WATER QUALITY AND CONTAMINATION
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Abstract
The experiment was based on the identifying the effect of different contaminants on ground water. The yielded result indicated that, when vinegar is filtered through dirt the vinegar filtrate was relatively clean. The results noted were indicative that vinegar is not affected by contaminants that affect.

Introduction
In the lab report, we will have a look at how various contaminates influence the water supply. In the world, there are various contaminates that contaminate ground water. These contaminants range from the simple items we use in the house such as cooking oil and laundry detergents to the well-known contaminants that come from agricultural and industrial processes. The experiments sought to answer the question how and why these particular contaminants affect what we drink from the faucet.
One of the most common contaminants in water is lead. Studies have indicated that had a detrimental effect on children especially those in the development stages of their life and cancer in adults. According to Bruce Lanphear, a renowned pediatric epidemiologist, lead found in water is usually underappreciated service in terms of intake of lead. Statistics has shown that approximately 10-20% of children are exposed to lead through intake of drinking water.
Pharmaceutical chemicals are another common contaminant of water. Many individuals usually do not know that they are exposed to this form of contaminant. Some of the chemicals found to be contaminating water are antidepressants, steroids and heart medications. Although there has been little study on the effect of such pharmaceutical drug on the human health, there are arguments that long term exposure to such even though in low dosages has the potential of affecting one's health. In addition, to negatively affectg the health of individuals such drugs have a great effect on the flora and fauna. One of the effects that have been noted is that aquatic life mere specifically hive have developed more female like adaptation due to the hormonal imbalance that is caused by such pharmaceutical drugs.
Although the government has been seen to take a drastic measure to reduce the contamination of water by water treatment, some of these contaminants still find their way into the water. In order to enforce the water contamination policies, the government introduced the US Environmental Protection Agency. This agency has been tasked with the mandate to issue standards to reduce the contamination of water. On such standard is the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. This act was developed with the basic aim of reducing
Although some steps have been undertaken by the government in order to help improve the standards of wastewater treatment plants and a water treatment, some of the contaminants found in water seep into the water supply once the water has been filtered. The government has done this by the establishment of the The US Environmental Protection Agency. The agency has issued standards for drinking water through the implementation of policies like the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974. However, the standards are not foolproof; some of the municipalities are not in compliance with the standards. One other key problem is the cost of setting up an adequate filtration systems that will be able to filter out of the contaminants that are not detected at the present time.
The reason for conducting the following experiment is to establish how contaminants affect ground water. In the experiment it was hypothesised that, when water is poured through the different breakers the filtrate will still contain dirt.
Materials and Methods
The experiment required the following materials and equipment: 1. 8, 250mL beakers, 2. three wooden stir sticks, 3. 100mL graduated cylinder, 4. 10mL of vegetable oil, 5. 10mL of vinegar, 6. 10mL of liquid laundry detergent, 7. 100mL beaker, 8. 240mL of soil, 9. funnel, 10. cheesecloth, 11. Water.