Posted on the 22nd March 2025 in Water Distillers
79 COMMON DRINKING WATER CONTAMINANTS AND THEIR EFFECTS
A comprehensive list detailing all the common drinking water contaminants and their potential harmful effects
Only distillation followed by activated charcoal filtration will completely remove all these contaminants. We have classified them into groups.
Micro-organisms - bacteria and viruses. All are killed by distillation.
Information on the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal, the Maximum Contaminant Level or Treatment Technique, and the health effects and sources for contaminants under the Microorganisms category.
| Contaminant | Potential Health Effects from Long-Term Exposure | Sources of Contamination |
| Cryptosporidium | Gastrointestinal illness (eg. diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps) | Human and animal faecal waste |
| Giardia lamblia | Gastrointestinal illness (eg. diarrhoea, vomiting and cramps) | Human and animal faecal waste |
| Heterotrophic plate count (HPC) | HPC has no health effects; it is simply a way to measure the variety of bacteria that are common in water. The lower the concentration of bacteria in drinking water, the better maintained the water system is. | HPC measures a range of bacteria naturally present in the environment |
| Legionella | Legionnaire's Disease, a type of pneumonia | Found naturally in water; multiplies in heating systems |
| Total Coliforms (including faecal coliform and E. Coli | Not a health threat in itself; but can indicate when other potentially harmful bacteria may be present | Coliforms are naturally present in the environment; as well as faeces; faecal coliforms and E. coli only come from human and animal fecal waste. |
| Turbidity | Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. It is used to indicate water quality and filtration effectiveness (such as whether disease-causing organisms are present). Higher turbidity levels are often associated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms such as viruses, parasites and some bacteria. These organisms can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhoea, and associated headaches. | Soil run-off |
| Viruses | Gastro-intestinal illness (such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and cramps) | Human and animal faecal waste |
Disinfection by-products - these are products that have often been used to disinfect the water. They are removed by distillation and filtration.
| Contaminant | Potential Health Effects from Long-Term Exposure | Sources of Contamination |
| Bromate | Increased risk of cancer | By-product of drinking water disinfection |
| Chlorite | Anaemia; infants and young children: nervous system effects | By-product of drinking water disinfection |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | Increased risk of cancer | By-product of drinking water disinfection |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | Liver, kidney or central nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer | By-product of drinking water disinfection |
Disinfectants - the domestic and industrial use of disinfectants can pollute your water supply. They are removed by distillation and filtration. The Megahome distiller incorporates distillation and filtration.
| Contaminant | Potential Health Effects from Long-Term Exposure | Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water |
| Chloramines (as Cl2) | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort, anaemia | Water additive used to control microbes |
| Chlorine (as Cl2) | Eye/nose irritation; stomach discomfort | Water additive used to control microbes |
| Chlorine dioxide (as ClO2) | Anaemia; infants and young children: nervous system effects | Water additive used to control microbes |
Inorganic Chemicals - these can come from a variety of sources, very often industrial. They are removed by distillation.
| Contaminant | Potential Health Effects from Long-Term Exposure | Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water |
| Antimony | Increase in blood cholesterol; decrease in blood sugar | Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; ceramics; electronics; solder |
| Arsenic | Skin damage or problems with circulatory systems, and may have increased risk of getting cancer | Erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards, runoff from glass and electronics production wastes |
| Asbestos (fiber > 10 micrometers) | Increased risk of developing benign intestinal polyps | Decay of asbestos cement in water mains; erosion of natural deposits |
| Barium | Increase in blood pressure | Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits |
| Beryllium | Intestinal lesions | Discharge from metal refineries and coal-burning factories; discharge from electrical, aerospace, and defense industries |
| Cadmium | Kidney damage | Corrosion of galvanised pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints |
| Chromium (total) | Allergic dermatitis | Discharge from steel and pulp mills; erosion of natural deposits |
| Copper | Short term exposure: Gastrointestinal distress Long term exposure: Liver or kidney damage People with Wilson's Disease should consult their GP if the amount of copper in their water is high |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits |
| Cyanide (as free cyanide) | Nerve damage or thyroid problems | Discharge from steel/metal factories; discharge from plastic and fertiliser factories |
| Fluoride | Bone disease (pain and tenderness of the bones); Children may get mottled teeth | Water additive which promotes strong teeth; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertiliser and aluminum factories |
| Lead | Infants and children: Delays in physical or mental development; children could show slight deficits in attention span and learning abilities Adults: Kidney problems; high blood pressure |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits |
| Mercury (inorganic) | Kidney damage | Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from refineries and factories; runoff from landfills and croplands |
| Nitrate (measured as Nitrogen) | Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate above safe levels could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. | Run-off from fertilizer use; leaking from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
| Nitrite (measured as Nitrogen) | Infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrite above safe levels could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die. Symptoms include shortness of breath and blue-baby syndrome. | Run-off from fertilizer use; leaking from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits |
| Selenium | Hair or fingernail loss; numbness in fingers or toes; circulatory problems | Discharge from petroleum refineries; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines |
| Thallium | Hair loss; changes in blood; kidney, intestine, or liver problems | Leaching from ore-processing sites; discharge from electronics, glass, and drug factories |
Organic Chemicals - again, a variety of different sources and many have unresearched side-effects. These types of chemicals are typically removed by filtration through activated charcoal which is why the Megahome Distiller has an activated carbon filter. Many are also removed by distillation.
