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Drinking Water Treatment Standards
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
Written by Steve Hudgik
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the national standards for drinking water treatment. However, most of the direct oversight of water systems is conducted by the states. All but Wyoming and the District of Columbia have the authority to implement the provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) within their states. They:
- Ensure water systems are tested for contaminants
- Review water system improvement plans
- Conduct on-site inspections and sanitary surveys
- Provide training and technical assistance
- Take action against water systems not meeting standards
Originally efforts to provide safe drinking water were primarily focused on water treatment standards. Water that is not properly treated or disinfected, or which travels through an improperly maintained distribution system, may pose a health risk. The original water treatment standards addressed ways to minimize those risks.
With changes to the Federal law in 1996 this was expanded to include source water protection, water treatment operator training, funding for water treat and distribution system improvements, and public information as important components of safe drinking water. This approach helps protect drinking water from the source to the water faucet in your home.
There are a number sources of materials that can contaminate drinking water
- Improperly disposed of chemicals
- Animal wastes; pesticides
- Human wastes
- Spills
- Wastes injected deep underground
- Naturally-occurring substances
Many of the hazards resulting from these can not be addressed by water treatment standards. To ensure that drinking water is safe multiple barriers against pollution must be established. These include:
- Source water protection
- Water treatment
- Distribution system integrity
- Public information.
Operators of local water treatment systems are responsible for ensuring that contaminants in tap water do not exceed the standards set by the EPA. The local water treatment system operators must test their water frequently for specified contaminants and report the results to states. If a water treatment standards are not being met, it is the water supplier's responsibility to notify its customers. Many water suppliers now are also required to prepare annual reports for their customers.
U.S. National Drinking Water Standards
In the U.S. The Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA) sets the national standards for tap water. Contaminants are prioritized for regulation based on the risk and how often they occur in water supplies. The EPA then sets a legal limit for the contaminant in drinking water or a required treatment technique. These drinking water standards are legally enforceable, which means that both the EPA and states can take enforcement actions against water systems not meeting safety standards. The EPA and states may issue administrative orders, take legal actions, or fine utilities.
The Use of Labels and Signs in Water Treatment Facilities
Large water treatment facilities may have miles of piping, and hundreds of valves, sample points, pumps, transmitters and instruments. All of these must be correctly identified and labeled. DuraLabel is the answer to these labeling requirements.
DuraLabel custom label printers and tough-tested supplies quickly make tough, durable labels for everything from pipe marking to arc flash labels to OSHA safety signs. DuraLabel printers are used in labs, maintenance shops and control rooms. They provide the visual communication tools that deliver needed information at the locations where it is needed.
Call 1-888-326-9244 today for more information about using DuraLabel printers for making labels and signs for water treatment facilities.
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