Drinking Water—Safety on Tap - Drinking Water Source Protectionand Conservation

Because good sources of drinking water are a limited resource, the cost of developing and treating new sources is expected to rise. In addition, existing water suppliers are faced with the need to provide water to expanding service areas. As a result, the water industry is looking for cost-effective alternatives and is evaluating water conservation and reuse practices, as well as removing salt from seawater (desalinization) to create drinking water. Water suppliers are offering customers rebates for using water-efficient toilets and showers, and in some areas are limiting the amounts that can be used for lawn and landscape watering or car washing. In some locations, municipal and county water departments are promoting the reuse of treated wastewater for irrigation and lawn watering instead of precious drinking water.

FIGURE 5.10
Drinking water-associated outbreaks, by causative agent, water system, water source, and deficiency, 2001–02
SOURCE: "Figure 6. Drinking Water-Associated Outbreaks, by Etiologic Agent, Water System, Water Source, and Deficiency—United States, 2001–2002," in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, October 22, 2004, http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/SS/SS5308.pdf (accessed April 1, 2005)