Potable Water in the United States, Contaminants and Treatment: A Review

Abstract

Potable water is a basic need for humans, but attaining clean drinking water is a significant challenge for many developing and underdeveloped countries around the globe. In the United States, potable water is obtained from ground and surface sources and treated with various chemicals to meet federal and state standards, prior to its delivery to consumers. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established standards for the maximum level of contaminants (MCLs) to regulate their amounts in the public drinking water. Raw water can be compromised of physical, chemical, and biological contaminants and can pose a health burden among immunocom-promised individuals such as elderly, pregnant women, and especially children. The EPA publishes a contaminant candidate list (CCL) every five years. However, many of the drinking water regulations were established decades ago. This review aims to explore factors impacting water safety, processes used to purify water, the by-products that might remain after the purification process, and their impact on the health of the general populace, especially the immu-nocompromised individuals. In addition to the multibarrier water treatment process, ultraviolet treatment is also evaluated to determine its benefits and limitations.