ABSTRACT
In order to comply with health and other standards for treating that quantity of water, nearly $300 million was spent on the purchase of chemicals by United States (US) water utilities in 1982. The state of drinking water quality is highly variable in the US. A widespread risk communication program for the public about the quality of the water, its methodologies, and treatment problems is essential for enhanced community understanding and the development of realistic solutions to improve American drinking water quality. Thus, water treatment practices designed to minimize exposure to lead should be sustained. The Environmental Protection Agency and the waterworks industry have identified practical means to reduce significantly trihalomethanes and other by-products while retaining the use of chlorine, and adopting the use of other disinfectants such as chloramine, chlorine dioxide, and ozone. Switching from the use of a seemingly tried and true technology to alternative disinfectant technologies nevertheless presents significant challenges.
