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Drinking Water: Clean or ContaminatedLearning About What Comes Out of Your Water FaucetsContaminants in drinking water from pharmaceuticals, microbes and toxins and cosmetics, perfumes, automotive coolants and pesticides can be risks to human health
Although most drinking water suppliers meet the standards set by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), there is a growing number of threats than can contaminate the water that comes into homes due to the by-products of modern life styles. While contamination occurs infrequently, when it does, the effects can be a catastrophe for those who become ill. During 1993 and 1994, there were 30 reported outbreaks of disease associated with drinking water, 23 associated with public water supplies. An outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in Milwaukee during that time resulted in 400,000 victims being treated, with 4000 being hospitalized and over 50 deaths. Some outbreaks can be traced to contamination by bacteria or viruses, most likely linked to animal or human waste. There are certain pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium, that can pass through filtration and disinfection to cause gastrointestinal diseases. The consequences for people with compromised immune systems can be serious. Drinking Water StandardsThe EPA issues drinking water standards or Maximum Contamination Levels (MCLs) for over 80 contaminates. The standards limit the amount of each substance allowed. A risk assessment process is used to set drinking water quality standards. Risks are estimated separately for cancer and non-cancer effects. MCLs are set on known or anticipated adverse human health effects which are based on lifetime exposure. The exceptions are the standards for coliform bacteria and nitrates as these can pose immediate threats to health. To comply with MCLs, public water systems have a choice of any state-approved treatment. But in some cases, the EPA may require use of a particular treatment technique instead, for example, when the contaminant cannot be measured easily. Checking Out the Water SupplyThe EPA is responsible for regulating drinking water contaminants, however it does not test for all of them. The Agency does not monitor and report on the more than 7,500 chemicals and microbes in the water supply. General water resource information can be found at its headquarters, in its 10 regional offices and on the Internet. State agencies can also supply information on the water supply and its quality. Local public health departments, the water supplier and also some environmental organizations can also be helpful in supplying answers and statistics.. Since the original Safe Drinking Water Act was passed by Congress in 1974, the EPA has set uniform nationwide minimum standards for safe drinking water. However, it is the State public health and environmental agencies that have the primary responsibility to make sure every community meets healthful drinking water standards. Sources: U.S. Environmental Protections Agency: Ground Water & Drinking Water; Ground Water Protection: A Citizens Action Checklist. World Health Organization: Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality
The copyright of the article Drinking Water: Clean or Contaminated in Public Healthcare Issues is owned by Martha R. Gore. Permission to republish Drinking Water: Clean or Contaminated in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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