Chemical and Microbial Risk

Protection of aquatic systems, for use as ecological entities and as sources of water for drinking and recreational uses, is compromised by shortcomings in our abilities to adequately determine and reduce the full range of risks posed by waterborne contaminants, including chemicals and microbial pathogens.

EPA research increases our understanding of water contaminants in order to promote safe recreational waters, maintain healthy water resources and ecosystems, and prepare for potential terrorist threats to the Nation’s water sources. Research is underway to better understand individual water contaminants as well as groups of contaminants in order to minimize human health risk and to identify effective treatment approaches.

Links

Recreational Waters Research
Contaminents and Industrial Processes Research
Water Security Research
Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment: Water
Exposure Biomarkers in Aquatic Organisms
Detecting Waterborne Enteroviruses and Noroviruses
Science Matters: What's in Your Water?
Science Matters: Enhancing Water Security: EPA Prepares for Intentional Contamination Incidents
Science Matters: EPA Examines Ways to Treat Biotoxins in Drinking Water
Regional Water Technology Innovation Cluster