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Emerging contaminants, or contaminants of emerging concern, are pollutants that have been or are expected to be found in the environment which have no or limited regulations. They can be man-made or naturally occurring substances and microorganisms They can be physical, chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials. The biggest concern about emerging contaminants is determining if they pose a risk to human health, aquatic life, or the environment. Ongoing research and regulatory efforts are needed to better understand the risks posed by emerging contaminants and to develop effective strategies for their management.
Examples of emerging contaminants that affect well water are:
Agricultural contaminants such as pesticides
Microbial contaminants such as virus and bacteria
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Hygiene Products
Additional Resources:
Emerging Contaminants. Wisconsin Groundwater Coordinateing Council Report. 2024.
CWSRF Emerging Contaminants- Frequent Questions and Answers. US Environmental Protection Agency.
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