Arkansas Department of Health & Human Services
Division of Health
Center for Local Public Health - Environmental Health Branch - Engineering Section

Drinking water pollutants involve microbes, chemicals or compounds that have been studied under laboratory conditions and are believed to be unhealthy to consume. Some of these contaminants can have an immediate impact on a person’s health (such as drinking water that has germs in it that can cause hepatitis). Other contaminants can affect a person’s health after drinking the water for several years (such as water that contains cancer-causing industrial solvents). These contaminants are grouped into categories and each water system submits water samples to be analyzed for them If the water tests show that there is a problem, the Health Department works with the water system and takes appropriate action to protect its water customers. Sometimes this even involves alerting the public that a problem exists. This warning is usually in the form of a “Boil Water Order” or a “Cease Use” alert.