Quality & Contaminants Major Water Quality Concerns in the
United States: Drinking water is generally lead-free when it
leaves the treatment plant but often picks up dissolved lead
from pipes, solder, faucets and fixtures on its way to a home.
The EPA is working to tighten its regulations to address
Americans' exposure to lead in their drinking water. Read more
about Lead in Drinking Water An Associated Press study found
pharmaceuticals (including antibiotics, anticonvulsants, mood
stabilizers, sex hormones) have been detected in the drinking
water of at least 41 million people in 24 major American
metropolitan areas. At this time, the EPA does not know whether
there is a human health risk associated with these reported
levels and has commissioned a panel to investigate. EPA Report
and Associated Press Report Water systems in the United States
rely on pipes that are on average 100 years old, with some
Eastern cities having pipes that are 200 years old. With the
aging of these systems, the EPA has estimated th