ABSTRACT
Drinking water safety cannot be taken for granted. There are many chemical and physical threats to drinking water supplies. Chemical threats include contamination from improper chemical handling and disposal, animal wastes, pesticides, human wastes, and naturally occurring substances. Drinking water that is not properly treated or disinfected, or that travels through an improperly maintained distribution system, can also become contaminated and pose a health risk. Physical threats include failing water supply infrastructure and threats posed by tampering or terrorist activity.
