What is the water community doing about perchlorate in drinking water?
The water community is committed to protecting public health. Water professionals are examining the occurrence of perchlorate in drinking water supplies and treatment techniques for its removal. The American Water Works Association’s Water Industry Technical Action Fund (WITAF) sponsored a national occurrence study. Water utilities throughout the United States already employ several types of treatment techniques, such as ion exchange, that reduce perchlorate concentrations. The Water Research Foundation has published several studies on existing and developmental treatment techniques. Water professionals also are paying close attention to health effects research in this area. In 2004, USEPA issued a draft risk assessment recommending a reference dose of 1 part per billion (ppb) for the contaminant and has included perchlorate on its contaminant candidate list, a list of unregulated contaminants that warrant detailed study and may require future regulation. As part of USEPA’s assessment,
