There are different sources of water that we get in our homes but safety issues remain a key priority. Whether the water comes from a well or the city supply, chances that it contains impurities are high.
The water might be clean but it will be contaminated with impurities that are hardly visible to the naked eye. When you live in Carolina, there are different factors that you should consider to determine the safety of water used for domestic purposes. Read on to learn if Carolina water is safe to drink.
Tap Water
Tap water in Carolina is believed to be 59% safe which means that it is drinkable. Unless it is bottled spring water sold in retail shops, it is difficult to get 100% safe water from a tap or well. When water is above 50% in terms of safety ratings, it means that it does not cause harm to your health if you drink it. However, the city water in Carolina also consists of other contaminants, though there are no studies that show a bad picture of the quality of water in North Carolina.
Tap water supplied by the city is treated, and it is free of microorganisms that can cause water-borne diseases. As noted, the existence of other contaminants in the tap water still cannot be ruled out. How these contaminants get into tap water is another story but what you should know is that some pollutants are unavoidable.
Choose The Best Water Filtration System
Regardless of the source, clean water is often contaminated with impurities that we cannot see with naked eyes. However, some of these impurities may not be harmful but they can affect the taste of water. For instance, the water can have excess iron, rust, lead, chlorine, fluoride, or other components that can affect its quality. One of the effective methods of purifying water in your home is to use the water filtration system. There are different types of filter systems, and you can See Water Tech’s Guide Here to get insight into how they work. These solutions are very effective and they are also inexpensive and can guarantee you high-quality water in your home. Various water filters are designed to satisfy the needs of different homeowners.
Underground Water
The other sources of water that make up North Carolina’s drinking water include groundwater as well as surface water that includes streams, rivers, and lakes. More than 3 million homeowners in Carolina use private wells. The good thing about these wells is that the state requires you to have a license to have a private well in your home. This means that the well is inspected for bacteria and other contaminants that may pollute the water.
Apart from licensing, the homeowners can also report to the responsible authorities of any odors or odd tastes they experience from the water they draw from their wells. You can contact your local environmental health representative to have the water in your well tested. You can request a certificate showing the quality of the water from your underground source. Additionally, the local authorities recommend that a test should be conducted every three to five years that helps to ensure the safety of the well water. Water tests include a variety of mineral components that include iron, copper, mercury, manganese, magnesium, pH, and sodium. Other compounds tested for include nitrates, bacteria, arsenic, zinc as well as lead. After the tests have been conducted, the responsible authorities will make recommendations about the measures that you can take.
Protection Program
All underground water sources are protected under the Well Head Protection Program (WHPP) that seeks to prevent pollution. Such a program is part of the Congress’ national groundwater protection strategy that helps prevent contamination of water sources that are used for drinking purposes. The protection of groundwater sources is not mandatory in Carolina but many homeowners harness it since it is valuable. Additionally, Carolina city implements regular tests of water to ensure that it is safe for drinking. The water is continuously tested for different contaminates to make sure that there are no issues with the water supplied. Despite some social media concerns about the safety of beach water sometime in 2019, tests conducted on the water indicated that it was safe. These were just some unfortunate incidents that were quickly attended to.
Potential Hazards In Carolina Water
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Scientists continue to test different industrial chemicals to determine their impact on the health of people. As a result of a variety of industrial and military activities in the state, Carolina is not completely safe from different chemicals. Some of these industrial chemicals can cause health problems such as immune system disorders, cancer, and thyroid disorders. The good thing about the network of researchers in Carolina is that they regularly publicize their findings. The net findings so far indicate that the water does not pose a huge danger to people though threats cannot be underrated.
Effects Of Coal Ash
Coal ash is another threat to different water sources in various parts of North Carolina. While there is no immediate solution to the threat of coal ash, apart from disposing of it in proper landfills, the potential challenges cannot be ignored. Water testing continues to be a high priority in and around the city. The other contaminant is called 1,4-Dioxane classified as a carcinogen, and it was found to be in high concentration in different parts of the state. To combat the potential threat, water tests are conducted periodically to ensure that it is safe.
Many people are concerned about the safety of Carolina’s water following some social media posts that indicated that the water was unsafe. However, the responsible authorities dispelled the posts and indicated that it was just an unfortunate incident. The city of Carolina has various testing and safety measures in place to ensure that the water is safe for human and animal consumption. All underground water sources are protected and are regularly tested for contaminants. Though the water cannot be 100% free of contaminants, it is generally safe for drinking.