Global Water Regulations
Will Sarni
Leader: Corporate water strategy
Who’s in charge of keeping our water clean? Discover how global water regulations safeguard our health and environment.
Who’s in charge of keeping our water clean? Discover how global water regulations safeguard our health and environment.
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Global Water Regulations
11 mins 36 secs
Key learning objectives:
Outline global water regulations
Identify state and federal level US water regulations
Overview:
Water is a public good, and regulations are essential to ensure its safety and consistency across different regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines for drinking water quality which serve as a foundation for many national regulations. The European Union enforces the Water Framework Directive and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to improve global water quality. The US has The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and The Clean Water Act (CWA). Despite stringent regulations, millions of Americans still lack access to safe drinking water, and distrust of tap water has grown in recent years, particularly after events like the Flint water crisis.
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Summary
What are some examples of global water regulations and why are they important?
Water is a public good, and regulations are essential to ensure its safety and consistency across different regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides guidelines for drinking water quality, covering microbiological, chemical, and radiological parameters. These guidelines serve as a foundation for many national regulations.
What are some examples of global water regulations?
The European Union enforces the Water Framework Directive, setting water quality standards for surface and groundwater. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to improve global water quality. Despite these efforts, enforcement remains a challenge, especially in developing nations due to limited resources and data-sharing difficulties. The World Water Quality Alliance is working to improve monitoring and global assessments of water quality.
What are the key US federal water regulations?
The US has comprehensive federal regulations to protect public health and the environment. Regular testing and monitoring are required under these laws, and public water systems must provide annual water quality reports to consumers. Two key laws govern water quality:
- The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
- The Clean Water Act (CWA)
How do US states regulate water quality?
Individual states can enforce their own drinking water regulations, provided they meet or exceed federal standards. Some states, like California and New Jersey, have their own acts with additional requirements. The EPA also monitors unregulated contaminants and updates its list of potential threats to public health. State and local authorities collaborate with the EPA to ensure compliance from water suppliers.
What are the challenges with water drinking culture in the US?
Despite stringent regulations, millions of Americans still lack access to safe drinking water, and distrust of tap water has grown in recent years, particularly after events like the Flint water crisis. A 2020 study found that between 2017 and 2018, the number of Americans avoiding tap water increased significantly, particularly among Black and Hispanic communities. Public concern about water safety is high. Water conservation concerns also vary by generation, with Baby Boomers (82%) being more concerned than Millennials (78%) and Generation Z (74%).
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Will Sarni
Will Sarni, a hydrogeologist and author, has been working on water challenges for most of his career. He has focused on corporate sustainability and water strategy for the past two decades. Sarni is an optimist and believes we can solve wicked water problems. He lives in Colorado and the American West, which faces water scarcity challenges. The American West is a major agricultural region for the US, exporting crops. To have thriving cities and agriculture and manufacturing sectors in the region, we must solve water challenges.
Will has written several books on corporate water strategy, energy-water-food nexus, technology and policy innovation, and a children's book on water.
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