ABSTRACT
Water supply is one of the most critical factors in the world’s rapid population growth. Initially, the water supply industry in the United States was privately owned and operated. Groundwater is the primary water supply of choice with excellent microbial characteristics. Protection of watersheds from contamination and the development of water treatment systems became priority items. The success of water treatment in public health was so great that the public began to take clean water for granted and the water industry became complacent with the status quo. Coliform testing at water treatment plants became a simple routine that had little significance since the water treatment processes effectively removed the coliform bacteria and pathogenic bacteria from the surface waters being treated. Treatment is essential for the proper use of surface waters for municipal water supplies. Powdered activated carbon is often used as part of the water treatment process, adsorbing the offensive organic compounds.
