Industrial water pollution has been a problem for many years. New regulations have reduced the output of chemicals and other contaminants. But wastewater treatment is still not as good as it should be. Toxins still end up in our freshwater supplies.

Drinking water treatment facilities are somewhat more effective than wastewater treatment facilities, but there are no 100% effective treatments at the industrial level. The most effective treatments are those designed for home use.

 Here are some examples of the toxins that may be flowing out of your tap and what you can do to stop them.

Pharmaceuticals
Investigative reports have shown that traces of numerous drugs are present in many publicly treated supplies. The traces are small, to be sure, but even at miniscule doses, drugs can cause health problems.

Scientists studying the problem are concerned not only with the amount of drugs, but with the many different types that are present. They are particularly concerned for children and pregnant women. The toxins could cause birth defects or an increased risk of cancer.

Simple carbon filters available for home use will remove the drug traces and increase your safety. Some filters are better than others, however. So, it is important to shop around.

Benzene
Benzene contamination is a type of industry water pollution. Benzene is known to cause cancer. The chemical has been found in what appear to be pristine freshwater supplies. Even Perrier was recalled a few years ago, because of benzene contamination.

Only the best home water filters will remove benzene. It takes special filtering media to trap the chemical. You can read a manufacturer's product performance data in order to be sure that the filter provides protection. If no performance data is available for the product, you should choose another brand.

THMs
THMs or trihalomethanes are a kind of industry water pollution that is actually caused by the public treatment facilities. The chemicals are known to cause an increased risk of cancer, but they are byproducts of the disinfection processes that protect us from waterborne illnesses.

The only solution to THMs is a specially designed home water purifier. It's a good idea to install a THM-removing filter on your showerhead, too. The chemicals may be even more dangerous when they are inhaled and absorbed through the skin.

New regulations may help to further reduce industrial water pollution. But until the problem is resolved completely, we can only protect ourselves by investing in home water purifiers.