Water Quality

Emerging Contaminants: Pharmaceuticals in the Environment

Pharmaceuticals are emerging contaminants in water and, to date, cannot be removed as part of wastewater treatment options. So what can be done to mitigate their effects upon the environment, yet maintain their efficacy for human and animal use? In this session, we examine this topic from a lifecycle approach using hands-on demonstrations, and discuss several solutions and policies you can take home to mitigate and address these contaminants in your community.

World Aquatic Health Conference

The world needs more people living healthier lives using pools, hot tubs, and aquatic venues. The annual World Aquatic Health™ Conference (WAHC) spotlights issues and solutions to help this field gain in relevance. Conference sessions focus on a spectrum of drowning, illness, injury and liability prevention topics and aquatic health benefits. 

Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS) Program

NEHA is committed to providing education, resources, and support to onsite wastewater professionals around the country.
 

NEHA is part of a select group of national organizations that signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with USEPA to improve the quality and quantity of resources and education available to professionals in the onsite wastewater field, state and local regulatory agencies and those whose work involves building on or buying/selling land with dwellings that will use an onsite system.  

You can find a copy of the latest MOU here:
 http://water.epa.gov/infrastructure/septic/upload/Final-signed-2014-MOU-agreement.pdf

 

Available Resources & Programs

EH Topics: 
Water Quality

Water Quality

In the U.S., the Safe Drinking Water Act helps ensure that when residents turn on a public tap, clean and safe water comes out. This access is supported by a complex infrastructure that needs constant monitoring and upkeep. In addition, there are more than 40 million Americans reliant on private water sources that are not supported by this complex infrastructure or held to federal standards. These systems have unique concerns that must be addressed to ensure they too provide safe drinking water to those dependent on them.

Wastewater and sanitation can also have significant impacts on public health. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 20% of households in the U.S. rely on septic systems to process their wastewater. Oversight of these systems falls on local health departments, leaving a patchwork of regulations and policies, and homeowners are often unaware of operation and maintenance for their systems.

Environmental health professionals are trained to identify issues that impact water systems. As local experts, environmental health professionals can ensure that each community’s local situation is resilient to natural hazards and climate change, and that water sources are continually evaluated and maintained to meet all federal, state, and local standards.

Learn More

 

Other NEHA Water Quality Resources

NEHA E-Learning: Online education and training opportunities related to water quality. NEHA members can earn continuing education contact hours toward their NEHA credentials. 

Journal of Environmental Health: The Journal of Environmental Health includes new research and useful products and services related to water quality. Past electronic issues can be accessed through the NEHA Bookstore.

Community Calendar: Details about NEHA and partner education and training opportunities.

EH Topics: 
Water Quality

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