Most scientists think there are no more pollutants in drinking water today than there were 25 years ago. Unlike 25 years ago, we now have much more sophisticated testing instruments that enable us to know more about our water. With this knowledge, the drinking water community is taking steps to treat our water, to curb the flow of pollution, and to keep our water safe and wholesome. The enforcement of regulations such as the Clean Water Act; the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (commonly known as Superfund) have removed the source of many toxic release sites across the United States.
However, we did not have the number of pharmaceuticals 25 years ago that we have today. This could change the complexity of this issue. Studies of hormones on aquatic species have shown the impact of pharmaceuticals on water quality.
