While a dramatic focus has been placed on water conservation and droughts across the western part of the country, an equal amount of concern should be placed on water contamination. As 15% of our water is lost through leaking pipes, a much higher percentage of water is contaminated by an array of scenarios, transforming supposed “clean” tap water into a health risk for many.
Investigations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency throughout past decades have found that a large proportion of waterborne disease outbreaks are attributed to pipe distribution systems. The ongoing, high-profile water controversy in Flint, Mich., where high levels of lead were found in the potable water, became a popular news story that thrust water contamination and lead-leaching into the national spotlight. Again.