Water & Health Advisory Council

We must make it a priority to ‘fix the basics’ first by investing resources to upgrade our nation’s water infrastructure. Learn from Council Member Chad Seidel as he explains why America’s water infrastructure needs major improvements.

With the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act to shield a significant portion of the nation's public water supplies from potentially harmful contaminants. At its inception, this legislation provided a crucial framework for setting consistent standards for safe drinking water and incorporated mechanisms to facilitate regular updates and improvements to its oversight. However, America has changed over the past 50 years and many communities continue to be left behind. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/epRQRzbJ #SDWA50

Laredo, Texas recently discovered E. coli in their public water systems, requiring the city to enforce a city-wide boil advisory. This well-known harmful containment arose due to the city’s deteriorating water infrastructure. Old water infrastructure not only poses a containment risk but a drinking water supply issue. Without additional funding to repair old water infrastructure, containment exposure could become more frequent, threatening public health and daily life. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gkQbVAPg

As part of our Safe Drinking Water Act 50th Anniversary video series, we sat down with Council Member Chad Seidel and Alan Roberson, Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators. Together, they explored how the SDWA has transformed drinking water quality through enforceable standards and essential improvements. They also emphasized the need for continued vigilance—balancing efforts to address emerging contaminants with preserving the progress already made. Watch the video to hear Chad and Alan share their vision for the next 50 years of the SDWA.

The Safe Drinking Water Act history book is replete with examples where political and environmental pressure influenced the US EPA to veer from the original intent of the law. The challenges we’re seeing today demand a strategic shift in the decades ahead. Be a part of the discussion: https://lnkd.in/gSZhEaJ #SDWA50

Around 23 million U.S households are reliant on private wells, which are at higher risk for increased levels of nitrate exposure. Microbial contaminants can lead to serious illness and in some cases, even death. By prioritizing known threats that are currently impacting public health, such as failing and aging water infrastructure and protections against microbial contaminants, we can make strides to prioritize public health equitably for all. Keep reading: https://lnkd.in/gcGafN5J

While we acknowledge the intent, progress, and successes of the SDWA, it is evident that a gap has emerged between the original legislation and present-day policies. We look forward to a future that prioritizes risk, regains public trust, and ensures the delivery of safe, affordable and reliable drinking water for decades to come. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/epRQRzbJ #SDWA50

Recent natural disasters, like Hurricane Milton, are devastating the water infrastructure in Florida and threatening public health. Water main breaks not only disrupt the supply to residents but open the secured systems to containments and other possible health risks. While boil advisories are a temporary fix, serious investments will be required to repair the affected water systems and provide reliable drinking water. Keep reading: https://lnkd.in/gJ3f84ZW

Our population has grown by more than 50% between 1974 when the Safe Drinking Water Act was enacted and today, placing an added burden on our drinking water infrastructure. Currently, around two million Americans lack safe and reliable drinking water. Our communities deserve more. Sign up here to learn more about our vision for the next fifty years of drinking water in America: https://lnkd.in/gKuy6nMF #SDWA50

Last month, the U.S. EPA announced a major ruling which requires all water systems to replace lead pipes within the next ten years. While lead pipes make up only a small part of the nation’s water infrastructure – due to the hard work water utilities have done on lead pipe replacement initiatives for decades – this is a significant milestone in ensuring safe, reliable drinking water for our nation’s drinking water. Even with federal funding, the cost of the new requirements will pose a significant challenge for many utilities. Prioritizing risks must remain a priority as water utilities have increasing pressures to protect against potential public health threats in drinking water. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gBrYaW_2