CleanBeta

Map of Metal-Contaminated Water in U.S.

The term “heavy metals” has several definitions. The applicable meaning depends on the context in which the term is used. In this instance, the term refers to water contamination by metallic elements not specifically included in other contaminant categories like mercury, which has its own map. In general, the heavy metals reflected in this map are high atomic weight elements like lead, cadmium, iron, selenium, chromium and several other. Meanwhile, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes some metals in its definition of inorganic compounds:

“Inorganic Contaminants : Mineral-based compounds such as metals, nitrates, and asbestos. These contaminants are naturally-occurring in some water, but can also get into water through farming, chemical manufacturing, and other human activities. EPA has set legal limits on 15 inorganic contaminants.”

Other definitions of “heavy metals” can be found here . . .

Map of Water Depletion in U.S. Aquifers

bibliography-of-sources-of-water-data

***Map Provided Courtesy of The Center of Advanced Materials for the Purification of Water with Systems (WaterCAMPWS)