration, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration or distillation. | Household water: 0.006 ppm, EPA Primary Drinking Standard. Irrigation: Current limit not established. Livestock: Recommend upper limit of 5 ppm. |
| Arsenic (As) | May be found naturally in groundwater and in surface water as an industrial pollutant or as a product of agricultural runoff from previously used pesticides. | Arsenic is highly toxic. Over time, it builds up in the body. The symptoms range from fatigue to coma and death. Potential health effects include skin damage, problems with the circulatory system and possible increased risk of cancer. | The best way to reduce arsenic levels is by reverse osmosis. | Household water: 0.05 ppm, EPA Primary Drinking Water Standard. May change to 0.01 ppm. Irrigation: 0.10 ppm for long-term use; 2.0 ppm for short-term use. Livestock: Reported problems with dairy cows at levels of more than 0.2 ppm; CAST3 has established level of 0.5 ppm. |
| Barium (Ba) | May be found naturally in groundwater or in surface water as an industrial pollutant often related to oil and gas. | Barium may have a toxic effect on the heart, blood vessels, nerves and kidneys. | Reverse osmosis is considered the best overall treatment method. | Household water: 2.0 ppm, EPA Primary Drinking Water Standard. Irrigation: Drinking water standard, 2.0 ppm. Livestock: Some health issues with dairy cattle have been reported at levels of more than 10 ppm; CAST has not established limits. |
| Beryllium (Be) | A metal found in natural deposits as ores containing other elements and in some precious stones such as emeralds and aquamarine. Found in drinking water as a pollutant from discharges from metal refineries and coal-burning factories, nuclear reactors, petroleum refineries, and electrical, aerospace and defense industries. | Potential health effects from ingestion of water are intestinal lesions, increased risk of cancer and damage to bones and lungs. | Coagulation/filtration, submicron filtration, activated charcoal, activated alumina, cation exchange, reverse osmosis, distillation or electrodialysis. | Household water: 0.004 ppm, EPA Primary Drinking Water Standard. Irrigation: 0.10 ppm for long-term use; 0.5 ppm for short-term use. Livestock: Current limit not established. Guideline: 0.10 ppm. |