Organic micropollutants in drinking water: an overview

Biological contamination is still the most significant public health risk from drinking water even in industrialized countries. High potential for organic chemical transport to drinking water continues to exist even with source protection because of the multitude of chemical types and quantities. Drinking water is usually not a unique source nor the most significant contributor to total exposure from synthetic organic chemicals but it might be one of the most controllable. The major public concern with drinking water contamination has been possible contribution to cancer risks from organic micropollutants. Even though the actual risks are probably small in most cases it is clearly within the public interest to prevent adulteration of water supplies and to protect their quality for the future so that these concerns or risks can be avoided. A risk assessment/management decision model is suggested which may assist the process of making rational assessments of these contamination problems and control decisions that consciously consider all of the available data in a consistent manner.