Research Areas

Distribution Systems Research  Throughout the world, millions of miles of water distribution pipeline provide drinking water for individual and industry use. Some of these water distribution systems have been in service for more than 100 years.

Arsenic  Arsenic is an element found naturally in soil, in the bedrock that underlies the soil, in ground water, and in ocean water. Human activities can release arsenic into the environment. Research has shown that arsenic can accumulate in solids found in drinking water distribution systems.

Microbes  Today, our nation's drinking water supply is one of the cleanest in the world, in part because EPA has set standards for about 90 contaminants that can affect drinking water. Even so, microbes that cause waterborne diseases are still a concern.

Source Water Protection  Source water is untreated water from streams, rivers, lakes, or underground aquifers. It is our supply for public drinking water. While some treatment of source water is necessary, the costs of treatment and risks to public health can be reduced by ensuring that source water is protected from contamination.

Chemicals  NRMRL’s research focuses on sources of suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that impact the environment, the risks posed by the use of pesticides, the effect of personal care products on our drinking water, and balancing the risks from microbial pathogens in our drinking water against the risks of creating disinfection by-products.

Pathogens  Pathogens (microbes that cause disease) are often found in water, frequently as a result of sewage discharges that contain fecal matter, septic tanks that leak, and animal feedlots that create polluted runoff. NRMRL develops scientific assessments to protect us from exposure to harmful levels of pathogens in drinking water.

Small Systems  Water distribution systems that serve fewer than 10,000 people are considered to be “small systems.” They face unique challenges when it comes to compliance with the 1970 Safe Drinking Water Act and its major 1996 amendments.