Water Quality
In the U.S., the Safe Drinking Water Act helps ensure clean and safe water. In addition, more than 40 million people rely on private water sources that are not held to federal standards. Further, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), estimates that more than 20% of households rely on septic systems to process their wastewater.
Saltwater Intrusion Resources
Browse resources to better understand saltwater intrusion and strategies to protect communities from its impact.
Private Water Network
The Private Water Network (PWN) is a virtual community of practice for individuals working to protect human health from contaminants in private drinking water sources to:
- Connect with peers
- Share experiences, insights, and resources
- Get timely and relevant guidance for existing and emerging issues
- Build capacity
Preparedness & Response for Septic Systems
After a disaster, such as a hurricane, wildfire, or earthquake, septic systems may be damaged and fail to operate correctly. However, there is no standard safety protocol in place for using septic systems after a disaster occurs. We worked with subject matter experts and national partners to develop a toolkit with guidance for different types of emergency situations.
A Guidebook for Developing Tribal Water Quality Standards
Water quality management programs can be as varied as the tribes who develop them. This guidebook from National Tribal Water Council focuses on the fundamental element of any water quality management program: water quality standards. | Guidebook
PFAS: Implications for Drinking Water Webinar
The U.S. EPA recently released regulations designed to limit the amount people receive of this chemical from drinking water, down to 4 parts per trillion. This webinar explains this regulation and approaches that drinking water systems must undertake to comply with these new federal rules.