What Are You Drinking? Hayley Harrison Water comprises up to 60 percent of the human body, according to the United States Department of the Interior. Water is necessary for the metabolism of fat and food, to regulate body temperature and to remove waste and toxins from humans. Most experts agree that you need to drink the ounce equivalent to half of your body weight per day to avoid dehydration and keep your system running at peak performance. Unfortunately, every time you fill up a glass of water, you may unknowingly expose yourself to harmful chemicals and toxins. Federal laws like the Safe Drinking Water Act exist to limit the amount of chemicals in water; however, only 91 of the known 60,000 chemicals in the world are illegal under the law. Because of this, despite the fact that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that 91 percent of people in the United States drink water that meets legal standards, Americans are still consuming chemicals every time they use the tap. Altogether more than 62 million Americans have drank water that contains at least one chemical since 2004, according to a report in the "New York Times." Direct Pollutants The sources of water contamination that typically come to mind first are known as direct pollutants, those added directly into the water supply, often through the activities of humans. Factories, refineries and water treatment plants may release substances that enter the water supply. Provided these emissions are free of the 91 illegal toxins, this practice is perfectly legal under federal laws. Some states do take actions against some polluters, creating laws and regulations beyond the scope of the Safe Water Drinking Act. A recent example comes from Pennsylvania, where the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection cracked down on the delivery of water from certain types of natural gas drilling sites to wastewater treatment plants. The move came after the discovery that bromide from these extraction sites formed harmful compounds when mixed with water in treatment facilities. Even with positive steps like this one in Pennsylvania, however, thousands of chemicals continue to pass into water supplies from the activities of industries. Another source of direct water pollution dwells inside of Americans' homes. In older residences, microscopic particles of iron break away from pipe surfaces, entering water as it rushes through the plumbing. To limit iron contamination from pipes, modern homes typically use copper plumbing. Hot water traveling through these modern pipes has the potential to dissolve the copper and travel out of taps in drinking water. Even though these dissolved bits of copper are minuscule, these tiny particles can accumulate in the human body. Indirect Pollutants Indirect water pollution comes from the activities of humans that lead to contamination as a secondary effect. A common example of indirect pollution is the use of pesticides and herbicides on commercial agricultural products and residential gardens. These chemicals enter the soil, where they remain trapped among the dirt. When rain falls and soaks into the soil, these chemicals become washed away, where they can eventually reach water supplies. Humans also cause indirect pollution from the items they pour down the drains at their homes and businesses. An example is the disposal of waste after oil changes in automobiles, trucks and other vehicles. After being poured down a garage or work sink drain, the oil reaches wastewater treatment plants, where some of its chemicals are easily removed. Others persist and enter the water supply with other treated water. Similar effects can occur with house paint, lacquer and a variety of other chemicals. Items thrown away in trash cans also contribute to indirect pollution. People dispose of countless substances that can dissolve in rainwater and travel to the groundwater and other water supplies. Bottles of expired or unwanted prescription medicines can release potentially life-threatening chemicals into our drinking water, while other unused drugs, like birth control pills add hormones. Organic Pollutants Even water sources in remote forests and other areas can harbor harmful substances, explains the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to particles of harmful chemicals that evaporate from polluted rivers and lakes and fall in the form of rain, these isolated bodies of water have the potential to contain harmful parasites. One of the most common of these parasites is Giardia intestinalis, which can cause digestive symptoms like severe diarrhea. Intestinal parasites typically travel through the bodies of hosts, and are eliminated in feces. Because of this, animals infected with such parasites also have the potential to contaminate water in wells and remote locations. Rain can wash the solid waste of animals directly into these water supplies as it falls. Additionally, feces often become mixed with the soil, where parasites can become washed away with the absorption and drainage of rainwater later. There's a Solution When even the pipes in your home can contribute to water pollution, you may feel tempted to never touch your tap again. Fortunately, you can take easy precautions to help reduce the amount of contaminants that end up in your drinking glass and your cooking pots and washing over your raw fruits and vegetables. Today's water filtration systems use technology to not only siphon out particles, but to scientifically eliminate them. Water filters trap iron, copper, lead and other minerals within and neutralize acids and other chemicals. In addition, filtration systems can kill parasites and other organic materials that are present in many wells, reservoirs and other sources of drinking water. Portable filtration systems are also available to help you purify your water even while camping or otherwise enjoying the great outdoors. Purchasing a water filtration system is an investment in your health. Even if your system requires regular maintenance to keep it running like new, the cost is typically lower than replacing your tap water with bottled alternatives. In addition, water filters eliminate the waste of bottles. With a filtration system in place, you can focus on getting in the number of glasses of water your body needs rather than wondering what it's getting that it doesn't. Resources: U.S. Department of the Interior ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/propertyyou.html New York Times, That Tap Water Is Legal but May Be Unhealthy" nytimes.com/2009/12/17/us/17water.html University of Hawaii soest.hawaii.edu/GG/ASK/waterpol3.html U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cdc.gov/parasites/water.html The Tartan, " PaDEP asks treatment plants to stop accepting shale-gas wastewater." thetartan.org/2011/4/25/scitech/marcellus