The Safe Drinking Water Act created new quality standards for tap water in the U.S. when it was signed in 1974.
It makes sure dozens of contaminants are regulated, including the recent addition of PFAS or “forever chemicals.” But there’s more concern now over water supply.
Chad Seidel, a water engineer and president of Corona Environmental Consulting in Colorado, says climate change and aging infrastructure pose the biggest threats.
"It's going to take vigilance to keep that up to date and avoid the risk of failure. And by doing so, we can make sure that everybody has safe, affordable and reliable water for everybody, everywhere, all the time," Seidel said.
Seidel says he’s concerned that declining investment in water infrastructure could jeopardize pipes, treatment plants, and the people who keep them running.
"We're seeing more and more instances of water systems on the verge of failing, and in some cases failing altogether, to maintain their water supply to their communities, and I think that risk is significantly greater for both public health and just our own communities thriving than the concern over other contaminants that we maybe haven't yet regulated," Seidel said.
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The site of former Tempe water park Big Surf will now serve as the site of a large industrial park. -
Tucson City Councilmembers voted to approve a proposal to use some $86 million worth of Bureau of Reclamation funding to build the new treatment facility and save Colorado River water as a result. -
There's a rural area in Arizona with massive groundwater basins underneath the earth. Water should be plentiful there, but wells are running dry. Today on the show, what's behind the water issues in rural Arizona? Related episodes:Why Midwest crop farmers are having a logistics problem (Apple / Spotify) Why the US government is buying more apples than ever (Apple / Spotify) For sponsor-free episodes of The Indicator from Planet Money, subscribe to Planet Money+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org.Music by Drop Electric. Find us: TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Newsletter. -
The border city of Nogales is getting a long-awaited update to its wastewater treatment plant. It’s the first upgrade in15 years, and is expected to cost about $40 million. -
The Town of Gilbert plans to conduct valve testing as part of a sewer rehabilitation project on Monday. While there will be no disruption of water services, the work activity may affect residents’ water in another way.
