One million residents and 30 million visitors recreate in Lake Mead. Hazardous chemical production from industry, and perchlorate from rocket fuel production contaminates many watersheds throughout Nevada. Christian Daughton of the EPA will be heading the team for the water quality study, which will look for 20 target chemicals over the next two years. The USGS has been conducting water quality testing in the area for the past few years, mostly focusing on estrogen and fish related concerns, perchlorates, industrial run-off, and coliform bacteria. Primary use of chemical treatment also adds to the problem by creating disinfection byproducts such as organochlorines.
Ozone works best on very clean water sources.
The EPA is currently considering more stringent drinking water standards proposed for next spring, in response to which, existing treatment facilities may have to alter their methods of disinfection. This step could easily be added to existing water treatments. Ultraviolet radiation is being promoted as the next step in water quality and safety. Twenty-five percent of Marin Municipal water is from the Russian River, serving parts of Southern Marin. The current pipeline construction proposal would enable the importation of Russian River water to double in the near future.