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Background
Water is vital for
life. Good quality drinking water should be free from unsafe
concentrations of nitrates, pathogens, metals, and organic contaminants. It should also be of
acceptable taste and odor. Florida has abundant water resources,
ranking 3rd in the nation in total water area. Fresh water
resources are also ample in the state, particularly groundwater, but
much of it has water-quality issues.
Water Quality and Human Health
Contaminants in drinking water can cause serious health effects
in humans. There are two kinds of health hazards that humans can be exposed
to: acute toxicity and chronic toxicity. Acute toxicity is defined as
one in which a negative effect is reported within 24 to 48 hours of water
consumption. Conversely, chronic toxicity has long-term effects that occur with low but frequent exposure to a contaminant. Nitrate in drinking water
has indirect effects. Nitrate when consumed by infants may be transformed into nitrite, which
can then cause methemoglobinemia, or "blue baby" syndrome. Nitrite can
also convert to nitrosamine, which is associated with certain types of cancers.
Standards of Drinking Water
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has established
standards for drinking water that limits the concentrations of harmful
substances. Drinking water standards also establish limits
on aesthetic water qualities like organic and inorganic
constituents, odor, color, pH, and total dissolved solids.
The
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was passed in 1974 that helps maintain
clean drinking water throughout the USA. Its main objective act was to
prohibit contaminants from being introduced into our drinking water by
establishing drinking water standards, monitoring public water systems,
and protecting groundwater from contamination.
The
standards set for safe drinking water for various contaminants are
set by EPA. These standards are part of SDWA's.
Resources
Some
resources related to drinking water quality can be followed through
these links:
EPA, Local Drinking Water Information
Florida Department of Health, Drinking Water Homepage
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