Water contamination is often the result of careless handling and storage of hazardous chemicals and wastes. These chemicals may be stored in failing above ground or underground storage tanks or may havebeen historically disposed of straight to the ground, sewer, or water.
Water contamination can lead to aesthetic problems with water, such as problems with water’s taste, odor, or appearance, and can also lead to more serious problems like cancer and other diseases. The goal of a water contamination lawsuit is to clean up the water and remove the risks posed by these hazards.
Several common sources of water contamination are illustrated below:
- Gasoline stations, pipelines, or bulk storage areas – MTBE, benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene
- Drycleaners – Perchloroethylene (also known as PCE, or tetrachloroethylene) and carbon tetrachloride
- Farming operations – pesticides including atrazine, dibromochlorpropane, simazine, etc.
- Other industrial sources – vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene (TCE), etc.
- Landfills – Any and all of the above
Many of these contaminants are carcinogenic or are suspected of causing developmental or other serious illnesses. Individuals suffering from water contamination may not realize until they have been exposed for years, and may already have developed symptoms of exposure such as anemia, headaches, fertility problems, or various types of cancer.