Public health

U.S. drinking water supply mostly safe, but that’s not good enough

Most Americans take clean drinking water for granted as a convenience of modern life. The United States has one of the world’s safest drinking water supplies, but new challenges constantly emerge.

For example, on May 6 researchers at the nonprofit Environmental Working Group and Northeastern University reported that 43 states have sites where water is contaminated with toxic fluorinated compounds known as PFAS. And many farm workers in California’s Central Valley have to buy bottled water because their tap water contains unsafe levels of arsenic and agricultural chemicals that have been linked to elevated risks of infant death and cancer in adults.

As a scientist specializing in water quality, I believe water providers and regulators can’t afford to be complacent.

So I was distressed to hear EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler tout the quality of drinking water in the U.S. in an interview on March 20, 2019. “I want to make sure the American public understands 92 percent of the water everyday meets all the EPA requirements for safe drinking water,” Wheeler said.

Let’s do the math on that. Nationwide, 327 million Americans each drink two to eight glasses of water on average every day. If 8% […]

More about: forever chemicals (PFAS, etc.), pollution, and public health

Summary
Article Name
U.S. drinking water supply mostly safe, but that’s not good enough
Description
Most Americans take clean drinking water for granted. The United States has one of the world's safest water supplies, but new challenges constantly emerge.
Author
Publisher Name
The Conversation
Publisher Logo

Recent Posts

Invisible Threats: Understanding Water Contaminants in the U.S.

Clean water is essential for life, yet millions of Americans unknowingly consume contaminants through their…

1 week ago

High levels of microplastics in human brains appear to be increasing

Human brains contain higher concentrations of microplastics than other organs, according to a new study, and the…

4 weeks ago

California: executive order to help capture and store more water from severe storms

From the Office of the Governor: In anticipation of a multi-day, significant atmospheric river in Northern California,…

1 month ago

Experts give the real facts on California water

From Governor Newsom: Scientists, water managers, state leaders, and experts throughout the state are calling…

2 months ago

Water Quality and Protection

Photo: A harmful algal bloom in Milford Lake, Kansas, made the water appear bright green.…

2 months ago

World’s Fifth-Largest Economy Is About to Ban Most Polystyrene Foam

An expanded plastic foam coffee cup is at a donut shop in Monterey Park, California.…

2 months ago