Question

The Use of microbial risk assessment in setting US drinking water standards

1) What is the goal of EPA's Surface Water Treatment Rule?
A) Help its consumers with water intake.
B) Provide more water to the poor.
C) Achieve risk reduction with respect to microbial infection.
D) All of the above.

Answer 1

The EPA's Surface Water Treatment Rule aims to decrease microbial contamination in the nation's public drinking water by setting strict water quality standards, including Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and Treatment Technique (TT).

Step-by-step explanation:

The goal of the EPA's Surface Water Treatment Rule is to achieve risk reduction with respect to microbial infection. This is critical since public drinking water sources are subject to contamination and require treatment to remove disease-causing agents. The EPA, therefore, sets water quality standards to ensure the safety of drinking water for the public by regulating the nation's public water systems. The standards include Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and Treatment Technique (TT) to regulate the presence of contaminants, including pathogens like Cryptosporidium and Giardia Lamblia, to prevent waterborne illnesses.

Water suppliers must adhere to these standards to decrease the risk of microbial contamination. Failure to meet these standards can result in fines and penalties by the EPA, ensuring that all public water systems provide safe and clean drinking water, thus protecting public health and wellbeing.