According to a study by the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC), there were 250,000 violations of the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act between 1991 and 1992, affecting more than 120 million people across the country.

And EPA Administrator Carol Browner reported in March of 1995 that some 41 million Americans (17%) were served by drinking water systems that violated one or more public health standards.

Statistics like these and many others are alarming enough for adults, but the consequences for children, especially small children under the age of six, can be even more of a concern.

But before parents, grandparents and other child care providers panic, keep in mind that the U.S. still has some of the best water and most sophisticated delivery systems in the world. Yet, the above statistics are real. So if you're concerned, your first step should be to become an informed water consumer. Start by finding out what's in your own water and then take the appropriate steps to protect your family. The following article provides an overview of the most common water quality problems that could threaten your children, as well as some recommendations for reducing their risk.

What are the key concerns?
Whether the contaminant in question is bacteria, microorganisms or lead, small children are much more likely to be adversely affected by what may be in the water because their tiny immune systems lack the ability to fight off infection as effectively as adults'. That's according to J. Routt Reigart, MD, professor of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina and past chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Environmental Health. Dr. Reigart further concluded that infants and small children are especially at risk since they drink more water in relation to their body weight, are more susceptible to dehydration and are going through very critical stages of development.

Cryptosporidium and other bad "bugs."
"Before 1993, few people had ever heard of, let alone were concerned about, the microscopic organism cryptosporidium," notes Dave Krupinski, a spokesperson for Kinetico Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of water treatment systems. "But after it caused nearly 400,000 Milwaukee residents to become ill and killed in excess of 100 AIDS and cancer patients with weakened immune systems (according to The Milwaukee Journal estimates), parents are asking us more frequently for safeguards for their homes."

Although Milwaukee was not home to the first cryptosporidium problem, it experienced the largest recorded outbreak in U.S. history. "The problem for public utilities is that there are few barriers to keep cysts like these from invading the water, since they are immune to chlorine, which is the standard municipal treatment for disinfecting drinking water," says Kinetico's Krupinski. "In addition, it is very expensive and time-consuming for cities to regularly test for its presence."

Contamination occurs when animal feces containing cryptosporidium are washed into municipal water supplies, which means that people supplied with water from surface sources, such as rivers and lakes, are more at risk. Approximately 61% of the U.S. population gets water from surface sources, according to the American Water Works Association.

Another waterborne parasite is giardia lamblia. Doctors suggest that giardia is the most frequent cause of non-bacterial diarrhea in North America with an attack rate three times as high for children as adults.

The best known method for ridding municipal water supplies of these contaminants is a combination of disinfection and filtration. But currently more than 20 million Americans receive unfiltered surface water. The CDC has had difficulty in determining an accurate number of illnesses related to these parasites since doctors often dismiss the complications as symptoms of influenza.

Lead exposure.
"Despite the media appeal of cryptosporidium, lead exposure continues to be one of the primary concerns we hear about from our customers," Krupinski says. Excessive amounts of lead in the body can delay physical and mental development in babies and young children, as well as impair existing mental abilities in children. Adults exposed to lead may experience hearing difficulties and, in extreme cases, could experience kidney damage and mental retardation. But given the fact that the body does not readily process lead, allowing it to build up over years of exposure, the greatest risk is to those Americans who are exposed at a very early age and then continue to have contact as they grow.

Since lead crosses the placenta easily, its presence in tap water in high concentrations can also cause miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight babies. Water is not the only source of lead exposure, however. The main source of lead poisoning in children is from paint in homes built before 1980. The EPA estimates that drinking water contributes 10 to 20 percent of total lead exposure in young children.

How does lead get into drinking water? Krupinski points out that lead rarely occurs naturally in water. "It can enter water delivery systems at any point but usually the source is lead service connections, pipes or lead solder inside the home," he notes.

The greatest risk is inside homes built before 1930 when lead pipes were primarily used in plumbing. Homes built between 1930 and 1988 may still be at risk because of lead solder used to join copper pipes. Lead can also leach into water while it is being transported between the municipal supplier and the home. In 1988, a law went into effect, banning the use of lead plumbing supplies.

But lead pipes and solder aren't the only sources of potential contamination inside the home. Many brands of faucets on the market today also contain some amount of lead that can leach into the water.

Given the scope of the concern, the EPA has studied the lead exposure issue in depth and has issued the following estimates and summaries:

Approximately 15 percent of the nation's households have lead in their faucets, pipes or well pumps.

