Mapping Contaminants in Western Springs Water: A Public Health Analysis

Abstract

Course name Instructor’s name Assignment due date Lab 3: Water Quality and the State of Our Water Resources [Name] Determining the amount of contaminants in water sources serving a particular community could indicate the need for scientific interventions to prevent health issues. The mapping study for this project is my community which is Western Springs, [City, State]. The community has a population of 13,125 people who rely ground water for domestic use and drinking. During the mapping exercise, the concentration of the four contaminants of concern was as indicated in the list below: Nitrate: 0.00 mg/L, Arsenic: 0.00 µg/L, Fluoride: 0.47 mg/L and Total dissolved solids: 244.00 mg/L. The occurrence mapping showed that both nitrate and arsenic compounds present in the water at Water Springs were insignificant to cause concern to the users. The amount of fluoride was 0.47 mg/L, which is below the 0.7 mg/L concentration that would cause health issues among the users (Water Quality Research Foundation (WQRF), 2025). The total amount of dissolved solids in the water was 244.00 mg/L while guidelines indicate that water should have lower than 500.00 mg/L concentration of the contaminant. The levels of contaminants in the water at my community was not too high to cause alarm or potential health implications on the consumers. Determining the potential health effects of water contamination facilitates response by agencies responsible for providing water to consumers. The contaminants in the current project have significant health effects as demonstrated by symptoms of using water with high levels of the compounds. High levels of nitrates expose the population to thyroid problems, increase the risk of cancers, and cause mathemoglobinemia or blue baby syndrome to infants. Additionally, consuming water with high levels of nitrates can cause adverse effects on pregnancies including fetal deaths and spontaneous abortions. Children in communities with high nitrate-level water are likely to have low-birth weight and related health conditions. High levels of arsenic in drinking water cause both short-term and long-term health complications on the population. There are high risks of diarrhea, muscle pains, and skin problems in the short-term (Scanlon et al., 2022). People exposed to high levels of arsenic are at a higher risk of having a wide range of cancers, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, diabetes, and nerve disease. The period of exposure affects the severity and level of risk caused by the contaminant on the population. Fluoride levels in the water at the community were lower than levels that would have adverse effects on the users. Potential complications resulting from excess fluoride include dental fluorosis and high risk of kidney failure from long periods of exposure. Dental fluorosis is severe among children and it causes the discoloration of teeth and pitting in extreme cases. The amount of total dissolved solids in the water in my community is safe for drinking and other domestic uses (Scanlon et al., 2022). High levels would cause potential health issues with symptoms such as kidney disease and heart problems from prolonged exposure. A major concern for total dissolved solids is that it affects the characteristics of water such as smell and color that makes it unpleasant for the consumers. Appropriate water purification strategies are necessary for regions and communities relying on water with high levels of dissolved solids. The greatest concern for the water in my community is that the levels of fluoride and absorbed solids could increase in the future leading to health complications. Water Springs relies on ground water that supplies the community with the resources for domestic uses. While the levels of the contaminants are low, it is necessary to implement measures to ensure that they do not rise to levels that can cause health concerns. It is necessary for government agencies and other players to anticipate and prevent potential causes of contamination that may affect water quality in the community in the future. A follow-up with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) (2025) showed that there are PFAs in my community that may affect the quality of water. These chemicals are the result of human activity and accumulate in water sources leading to harmful effects on the consumers. There is need to address the accumulation of the chemicals in my community and in the United States in general to prevent potential harms to consumers in the future. Virtual Lab Simulation: Sampling Main Content Overview Questions Determining the factors that can distort the sampling process ensures the accuracy of the sampling process to ensure that it represents the quality of the water. One of the factors that can affect the actual quality of the sample is precipitation since runoff water can affect the sampling process. Sampling should be done when there is minimal risk of the water in a source being contaminated by precipitation. Additionally, collecting waster too close to the bank of a river or pond produces misleading results...