There's been a lot of talk lately about drinking water. You may have seen features in the newspaper, on television news and in popular magazines, even in movies and television specials. This media coverage, combined with the new annual reports on drinking water quality that water systems are sending directly to their customers, is making many people think more about their drinking water. This booklet explains how national standards contribute to drinking water safety, and helps readers make informed, reasonable choices about the water they and their children drink.
Most tap water is safe for healthy adults and children.
The United States has one of the safest water supplies in the world. Although drinking water often picks up low levels of some contaminants as it flows in rivers and collects in aquifers, these materials usually are not detected at harmful levels. Public water suppliers must monitor their water to make sure it complies with science-based public health standards. EPA has set standards for 90 contaminants, seven of which are new standards that will be enforceable before January 1, 2002. People at the federal, tribal, state and local levels work together to protect public water supplies.