More than 560,000 children in the U.S. at any point in time have unacceptably high levels of lead in their blood, which could lead to neurological problems.

In 1992, 130 U.S. cities had excessive levels of lead in their drinking water supplies (when measured at consumers' taps).

Smaller cities that have less sophisticated treatment facilities had especially high levels of lead in their drinking water.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as the CDC, recommend that all children be screened for lead exposure at one and two years of age.

The chemical/pesticide threat.
Industrial and agricultural chemicals can also threaten the quality of water that is supplied by municipalities from surface water sources, although their threat can be more seasonal and regional in nature. As an example, the Environmental Working Group released a report in August of 1995 warning parents in America's Heartland to "seriously consider alternatives to tap water for infant formula and children's drinks every May 1-August 30 when herbicide levels from crop runoff are highest." (Note that private wells may also be threatened, although the chance is not as great.)

The study found that tap water in many Midwest cities contains potentially dangerous levels of pesticides. In fact, 18 of 29 cities tested had traces of weed killers (atrazine and cyanzine) that exceeded EPA standards. (It is important to note that additional cities may have traces of pesticides and other harmful chemicals in their water supplies but do not show up on government reports unless they exceed the EPA's maximum contaminant level.)

The study went on to reveal that nearly 45,000 infants are drinking infant formula made with water contaminated with weed killers. The Group estimates that one-half of those infants are swallowing four to nine chemicals in every bottleful.

Nitrates from fertilizers have been linked to "blue baby syndrome" (a condition that affects infants), because they inhibit the transfer of oxygen between the body's red blood cells.

Chlorine overload.
Although the chlorination process was originally hailed as a major public health breakthrough as a means for reducing the outbreak of typhoid and cholera, it has also recently come under attack because some recent studies suggest it is linked with cancer. When chlorine interacts with certain organic matter in water, it can create cancer-causing byproducts, known as trihalomethanes (THMs). This represents a problem for people with municipal water or those that chlorinate their wells.

The American Journal of Public Health reported in 1992 that drinking chlorinated water increases the risk of bladder and rectal cancer over long periods of time. And the Natural Resource Defense Council (NRDC) estimates that chlorine byproducts cause more than 10,000 bladder and rectal cancers a year. So beginning in 1998, new federal limits will be imposed on the amount of chlorine byproducts in the water. As a consequence, however, cities will be restricted from increasing their chlorine levels during times when contamination risk is the highest. Currently, water companies adjust the amount of chlorine in water, depending on the level of microbes. That's why during certain times of the year, the taste and smell of chlorine in drinking water is more noticeable.

Exposure to chlorine byproducts in water is not limited to just drinking. They can also be inhaled while showering. (Radon can also be inhaled when it's present in water.) What to do if you're concerned? Statistics like these are not designed to intimidate. And as Krupinski emphasizes, they do not apply to everyone, since the contaminants mentioned are not necessarily present in any specific community's water supply. The numbers are, however, real.

Keep in mind that the CDC reports that the risk of becoming ill from bad water in the U.S. is low, but rising. The problem is that there are no guarantees that water in the U.S., which is good overall, is necessarily safe at all places at all times.

If you're concerned about the quality of your own water, Kinetico suggests taking one or more of the following steps to achieve peace of mind:

Test your water to determine its current quality. You can either request a copy of your local water utility's test reports or turn to an independent testing lab. Authorized Kinetico dealers, as well as other water treatment specialists, can help you decipher these very detailed reports.

Keep in mind, though, that a test only tells you what's in your water currently. It does not cover the unexpected as to what could get into your water tomorrow. Because water conditions change, tests even for municipal water should be conducted regularly, especially if there are unexplained intestinal problems or high blood-lead levels in the family.

Municipal water utilities are required to regularly test their water supplies and, under the Safe Drinking Water Act, are required to notify the public if maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) have been exceeded. Currently, however, there is no legislation requiring tests specifically for cryptosporidium (although efforts are underway to make this type of testing mandatory).

In addition, tests conducted by the utility company only cover water at the plant. They do not currently analyze what happens to the water after it leaves the facility and travels to the home, although this is another area under legislative review.

Another challenge is the continuous changing of MCLs. As new studies and data become available, the EPA constantly revises its standards, so that what is acceptable today may not be in a few years. Some parents question whether any amount of a contaminant is acceptable, regardless of whether it exceeds an MCL. Most believe a policy that minimizes all contaminants is the only acceptable standard.

