Drinking Water Progress Review Workshop for the 1995-1998 Science to Achieve Results (STAR) Grants. Held in Arlington, Virginia on December 8-9, 1998

摘要

One high-priority research program identified by the EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) is Drinking Water. The Safe Drinking Water Act mandates that EPA identify and regulate drinking water contaminants that may have any adverse health effects, and that are known or anticipated to occur in public water systems. EPA regulations addressing requirements of the Act require disinfection of surface water and certain groundwater supplies. Scientific evidence suggests that exposure to chemical by-products formed during the disinfection process may be associated with adverse health effects. Reducing the amount of disinfectant or altering the disinfection process may decrease by-product formation; however, these practices may increase the potential for microbial contamination. EPA's challenge is to balance the health risks caused by exposure to microbial pathogens with the health risks caused by exposure to disinfection by-products (DBPs). To meet this challenge, the Agency has developed comprehensive research plans for microbial contaminants/disinfection by-products and for arsenic in drinking water. These plans will form the basis for prioritizing research needs for the Agency's drinking water program.