Health effects related to contaminants in drinking water can be divided into two categories: those that cause acute effects and those that cause chronic effects.
Acute health effects
Acute effects are usually seen within a short time after exposure to a substance. Acute effects may result from water containing pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, or they may result from a single large exposure to a chemical contaminant. Acute health effects are generally reversible as long as the contaminant of …