You could boil all your water, since this is an effective way to kill microbes. Of course, it may not always be practical from a time and convenience standpoint. And doctors and the EPA now warn against the dangers of over-boiling water — especially water being used for infant formula — since prolonged boiling or re-boiling can actually concentrate lead levels already in the water.

If you're concerned about inhaling chlorine byproducts in the shower, run a vent or crack a window or door to keep air circulating. Also, let water stand in an open pitcher in the refrigerator for one or two days before mixing punch or lemonade so that most of the byproducts can evaporate.

To reduce exposure to lead contamination from drinking water, the EPA recommends the following:

Let water run for several minutes before using, especially early in the morning after water has sat in the pipes for several hours. Standing water leaches lead more readily.

Only use cold water for drinking and cooking since hot water increases the risk of lead leaching.

Remove loose lead solder and debris from plumbing materials in newly constructed homes or homes where plumbing was recently replaced. This can be accomplished by removing faucet strainers or aerators from all taps and running water for three to five minutes. This process should be repeated several times throughout the year.

Many Americans have attempted to alleviate their concerns by buying bottled water. However, in June of 1996 the American Academy of Pediatrics denounced bottled water as a safer alternative to tap water, saying that it was not pure enough for infants and should still be boiled.

Beyond the questions of purity, though, are the expense and inconvenience of buying bottled water, which can be 100-1200 times the cost of tap water, depending on the brand. Plus, you still have quality concerns with ice cubes and recipes, unless they're made with bottled water, too.

An option that has boomed in popularity in recent years is the purchase of in-home water treatment systems. Although there are many options on the market, from pour-through filters to faucet attachments, the CDC has recognized that reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective means for reducing dissolved solids, lead and other contaminants that may be in the water. Even the EPA recommends RO systems for lead reduction.

Due to the proven effectiveness and increased consumer education regarding ROs, the home RO filter industry has more than doubled since 1985 to more than $100 million.

RO systems, like those manufactured by Kinetico, operate by forcing pressurized water through an ultra-fine membrane. The Kinetico systems feature a five-stage protection process, as well as the patented EverClean Rinse^TM, which automatically cleans the system with high-quality water to protect its membrane and ensure every drop of water is equally as good. Without EverClean Rinse, RO membranes are either not cleaned at all or they're cleaned with untreated water. The result is shorter membrane life and the possibility that unclean water could migrate into the first glass of water drawn after the system has shut off.

A few RO systems on the market actually remind consumers when it's time to change the filter cartridges. On the Kinetico systems, the exclusive MACguard Filter^TM signals the need for a filter cartridge change — every time without question. The system actually shuts itself off to protect drinking water quality and prevent filter overuse.

Although drinking water systems (especially highly efficient ones) are not inexpensive (ranging from $40 to $4,000), they pay for themselves within several years when factoring in the alternative cost of bottled water. Kinetico RO systems, as well as some others on the market, offer the added benefit of being certified by NSF International, an internationally recognized testing lab, to ensure they'll perform as promised. Along with other tests, NSF certifies systems for their ability to reduce very specific contaminants, so consumers know exactly what they're protected against.

As an additional protective feature, Kinetico Drinking Water Systems come with a special lead-free faucet to keep lead from entering the water supply at the point of use.

"Kinetico and other reputable members of the Water Quality Association (the water treatment industry's trade association) don't want to sell systems based on a parent's fear," explains Krupinski. "But given the overall convenience and efficiency with which our systems handle a wide variety of contaminants, RO systems deliver peace of mind and the best value."

To assist consumers with their water quality questions, Kinetico has established a consumer water hotline. Call 1-800-944-WATER (9283) to speak with a water expert or to request the free brochure, "Consumer's Guide to Protecting the Water Your Family Drinks." Or visit Kinetico's site on the World Wide Web for more information about water.

Kinetico Incorporated, headquartered in Newbury, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of quality water systems. An extensive network of Kinetico dealers serving residential and light commercial customers has helped millions of people in North America and nearly 100 countries experience the benefits of conditioned water and premium drinking water. Industrial customers utilize Kinetico's unique technology for water recycling, hazardous waste minimization, metals recovery and high purity water production. Kinetico also applies unique filtration technology to small municipal water treatment systems. Since 1970, Kinetico has prided itself on creating unique water systems that serve customers in an expanding variety of residential, commercial, industrial and municipal applications.

For more information about the water you drink, call Kinetico at 1-800-944-WATER (9283) and request the FREE Consumers’s Guide to Protecting the Water Your Family Drinks. Or visit Kinetico's Web site at www.kinetico.com for more information about water.