| Contaminant | Potential Health Effects from Long-Term Exposure | Sources of Contamination |
| Acrylamide | Nervous system or blood problems; increased risk of cancer | Added to water during sewage / wastewater treatment |
| Alachlor | Eye, liver, kidney or spleen problems; anaemia; increased risk of cancer | Run-off from herbicide used on crops |
| Atrazine | Cardiovascular system or reproductive problems | Run-off from herbicide used on crops |
| Benzene | Anaemia; decrease in blood platelets; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from factories; leaching from gas storage tanks and landfills |
| Benzo(a)pyrene (PAHs) | Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Leaching from linings of water storage tanks and distribution lines |
| Carbofuran | Problems with blood, nervous system, or reproductive system | Leaching of soil fumigant used on rice and alfalfa |
| Carbon tetrachloride | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from chemical plants and other industrial activities |
| Chlordane | Liver or nervous system problems; increased risk of cancer | Residue of banned insecticide |
| Chlorobenzene | Liver or kidney problems | Discharge from chemical and agricultural chemical factories |
| 2,4-D | Kidney, liver, or adrenal gland problems | Run-off from herbicide used on row crops |
| Dalapon | Minor kidney changes | Run-off from herbicide used on rights of way |
| 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) | Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Run-off / leaching from soil fumigant used on orchards |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | Liver, kidney, or circulatory system problems | Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | Anemia; liver, kidney or spleen damage; changes in blood | Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | Increased risk of cancer | Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | Liver problems | Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Liver problems | Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | Liver problems | Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
| Dichloromethane | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from drug and chemical factories |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | Increased risk of cancer | Discharge from industrial chemical factories |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate | Weight loss, liver problems, or possible reproductive difficulties. | Discharge from chemical factories |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | Reproductive difficulties; liver problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from rubber and chemical factories |
| Dinoseb | Reproductive difficulties | Run-off from herbicide used on vegetables |
| Dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) | Reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Emissions from waste incineration and other combustion; discharge from chemical factories |
| Diquat | Cataracts | Run-off from herbicide use |
| Endothall | Stomach and intestinal problems | Run-off from herbicide use |
| Endrin | Liver problems | Residue of banned insecticide |
| Epichlorohydrin | Increased cancer risk, and over a long period of time, stomach problems | Discharge from industrial chemical factories; an impurity of some water treatment chemicals |
| Ethylbenzene | Liver or kidneys problems | Discharge from petroleum refineries |
| Ethylene dibromide | Problems with liver, stomach, reproductive system, or kidneys; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from petroleum refineries |
| Glyphosate | Kidney problems; reproductive difficulties | Run-off from herbicide use |
| Heptachlor | Liver damage; increased risk of cancer | Residue of banned termiticide |
| Heptachlor epoxide | Liver damage; increased risk of cancer | Breakdown of heptachlor |
| Hexachlorobenzene | Liver or kidney problems; reproductive difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from metal refineries and agricultural chemical factories |
| Hexachloro cyclopen tadiene | Kidney or stomach problems | Discharge from chemical factories |
| Lindane | Liver or kidney problems | Run-off/leaching from insecticide used on cattle, lumber, gardens |
| Methoxychlor | Reproductive difficulties | Run-off/leaching from insecticide used on fruits, vegetables, livestock |
| Oxamyl (Vydate) | Slight nervous system effects | Run-off/leaching from insecticide used on apples, potatoes, and tomatoes |
| Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) | Skin changes; thymus gland problems; immune deficiencies; reproductive or nervous system difficulties; increased risk of cancer | Run-off from landfills; discharge of waste chemicals |
| Pentachlorophenol | Liver or kidney problems; increased cancer risk | Discharge from wood preserving factories |
| Picloram | Liver problems | Herbicide run-off |
| Simazine | Problems with blood | Herbicide run-off |
| Styrene | Liver, kidney, or circulatory system problems | Discharge from rubber and plastic factories; leaching from landfills |
| Tetrachloroethylene | Liver problems; increased risk of cancer | Discharge from factories and dry cleaners |
| Toluene | Nervous system, kidney, or liver problems | Discharge from petroleum factories |
| Toxaphene | Kidney, liver, or thyroid problems; increased risk of cancer | Run-off/leaching from insecticide used on cotton and cattle |
| 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) | Liver problems | Residue of banned herbicide |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | Changes in adrenal glands | Discharge from textile finishing factories |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | Liver, nervous system, or circulatory problems | Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories |
Conclusion: A rolling boil is the most effective way to kill biological contaminants in drinking water - distillation starts with a rolling boil. Distillation removes the vast bulk of tap water contaminants but there are still some that can pass through a distiller but these are filtered out by the Megahome activated charcoal filter at the end of the distillation process.