Domestic Water Use: Topics for the Home

Contents:

1. General Information
2. Drinking Water Standards
3. Health Concerns/ Hazards
4. Home Water Quality Problems
5. Water Testing & Interpretation
6. Chemicals
7. Microbials
8. Aesthetics-Turbidity, Color, Odor, and Taste
9. Water Treatments
10. Treatment Supplies
11. Emergency Water
12. Water Conservation
13. Miscellaneous
14. Resources and References

1. General Information

• It's Your Drinking Water: Get to know it and protect it!
• Water on Tap: A Consumers guide to the Nation's Drinking Water

Publication #816K03007

2. Drinking Water Standards

• National Primary Drinking Water Standards

Publication #810F94001

• Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories

3. Health Concerns/Hazards

• Drinking Water Quality and Health
• Health Effects of Drinking Water Contaminants

4. Home Water Quality Problems

• Laundry Problems and Water Quality
• Home Water Quality Problems, Causes and Treatments
• Removing Mineral Deposits from Household Surfaces
• Glassware-Crystal Clear or Dull and Cloudy?

5. Water Testing and Interpretation

• Water Testing
• Water Testing and Interpreting Your Results
• How much is a part per million?
• Testing of Private Wells
• Questions and Answers: Water Quality Testing for Private Well Owners

6. Chemicals

Arsenic

• Arsenic in Drinking Water
• Arsenic and Clarifications to Compliance and New Source Monitoring Rule: A Quick Reference Guide
• Arsenic in Ground-Water Resources of the United States

Chlorides

• Chlorinated Water ~ A Potential Carcinogen

Copper

• Drinking Water: Copper

Corrosion and pH

• Corrosion Control
• pH

Dissolved Oxygen

• Dissolved Oxygen

Fluoride

• Fluoride

Foaming Agents

• Surfactants

Iron/Manganese

• Iron and Manganese in Household Drinking Water

Lead

• Lead in Drinking Water

MTBE

• Drinking Water and MTBE: A Guide for Private Well Owners

Nitrates

• Nitrates in Drinking Water

Pesticides

• Sources of Nutrients and Pesticides
• Pesticides and Their Movement in Soil & Water

Phosphates

• Phosphates in Detergents

Radon/Radium

• Radon in Drinking Water- Questions and Answers

Sulfides

• Hydrogen Sulfide in Household Drinking Water

Zinc

• Zinc

7. Microbials

Bacteria/Coliform

• Drinking Water: Bacteria
• Drinking Water: Bacteriological Safety and Treatment

Giardiasis/Cryptosporidium

• Waterborne Parasites: Giardia and Cryptosporidium

8. Aesthetics-Turbidity, Color, Odor and Taste

• Turbidity, Color, Odor, and Taste in Domestic Water

9. Water Treatments

• A Guide to Home Water Treatment

Chlorination

• Chlorination of Drinking Water

Disinfecting

• Disinfection

Distillation

• Distillation for Home Water Treatment
• Distillation

Filtration

• Filtration

Ion Exchange

• Ion Exchange and Demineralization

Ozone

• Ozone

Reverse Osmosis

• Reverse Osmosis for Home Treatment of Drinking Water

Softening

• Home Water Softening
• Why Soften Household Water

Ultra Violet Radiation

• Ultraviolet Disinfection

10. Treatment Supplies

• Water Treatment Equipment: A Buyer's Guide

11. Emergency Water

• Emergency Drinking Water Supplies

12. Water Conservation

Greywater

• Water Conservation Using Greywater

Water Usage

• Water Usage
• Using Water Wisely in the Home

(Publication # 800F02001)

Conserving Water

• Household Water-Do's and Don'ts
• Home Water Saving Methods
• Water Conservation Measures
• Lawn Watering
• Home Lawn Watering Guide
• Indoor Water Audit

Animal Waste

• Pet Waste and Water Quality
• Managing Livestock, Poultry and Horse Waste to Prevent Contamination of Drinking Water

Runoff

• Runoff Control in Your Yard and Garden

13. Miscellaneous

Bottled Water

• Buying Bottled Water

Cisterns

• Cisterns to Collect Non-Potable Water for Domestic Use

Septic Systems

• Septic Tank Inspection and Trouble Shooting
• An On-Site Wastewater System for Your Home
• Backflow Protection
• Terminology for Onsite Sewage Treatment Systems

Water Systems

• Drinking Water Wells
• Some Staining, Odor, and Taste Problems Associated with Well Water
• Twelve Simple Things You Can Do to Protect Your Well Water
• Rural Domestic Water Supply

Facts about Cryptosporidium

• Safe Drinking Water
• Drinking Water Contaminants

Water Quality Consortium Flyers:

• Pet Waste
• Car Washing
• Fertilizing
• Leaking Oil

14.Resources and References

• Drinking Water Offices
  • Alaska 907-269-7500 907-269-7685
  • Idaho 208-373-0542 208-373- 0542
  • Oregon 503-731-4317 503-229-5413
  • Washington 360-236-3100 360-586-9041
  • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) 202-260-7786
  • Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791