Another similarity between endocrine disruptors and pharmaceuticals involves public perception. However, pharmaceuticals and medicines are made to cure people. The public feels that when these compounds come through the drinking water it is, in essence, forced medication. At the research level, you first discover the problem or issue and then begin to study the causes and risks. Finally, you are able to assess the situation.
Regulation starts with temporary rules, based on what is known about causes and risks.
With the final assessment, you create final regulations and means for enforcement. The water industry can't do anything until they know what the regulation looks like, so that technological innovations can be made. It is important that the regulation strikes a balance between the risk and the economics, or what can be done for which price. The industry also needs a lot of time to implement the technology. When you change something or create a new process, you try to design it so it lasts for 10-20 years.