A team of researchers collected samples from a total of 932 public wells, and compared their observations to treated water samples.

The results of the comparison showed that approximately 75 percent of the untreated water samples were concentrated with radon, arsenic and other natural contaminants, wchich can cause health problems in humans. The researchers also found levels of man-made chemicals, such as herbicides, insecticides, solvents, gasoline and nitrate in untreated water.

"Detections of contaminants do not necessarily indicate a concern for human health because USGS analytical methods can detect many contaminants at [different concentration levels]," said Patricia Toccalino, lead scientist of the study. She added that "assessing contaminants in these small amounts helps to track emerging issues in our water resources and to identify contaminants that may warrant inclusion in future monitoring."

Unsafe water sources that have been contaminated with various chemicals cause more than 3 percent of all deaths in the world, according to the United Nations Environmental Program.

According to a new study published in General Dentistry, scientists found that more people would rather drink tap water as a means of having good dental health rather than go to the dentist for treatment, which can sometimes involve painful drilling. More than 144 million Americans consume tap water on a daily basis.

"Fluoride makes the entire tooth structure more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, which aids in repairing early decay before damage is even visible," said C.H. Chu, lead author of the study. "Studies have confirmed the most effective source of fluoride to be water fluoridation."

In addition to drinking tap water as a source of fluoride, individuals may also want to use the nutritional supplements calcium and vitamin D into their diet, as they can lead to tooth strength.

According to researchers from the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, there may be a quicker way for scientists to detect bacterial contamination in water, which could help them alert the general public if there is something in the water that they should be concerned with.

The current process takes at least 24 hours, but the researchers were concerned that this was not quick enough to properly warn swimmers as bacteria levels can change at a rapid pace.

The scientists have created a portable device that can offer fast results, a tool that they’re confident could be used by the masses.

"We envision a tool that can be used by lifeguards to collect and analyze water samples throughout the day, providing beachgoers with up-to-date, near-real-time data on water conditions," researcher Christine Lee said.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection found that tiny amounts of medication ranging from antidepressants to birth controls are tainting the state’s water, which can be detrimental to both humans and fish, according to MSNBC.

Discarded drugs were found in water at three landfills in Maine, which may have infiltrated the state’s rivers. Previous studies have shown that flushing drugs down the toilet can result in tainted water, but no one was able to determine what would happen if the drugs were discarded in the trash.

"People need a way to properly dispose of their drugs, and they’re not getting it right now," Mark Hyland, director of the state Department of Environmental Quality’s Bureau of Remediation and Waste Management, told the news provider.

According to Science News, the state is considering a take back bill that will allow individuals to return their unused medications to drug companies.

According to Reuters, the study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that people who drink water tend to eat a diet higher in fiber and lower in sugar and calorie-dense foods.

According to researchers involved with the study, the findings do not prove that drinking water makes people eat healthier. Rather, it suggests a connection between the two.

Health experts recommend staying hydrated with water as an important part of a proper diet since it is calorie-free and can help make the stomach seem full.

Some claim alkaline water is an even better choice. According to ImmuneSystemRemedies.com, ionized alkaline water is a powerful antioxidant, effective detoxifier and superior hydrator, compared to conventional drinking water. In addition, it can help with weight loss, allows for better absorption of the nutrients from food and can make skin appear healthier through effective hydration.

Insufficient water intake may cause individuals to experience routine fatigue, dry skin, headaches, constipation and a decrease in normal bodily functions.

Researchers from Robert Gordon’s University in Aberdeen, Scotland, found that microorganisms called Arthrobacter, Brevibacterium and Rhodococcus were capable of neutralizing toxins produced by blue-green algae.

Also known as cyanobacteria, the algae live in both salt and fresh waters and produce microcystins which attack liver cells causing acute and chronic poisoning in those drinking or even bathing in contaminated water.

"Using bacteria to remove microcystins from water provides a reliable, cost-effective purification system, which does not involve any use of harmful chemicals or any other substances harmful to the environment," says researcher Aakash Welgama, who furthermore adds that most of the world’s population cannot afford advanced purification technologies.

As the research continues, those who are concerned about the quality of their drinking water may turn to alkaline water. It is has a higher pH level, and there is evidence it may help to neutralize stored acids and toxins and facilitate their removal from the body.

Some also believe alkaline water can help resist disease and slow the aging process.

However, breakthrough research from UCLA may help remedy the situation.

A team of scientists from UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science has developed a new mini-mobile-modular (M3) "smart" water desalination and filtration system.

"The system measures in real-time water pH, temperature, turbidity and salinity," said Cohen, who is also the director of UCLA’s Water Technology Research (WaTeR) Center, which is overseeing this project.

"It can control a variety of process variables, including the precise measure of chemical additives to condition the water," he adds.

The researchers say in a recent trial 65 percent of the water that was fed in was recovered as drinking water, but it could go up to 95 percent using an accelerated chemical demineralization process that was also developed at UCLA.

The continuing research into efficient ways of obtaining clean water is a reminder of the importance of water quality for the well-being of communities across America.

Some health practitioners have also advocated including alkaline water in everyday diet. This type of water has a higher pH level, and there is evidence it may help to neutralize stored acids and toxins and facilitate their removal from the body.

Some also believe alkaline water can help resist disease and slow the aging process.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the new guidance has been published by the American Academy of Pediatrics and calls for annual well testing, especially for nitrate and microorganisms such as coliform bacteria, which can indicate that sewage has contaminated the well.

It also specifies that additional testing should take place when there is a new infant in the house or if the well is subjected to structural damage.

"Children are especially vulnerable to waterborne illnesses that may come from contaminated wells," says Dr. Walter J. Rogan, an epidemiologist and lead author of the policy statement and technical report that appears in the June issue of Pediatrics.

The researchers say nitrate, which comes from sewage or fertilizer, is the most common contaminant in wells and is problematic because infants under three months of age cannot metabolize nitrate.

According to NIH, approximately one-sixth of U.S. households get their drinking water from private wells.

To protect themselves and their families from poor water quality, some people have turned to alkaline water. It has a higher pH level, and there is evidence it may help to neutralize stored acids and toxins and facilitate their removal from the body.

Some also believe alkaline water can help resist disease and slow the aging process.

Scientists from the University of Alabama at Birmingham reached this conclusion based on a larger study which aimed to uncover the source of differences in bladder cancer rates across the U.S.

The researchers compared bladder cancer incidence and mortality rates for men and women to levels of cigarette smoking, solar UV radiation and well water as a source of drinking.

The results reaffirmed that cigarette smoking is directly associated with bladder cancer incidence and mortality rates, and found that well water intake is directly associated with bladder cancer incidence in women and mortality rates in both sexes.

Moreover, exposure to solar UV radiation is inversely associated with the risk.

"Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor associated with bladder cancer but sources such as the patient’s water supply are coming to light as potential unmonitored risk factors," says Dr. J. Brantley Thrasher, a spokesman for the American Urological Association.

To explain the results, the researchers hypothesize that increased risks may arise from pesticide contamination, which may be present in drinking water from unmonitored domestic wells.

Those concerned about the quality of the water they drink may turn to the alkaline water.

It has a higher pH level, and there is evidence it may help neutralize stored acids and toxins and facilitate their removal from the body.