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Standards for Safe Drinking Water

Most of us expect the water from our tap to be safe and clean. We expect it to be free of any contaminants that might make us sick or make the water taste bad. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict guidelines known as National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR) that water treatment facilities must follow. They set limits on how much of certain chemicals and microorganisms can be in our drinking water. The EPA's standards ensure that only properly treated and filtered water finds its way into our homes.

  1. Chemical Contaminants

    • Some chemicals are not allowed in drinking water at all. Lead is one of these contaminants, which causes developmental problems in children and kidney problems in adults. Benzene is another dangerous chemical that causes anemia and cancer. Trace amounts of chemicals such as mercury and arsenic are allowed in water. The EPA collects data on contaminants and determines acceptable levels that protect the health of the public and that are achievable based on current water treatment technology.

    Microbial Contaminants

    • The EPA closely regulates microbes in drinking water. Legionella is a microorganism known to cause legionnaire's disease, a potentially deadly type of pneumonia. The EPA does not allow legionella into the water. Viruses are another microorganism that the EPA does not allow in the water at any level. The EPA regulates water treatment plants' testing methods and schedules that screen water regularly for any microbial threats.

    Treatment Techniques

    • Water treatment removes contaminants and makes the water palatable at the same time. Water treatment is a complex process that takes water from a source such as a river and makes it safe to drink. Some facilities use screens that remove large pieces of debris when the water is first brought into the plant. Water then goes through a series of steps to remove solids from the water. One of these steps is called coagulation. A chemical is added to the water to make solids clump together or coagulate so that they can be removed. The water then goes through a series of filters before it is finally disinfected to remove any microbes that may remain. Before water is released for distribution, it is tested for quality.

    Future Proposals

    • As of 2011, the EPA has several regulations that it is developing to make water safer in the future. One of their future proposals addresses the level of radon in water. Radon is a natural radioactive gas found in indoor air and water and linked to cancer. The EPA is working with state agencies to develop multimedia mitigation (MMM) to set legal limits of radon in drinking water. The plan involves educating the public about radon, defining limits for radon, developing strategies to achieve these limits and tracking results.

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