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.

Related Resources

• Methods for Water System Management to Minimize Human and Ecological Health Risk
• Contaminants and Industrial Processes Research
• Final Report: A Field-Based Aquatic Life Benchmark for Conductivity in Central Appalachian Streams
• Federal-State Toxicology Risk Analysis Committee (FSTRAC)
• Microbiological and Chemical Exposure Assessment - Water
• Recreational Waters Research
• Water Security Research
• Water Quality Standards: Microbial (Pathogen)