Providing safe drinking water is mandated by federal and local guidelines
Because access to clean drinking water is a basic human right, municipal water treatment plants play a pivotal role in ensuring the water that’s delivered to our taps is safe to drink. There are established guidelines and measures water treatment facilities must adhere to in order to uphold rigorous regulatory standards and deliver high-quality, contaminant-free water that meets the highest safety standards.
Municipal water quality is not left to chance; it is governed by a comprehensive framework of regulations. Because a combination of federal, state, and local standards dictate permissible levels of pathogens, chemicals, and other contaminants in drinking water, standards can vary from place to place.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets drinking water standards under the Safe Drinking Water Act, which was established in 1974 and amended in 1996 to protect the quality of both surface water and groundwater that serve as a source of drinking water. The standards cover more than 90 drinking water contaminants and establish maximum allowable levels that public water systems must comply with.
While the EPA is responsible for setting nationwide drinking water safety standards — ones that must be followed in every jurisdiction — states and municipalities may have their own regulatory bodies with standards that surpass those set by the EPA. For example, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is that state’s agency responsible for drinking water standards, while in California this responsibility lies with the California Water Board.
Drinking water standards can also vary between the U.S. and other countries, where standards may be based on factors including local water sources and quality, climate, infrastructure, and public health considerations. For example, the Caribbean consists of multiple countries, each with its own governing agencies responsible for setting and enforcing drinking water standards, but there may be variations in each nation.
Understanding and complying with all the regulatory requirements can be overwhelming to the uninitiated. However, when water treatment is outsourced to Seven Seas Water Group, water managers don’t have to worry about these regulatory requirements. A Seven Seas’ Water-as-a-Service® (WaaS®) partnership ensures municipalities get the water they need without having to overcome bureaucratic obstacles, permit applications, environmental, safety, and regulatory compliance. Seven Seas takes on that responsibility on their behalf.
Understanding this regulatory landscape is crucial for appreciating the meticulous efforts put forth by water treatment facilities.
Safety Measures in Municipal Treatment Processes
The treatment process for drinking water involves adding chemicals to neutralize particles, promoting their formation into larger flocs. Subsequent steps include gently mixing the water, allowing heavier flocs to settle, and using filtration to remove contaminants. Disinfection, achieved through chemicals or UV light, eliminates remaining microorganisms. Maintaining a low level of disinfectant ensures safe water delivery to consumers. Innovative technologies play a vital role in achieving purification goals.
Municipal Water Monitoring and Testing Protocols
It’s impossible to ensure water quality without robust monitoring and testing protocols. Public water systems are required to conduct regular testing to monitor for the 90-plus drinking water contaminants listed by the EPA, as well as to comply with additional water quality parameters.
Water quality testing parameters fall into three main categories: physical, chemical, and biological. The physical parameters include indicators like salinity, electrical conductivity, levels of total dissolved solids (TDS), turbidity, color, taste and odor, and temperature. The chemical parameters include levels of chlorine, dissolved oxygen, pH, acidity, alkalinity, and hardness. The biological parameters include bacteria, viruses, algae, and nutrients. Should an anomaly be detected, the municipality is required to take swift action to address any potential health risks.
Emerging Challenges to Municipal Water Treatment
As environmental factors evolve, so do the challenges in maintaining water quality. For example, municipal water treatment facilities have to adapt their treatment technologies in order to manage emerging contaminants including:
- PFAS (forever chemicals)
- Pharmaceuticals, including over-the-counter medication and prescription drugs
- Hormones, originating from birth control pills and other pharmaceuticals, as well as from veterinary sources
- Personal care products are now commonly found in surface waters and groundwater systems.
Technologies such as activated carbon, advanced oxidation processes, and membrane filtration are used to remove harmful substances. As new pollutants arise, new technologies may be required to deal with them.
Adapting to Climate Change: Climate-related shifts in rainfall patterns can negatively impact water quality. Droughts can result in a decrease in flow rates in rivers and streams, resulting in stagnation and higher concentrations of pollutants in water. Higher water temperatures can result in lower oxygen levels, which can negatively affect aquatic animals and water quality. Prolonged periods of drought may require municipalities to look for alternative water sources should the current supply be insufficient to meet demand. Similarly, heavy flooding can cause erosion of river banks and result in excessive runoff that can wash nitrogen-rich fertilizers, pesticides, mud, and debris into waterways, resulting in algal blooms, silting, and poor water quality.
Population Growth: Municipal water treatment plants are designed to last for decades. While a plant may have been designed with a capacity that could handle an area’s population years earlier, the design may prove to be inadequate without upgrades to increase capacity to account for population growth.
Municipalities can quickly adapt to any challenge that arises by partnering with a team of water experts who specialize in providing unique solutions to a wide range of water challenges. With Seven Seas’ Water-as-a-Service®, municipalities can get the water infrastructure they need at no upfront cost, and can expand treatment as need increases or changes. Seven Seas also offers a Lease Plant Program that allows municipalities — and commercial entities — to opt for a phased installation. This allows for the lease of a water treatment plant designed to meet the needs of the current population while allowing for future expansion to meet planned development and population growth. There’s no need to spend money for capacity that won’t be used immediately.
Ensuring compliance with stringent water quality standards is an ongoing, multifaceted task that requires unwavering dedication and precision. Municipal water treatment plants play an important role in protecting public health, navigating a complex regulatory landscape to deliver water that not only meets safety guidelines but surpasses them. Through continuous innovation and a commitment to transparency, these facilities can contribute significantly to the well-being of the communities they serve.
Contact Seven Seas to learn more about our innovative water treatment technologies and financing structures for municipalities.
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