Thousands of substances used in everyday life - from pharmaceuticals to consumer products - may pose threats to source water. While the presence of some of these substances in drinking water sources and their potential health impacts are well documented, many others have only recently been discovered and are much more poorly understood. These are commonly known as emerging contaminants. Understanding the presence and impacts of both emerging and well-documented contaminants and effective methods for their mitigation is critical to ensuring a safe and sustainable supply of drinking water.
- State, provincial and federal laws require that drinking water suppliers monitor for certain regulated and unregulated contaminants.
- Research by universities, state, and federal agencies provides drinking water suppliers with the latest science on potential threats and methods for treating contaminated drinking water.
- Early detection systems can identify the presence of contaminants in source water, allowing treatment plants to get ahead of concerns and adjust treatment methods or supply sources accordingly.
See below for related Investments in monitoring and research
Related Investments
Minnesota PFAS Testing and Mitigation
Updated on: March 26 2020
The Minnesota Department of Public Health (MDH) and Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) work together to investigate and mitigate the presence of PFAS in drinking water in both private wells and sources of supply for municipal systems throughout the state.
Pennsylvania PFAS Action Team
Updated on: March 30 2020
Pennsylvania’s PFAS Action Team is a multi-agency group that was established to address growing concerns about the presence of per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.
The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART)
Updated on: March 30 2020
The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) formally brings together several state agencies to investigate and remediate contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); develop and maintain cooperative relationships among local, state, and federal agencies; advance the science; and inform and empower the public to make educated decisions.
U.S. EPA Research and Monitoring for Unregulated Contaminants in Drinking Water
Updated on: March 30 2020
The U.S. EPA’s Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) requires all public drinking water systems serving at least 10,000 people and a random subset of smaller public systems to monitor for selected contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) every five years. This monitoring can help define presence and risk of contaminants may inform future regulatory action, based on findings.
City of Toledo: Real-Time Intake Water Quality Monitoring
Updated on: March 26 2020
The city of Toledo works with LimnoTech to maintain a scientific buoy and monitoring sensors in Lake Erie near the City’s drinking water intake to assist with gathering real-time environmental data and to monitor potential impacts to drinking water from harmful algal blooms.
City of Milwaukee: Contaminant of Emerging Concern Monitoring
Updated on: March 26 2020
The City of Milwaukee Water Works Department Water Quality Monitoring Program exceeds state and federal requirements – both by testing source water and treated water and by voluntarily testing for an expanded contaminant list.
The City of Ann Arbor’s PFAS Research and Treatment Plant Updates
Updated on: March 23 2020
The City of Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant has taken voluntary steps to enhance the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from drinking water.
Great Lakes Water Authority: Surface Intake Monitoring
Updated on: February 27 2020
The Great Lakes Water Authority has water quality sensing equipment located at two surface intakes in the Detroit River that contribute data to the Huron-to-Erie Real-time Drinking Water Protection Network.
Great Lakes Water Authority: Research and Monitoring for Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Updated on: February 27 2020
In addition to meeting all safe drinking water act requirements, Great Lakes Water Authority carries out additional monitoring activities as part of federal programs and research initiatives, state-mandated programs, and voluntary actions.
Great Lakes Water Authority: Mobile-Access Wastewater Interceptor and Rain Gauge Mapping Tool
Updated on: February 27 2020
Great Lakes Water Authority developed a mobile-access, geographic information systems (GIS)-based map that incorporates real-time operational data along its wastewater interceptors and at its rain gauges.
Great Lakes Water Authority: Water Resource Recovery Facility Phosphorus Removal
Updated on: February 27 2020
Great Lakes Water Authority has an internal goal of maintaining the phosphorus concentration of their effluent at 80 percent of the permit limit for their Water Resource Recovery Facility.
Great Lakes Water Authority: Research and Monitoring for Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Updated on: February 27 2020
In addition to meeting all safe drinking water act requirements, Great Lakes Water Authority carries out additional monitoring activities as part of federal programs and research initiatives, state-mandated programs, and voluntary actions.
Western Lake Erie Nutrient Source Inventory
Updated on: March 27 2020
The Western Lake Erie Nutrient Source Inventory is an interactive GIS-based map showing both urban and rural nutrient sources in the Western Lake Erie Basin.
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