Due to an increase in our service population, the required number of coliform bacteria samples went from five per month to seven per month. We collected only six samples in the month of November 1999. Since then, we have collected the required seven samples each month. Sources of drinking water , both tap water and bottle water origininate as surface water from rivers and lakes or as ground water from springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material.
Water picks up wastes from both human and animal activities.
Surface water must be carefully filtered and disinfected to remove bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Ground water is usually filtered naturally. Inorganic contaminants such as heavy metals, can be naturally-occurring or result from urban storm water runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges. Pesticides and herbicides may come from agriculture and residential uses. Radioactive contaminants are naturally occurring.