The EWG maintains its own tap water database, in which it sets much stricter limits than the EPA, based on what it judges to be safe for human health. These limits are based on peer-reviewed studies, research by state agencies, and the work of employed scientists.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS or “perennial pollutants,” are a family of thousands of chemical molecules with exceptional persistence, allowing them to remain in the environment without degrading for very long periods of time. periods. Some PFAS compounds have been linked to serious health problems, including several types of cancer.
The EPA recently proposed establishing new limits on the presence of six of these substances in drinking water. Studies have shown that many water sources across the United States contain significant amounts of PFAS and, as a result, traces of these toxic substances have been found in the blood of Americans. A similar situation has recently been reported in several regions of France.
If approved, the EPA's proposed regulations would be the first to significantly address PFAS pollution at the federal level, and could pave the way for eliminating a toxin that contaminates the drinking water for several decades.
Developing new laws for pollutants that are not yet regulated takes time. The danger posed by PFAS, for example, has been known for years, but it took a lot of evidence and research before regulations could finally be proposed.
“It's a big challenge,” admits Eric Burneson, director of the EPA's Office of Groundwater and Drinking Water. “We need solid scientific information and peer review of that information. Then we must determine our ability to control [la présence de ces polluants]. Can we measure them? Can we treat them? »
Being able to answer these questions allows the EPA to better defend the potential cost of regulating a new compound.
To date, the EPA has regulated ninety pollutants and identified dozens more that pose health threats and are found in tap water: among them, sixty-six chemicals , twelve microbes, and all PFAS, far more than the six it recently proposed to regulate.
“We need more information to move forward,” says Burneson, but “they may be in drinking water, and they pose risks.” »
Rural and low-income communities are most affected by difficulties accessing quality tap water, with their water treatment infrastructure most likely to violate EPA standards. Agricultural pollution, contaminated groundwater, insufficient funding and understaffing of sanitation infrastructure represent real threats to these communities.
An analysis of drinking water standards in the United States over a thirty-year period revealed that some states were also more likely than others to have access to poor water quality, with the most affected being States with centers of agricultural activity.
In addition, certain racialized populations are more often exposed to poor water quality. According to a study covering California and Texas, Latino and black populations systematically face a higher risk of cancer due to the quality of the water to which they have access.
The EPA requires water suppliers to publish annual reports identifying any potential health risks related to the water supply.
When new risks emerge, obtaining clean water can be very expensive for local populations.
In an emergency, such as a boil water advisory, bottled water can be a good short-term solution.
Bottled water bought and sold in the United States is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) using the same standards as tap water by the EPA. However, studies on bottled water have shown that it is neither cleaner nor safer than well-regulated tap water. However, it is sold much more expensive than the latter and generates a significant amount of plastic waste, which itself represents a growing threat to the quality of drinking water.
The use of filters can be another interesting solution: from inexpensive filters to put in the refrigerator to filtration systems costing several thousand euros connected to the plumbing of the home, many options exist.
The United States has about 3,000 electricity providers, compared to more than 50,000 water providers. While some serve up to 8 million people, about half of them serve fewer than 500. These smaller providers are less likely to have access to full-time operators or have enough customers to finance the maintenance of its infrastructure.
However, according to experts, with appropriate policies and funding, it is entirely possible to guarantee access to quality tap water for the entire population.
“We have the technical know-how necessary to provide safe drinking water,” says Allaire. “The problem is more of a political nature: how do we make this a reality? »
Bringing together these small suppliers, creating contracts allowing communities to buy their water from larger suppliers, and financing adapted training to have more competent infrastructure managers are all solutions which could make it possible to offer good quality water to more communities across the United States.
