Why Do You Need Know About Water Purity?

Most Americans get their drinking water from large scale municipal water systems that rely on surface water sources such as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. However, in New England, millions of Americans depend on private water sources such as wells and aquifers. 

In either case, the United States enjoys one of the cleanest drinking water supplies in the world. The EPA regulates the quality of the nation's drinking water by issuing and enforcing safe drinking water standards.

EPA also protects the nation's drinking water by safeguarding our watersheds and regulating the release of pollutants into the environment. In partnership with local authorities and community groups, the Agency encourages water conservation. EPA also works with these partners to develop contingency plans for source contamination and other water emergencies.

Drinking Water and Health: What you need to know

National statistics don't tell you specifically about the quality and safety of the water coming out of your tap. That's because drinking water quality varies from place to place, depending on the condition of the source water from which it is drawn and the treatment it receives.

If you have your own well, you are responsible for making sure that your water is safe to drink. Private wells should be tested annually for nitrate and coliform bacteria to detect contamination problems early. Test more frequently and for other contaminants, such as radon or pesticides, if you suspect a problem. Check with your local health department and local public water systems that use ground water to learn more about well water quality in your area and what contaminants you are more likely to find.

* From the EPA Web Site Regarding Water Purity

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New Hampshire's Environmental Services - Drinking Water & Ground Water Bureau

The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) was created in early 1987 as a result of legislative efforts to reorganize several previously separate agencies dealing with environmental matters into a single, coordinated agency.

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