Tribal-FERST Issue Profile: Drinking Water

Every day, millions of Americans receive high quality drinking water from their public water systems, but drinking water safety cannot be taken for granted.

There are a number of threats to drinking water, including improperly disposed of chemicals, animal wastes, pesticides, human threats, wastes injected underground, and naturally-occurring substances, all of which can contaminate drinking water. Likewise, drinking water that is not properly treated or disinfected, or that travels through an improperly maintained distribution system, may pose health risks.

The Safe Drinking Water Act, passed by Congress in 1974, authorizes EPA to set national health-based standards for drinking water to protect against both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants in drinking water. EPA, states, and water systems work together to make sure these standards are met.

Learn more about drinking water by exploring the links below.