Water Contamination Still a Big Problem in the U.S.

When we hear about crises in other parts of the country, most of us have two reactions. 

First, we feel sorry for other Americans going through serious problems. Whether it’s water contamination, power outages, infrastructure damage, food supply issues or a variety of others.

But let’s be honest. Second, we have a tendency to think, “I’m glad I don’t live there right now.” We’re not proud of thinking that way. But it’s human nature.

Our hearts go out to folks when we learn of serious water contaminations in places like Flint, Michigan and Newark, New Jersey. But dangerous drinking water is being found in all sorts of places across America.

And often, by the time it’s discovered, the damage has already been done.

Here’s just one of many examples. People in some rural California communities have been waiting nearly a decade for state regulators to repair their tainted drinking water systems. 

El Adobe is an unincorporated town southeast of Bakersfield. The water might not look bad coming out of faucets. But testing has found high levels of arsenic in certain wells there.

One property owners association in the town charges residents $125 per month for tap water. But many of those residents are afraid to drink it. So they have to spend additional money for bottled water. If they can afford it.

Unfortunately, a new arsenic treatment facility would cost millions of dollars to build. And another $100,000 annually to operate. And even the El Adobe water that does not contain arsenic comes from aging wells. And travels through aging pipes.

Another water contamination issue is microplastics. These substances are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters in length. 

It’s no surprise they would show up in our water. Humans produce more than 400 million tons of plastic annually. The problem is that plastics do not biodegrade. They only break down into smaller pieces.

Microplastics have been found in the bodies of animals around the globe. Including in seals, humpback whales and invertebrates. From oceans to ice cores in the Arctic and Antarctica. 

Scientists are still trying to figure out how dangerous these microplastics are when consumed by humans and animals. But an environmental toxicologist said this. “We can say with pretty high confidence that (consuming) plastic is not beneficial.”

Marinette is a port city in northern Wisconsin. Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminated the drinking water there for many years.

These chemicals are found in household cleaners, paint and firefighting foam. And in products including Teflon and Scotchgard. They are linked to all sorts of serious health issues. 

Approximately 1,000 area residents are involved with a lawsuit seeking restitution in the amount of $17.5 million. 

Wisconsin is one of about 30 states that does not regulate PFAS contamination in drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency has known about PFAS contamination since 2001. But there is still no enforceable, nationwide legal limit.    

PFAS contamination is hardly an isolated problem. At least 110 million Americans may be drinking PFAS-contaminated water. That’s according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG).

EWG took water samples from 44 sites in 31 states. Only one location – Meridian, Mississippi – had no detectable PFAS. And only two other locales had levels below EWG recommended limits. They are Seattle, Washington and Tuscaloosa, Alabama.    

The average number of PFAS contaminants found at test sites was between six and seven.

David Andrews is a senior scientist at EWG. He said, “Everyone’s really exposed to a toxic soup of these PFAS chemicals.” 

Perhaps the safety of water in your community has never made national headlines. I hope that’s the case.

Even so, it’s very likely there are contaminants in your tap water. Those contaminants may be at levels considered “safe” by the EPA. But is that really true?

Perhaps the water coming out of your faucets is clean enough to keep you and your family safe. But who’s to say more contaminants won’t enter your local system’s supply? Communities never seem to realize this is happening until it’s too late.

To be on the safe side, filter all your drinking water with a reliable system that will give you clean water and peace of mind.

My recommendation is the Patriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System from 4Patriots. This is a complete countertop solution that removes up to 99.9 percent of contaminants from your drinking water.

Every sip is filtered to remove up to 97.5% of lead, 98% of mercury, over 99% of chromium-6 and a whole list more. Even radiological contaminants other filters can't touch.

I’m talking about heavy metals such as lead, copper and aluminum. Plus arsenic, chlorine, fluoride, pharmaceuticals, bacteria and viruses.

As well as pesticides, herbicides, cysts, and both volatile and semi-volatile organic chemicals. And PFCs (per-fluorinated chemicals).

A single filter in the Patriot Pure Ultimate Water Filtration System will provide you with 5,700 gallons of fresh, clean water. And it’s only 22 inches tall and 8½ inches wide, so it doesn’t take up too much space on your kitchen counter. Yet it holds over two gallons of water.

And you can take it anywhere. Including your cabin, RV and campsite. As well as to a tailgate or even your office. It’s easy to set up and use.