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In the last century, both population and business activities have increased dramatically. Yet there is no more fresh waster today than there was a million years ago.
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Because of increased water demands, natural processes that help filter contaminants from groundwater are not working as effectively. More water is being pumped out of the ground, and at increasing rates, leaving less time for natural “filtration” processes to work.
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Many diseases have been emerging that are resistant to standard water treatment processes.
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background (cont’d)
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The population is changing, with medical advances keeping more people alive who are particularly vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water supplies, such as the elderly and people with immune-
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The water infrastructure is aging, allowing greater potential for contamination within water systems. In many areas of the U.S., water pipelines date to Victorian times! Old water and sewer systems are vulnerable to leaks and breakage, allowing contaminants to both exit and enter systems.
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Did you know . . . ?
The largest documented waterborne disease outbreak in the history of the U.S. occurred in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1993.
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Increased population densities have created more potential for contamination from septic systems and wastewater. Many areas have allowed over-
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“New” contaminants are being introduced. Hormones and pharmaceuticals, for example, are showing up in measurable quantities in wastewater, which ultimately makes its way into the hydrologic cycle. The number of synthetic chemicals continues to grow, and along with it, the number that have been detected in groundwater supplies.
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Concerns are developing that some of the substances used to treat water can actually have negative health effects over the long-
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How times have changed: