Water Pollution

Usually, water pollution is the product of agricultural and industrial wastes, and/or inadequate water treatment and sewage facilities... Below is a list of some of the most common kinds and sources of water pollution:

• Acrylamide - a white, crystalline amide derived from acrylic acid; used in paper making, ore processing, the manufacture of permanent-press fabrics, dyes and in most water treatment facilities; is a carcinogen that can damage the nervous system and cannot be detected (or removed)
  
  
• Arsenic - natural and man made toxin (highly poisonous) used in some fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides and rat poison; can cause cancer and other medical conditions; from natural deposits in the earth and/or industrial and agricultural wastes
  
  
• Asbestos - a mineral fiber that can cause cancer (mesothelioma) and other serious respiratory diseases; could come from older homes with asbestos siding or asbestos-containing concrete pipes
  
  
• Biological Pathogens - includes bacteria, virus, protozoa and parasites; generally from the feces of an infected person, which makes its way into the water supply via sewage (whether the sewage is inadequately purified or it overflows into streams, rivers and eventually into city water supply)
  
  
• Copper - from corroding copper pipes (some copper is good for the body, but corroding copper pipes can supply too much copper, causing toxic effects)
  
  
• Disinfection and By-Products - when water is disinfected (usually with chlorine), the chemicals used react with organic matter, producing contaminants, such as trihalomethanes; long-term exposure may increase risk of cancer, as well as liver, kidney and central nervous system problems
  
  
• Epichlorohydrin - a carcinogen and reproductive toxicant; used in paper coatings, printing, pulp and paper manufacture, wood stains, varnishes and in many water treatment facilities; cannot be detected (or removed)
  
  
• Heavy Metals - from industrial wastes and/or the home plumbing system
  
  
• Nitrates - from human waste (sewage), manure, lawn/garden and farm fertilizers; can cause serious illness (such as "blue baby syndrome" where the blood's ability to carry oxygen is impaired) or even death if consumed in large amounts (when combined with water)
  
  
• Pesticides - from farms, lawns, gardens, etc. using pesticides
  
  
• Sewage - from inadequately treated sewage, leaks or overflowing of sewage

Rainwater, fog and water vapors (humidity) need little if any purification, but solar distillation is highly recommended as a means of purifying water -- not only because it is so simple and cheap to do, but also because water distillation is one of the best, safest and most reliable methods of water purification there is.