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Author(s) -
Grumbles Benjamin H.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.2008.tb09782.x
Subject(s) - water security , business , environmental planning , environmental science , water industry , water resources , water supply , environmental protection , environmental engineering , ecology , biology
In this article, the author reflects on his six year career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, part of which was spent as assistant administrator for water. Memorable highlights related to safe water include the following: a newly promulgated arsenic standard; strengthening the Lead and Copper Rule; regulatory controls on disinfection byproducts, Cryptosporidium and other contaminants in surface water systems; regulating microbial contaminants in groundwater systems; and, revisions to the Total Coliform Rule to strengthen safeguards against bacteria. Highlights related to secure water include the following: vulnerability assessments and emergency response plans; tools for mitigating threats of chemical and biological contamination as well as physical and cyber attacks; the Water Security Initiative; and water and wastewater response networks (WARNs). Topics related to sustainable water highlights include: the focus on four pillars of sustainable infrastructure ‐ better management, full‐cost pricing, water efficiency, and watershed management; and, the 2007‐08 Green Infrastructure Partnership. The author presents emerging challenges such as climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and pharmaceuticals and personal care products in water.