US Water Quality Standards

Water quality in the United States has a great deal of variation. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes and enforces water quality standards for the entire nation. However the EPA does not test the water in every state and city. The EPA holds the individual states responsible for water quality testing. States must keep detailed records, which the EPA uses to ensure compliance with federal law. Private water suppliers must follow the same procedures.

The EPA has multiple sets of water quality standards. Drinking water, of course, receives the highest set of standards, but states may designate bodies of water for other uses. States can designate water for recreation, entertainment, or industrial use. These water bodies do not need to meet the same standards as drinking water.

Problems with the quality of drinking water can occur when other water sources, which can legally contain a greater level of contamination, somehow leak into drinking water sources. Severe weather can easily cause such problems. This issue can be rather serious for rural residents and for residents who use private wells. Cities tend to experience fewer issues with drinking water quality, as they have large treatment facilities which remove harmful sediments and kill organic microbes.

It is advisable for those drinking tap water to invest in a water filter. These are readily available at many stores, and are relatively inexpensive.