What Happens When Pollutants Get Into Groundwater?

What happens when groundwater becomes polluted? Water that contains contaminants such as lead, copper or mercury leaches into the ground and contaminates aquifers. Drinking this water can cause harmful problems in your body; the long term effects of ingesting too many contaminants are still unknown. As with all pollutants, the longer it stays in the environment and therefore in your body, the more damage it can cause. So even if you may not be aware of this, it is always important to make sure that you have your groundwater tested on a regular basis just to keep an eye on contamination levels.

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What happens when groundwater is further contaminated? Groundwater that has already been contaminated can be further contaminated by the addition of new contaminants or the reintroduction of previously used chemicals. These introduced chemicals and pollutants can interact with natural organisms in the water to form new types of pollution. This type of pollution can occur in any water system-outdoor or in-ground water sources, including reservoirs, streams, wells, and rivers. For help with water or Land Remediation Services, go to Soilfix

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When does groundwater become polluted? Underground water pollution occurs when contaminants interact with natural substances such as minerals and sediments in the water. Some contaminants stick to rocks, while others float on top of the water or even penetrate the surface. Some chemicals stay in the air or the water, and these move around in the water, potentially mixing with naturally occurring elements before they can reach the groundwater. If these chemicals do mix with natural particles, they can react and create contamination in groundwater supplies.