Aquaphobia

New York State journalists periodically sound the alarm about water contamination.  The largest system listed as a "serious violator" requiring priority compliance is Scotia Village Water Works in Schenectady, which serves about 12,800 people. Within a one-mile radius live about 1,933 children, including 452 children ages 5 and younger.
Samples taken between January and June last year detected lead at a concentration of 0.0052 mg/L. Although this figure remains below the federal action level (0.015 mg/L), experts warn that even small amounts can be harmful, especially for infants and young children.

This Expert's Analysis: The Federal EPA-allowed level is extremely low, and no harm at all has ever been proven. The maximum lead concentration found is a third of the regulated level; yet the media periodically brings up this issue, causing fear in the public. Fear sells; that has been proven ever since. 

Fear of water is called hydrophobia, which is a symptom of rabies, while aquaphobia is a psychological anxiety disorder involving an irrational fear of water. It can be treated with two forms of psychotherapy: exposure therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Exposure therapy is the preferred treatment. During this type of therapy, you’ll be repeatedly exposed to the source of the phobia — in this case, water. As you’re exposed to water, your therapist will keep track of your reactions, thoughts, feelings, and sensations to help you manage your anxiety.

With cognitive behavioral therapy, you’ll learn to challenge your thoughts and beliefs about your fear of water. As you learn to challenge your fears, you’ll also develop strategies to cope with those thought patterns and beliefs.