Water Quality- A Challenge For Water Regulators

Water Quality Regulating

A water quality regulator is  used to help protect waters from pollution and misuse. They test water quality and collect samples for chemical and biological analysis.

Lately I have noticed rarely a day goes by without a news report, academic research or a government policy paper telling us that water security is at risk on a global scale. It's fairly easy to identify , the problem but the fixing the problem is a bit more difficult.

A lot of the water we use in our homes such as showering, flushing the toilet or doing laundry, are emptied untreated int our rivers, lakes and coasts.

Animal waste and fertilizers are mixing with hormones and chemicals from beauty and pharmaceutical products are threatening water resources all over the world. Unfortunately, new products add new chemicals to the mix everyday, only adding to more to the already big problem.

Organization of Economic Co-operation & Development

The OECD says " the amount of fresh water we need for all human activities is increasing and will be 55% higher by  2050."

But where will all this extra water come from to flush nearly double the amount of toilets? Where will this resulting water waste go?

Competition between water uses- industrial processes, energy production, food production and manufacture drinking water, sanitation the rise. A failure to develop  more efficient, innovative & wiser water policies & regulations will only intensify these pressures.

Facing Challenges & Overcoming Issues

The many interlinking challenges that face water quality only means that dealing with these problems  will require more then just water quality standards.

To address the regulatory issues, regulators from 30 different countries attended the 2nd International Water Regulators forum. All of those countries water sector authorities joined their energy, public health, economic and environmental  counterparts to  discuss implementation of international best practice and principals for better public policy, regulation and water governance, with their main focus being resource optimization, innovation and cross sector cooperation.

The diversity of countries with a variety of regulatory frameworks means that there is no one-size-fits-all solution because of the institutional differences, social, economic, geographical and geopolitical  differences make that impossible.

 

Yet, many regulatory approaches have been adopted that address implementation of regulators in one sector. This also considers impacts on the environment and other water uses in the basin.


Energy Regulator to Water Regulator

 It was 2013 when the energy regulator became the water regulator, concentrating those rolls into one authority. The excellent reputation of the old energy authority gave  strength to the water sector regulator by building on existing trust and efficiency.

The Canadian province Alberta, was looking to create more efficiency by establishing a  new body to become a "regulator on all fronts."
This allowed them to inherit power from the environment authority to deal with all water related matters within the energy sector.

The water regulator in France is the Ministry of Environment. Their overall policy for water is financed by taxes from all water users according to their  impact on water, with the incentive of a reduction of pollution, but also contributing to the aquatic biodiversity  and improving catchment areas.

In England and Wales, its all about incorporating the natural capital value of water and social, economic and environmental benefits.

A new regime for water access and allocation is being developed , combining market rules as well as government control so water use adjusts dynamically to changing scenarios.

Merge of divide, the bottom line is that regulators find dialogue with others, are helpful and by sharing the "How to" of better regulation and policy and a better understanding of individual sector challenges.

The task of preparing policies and  regulations t better help management for water qualities that are "fit for purpose" can be beneficial from the wide range of guidelines, standards and practises currently available.

Clean Water Act

 Who Is The Clean Water Act?
The clean water act is a US federal law that regulates the discharge of pollutants into the nations surface waters involving lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and coastal areas. Passed in 1972 and amended in 1977 & 1987, the clean water act was originally known as the federal water pollution control act.

What does the clean water act do for our drinking water?
The 1972 amendments  established:  the basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges into the waters and gave EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)  authority to implement pollution control programs such as setting waste water standards for the industry.

Why is clean drinking water essential?
Water is simply a fundamental human need. Each person on earth requires at least 20-50 liters of clean safe water for drinking, cooking and simply keeping ourselves clean.

Polluted water is not just dirty- its deadly! 1.8 million people die every year from polluted water diseases such as cholera.

So you see how vital it is for us as humans to be able to produce clean water. We never really know whats in our waters regardless of the many efforts and solutions to help keep our drinking water resources free of pollution.

 I for one check what is in my water at home on a regular basis. Luckily I came across a solution to help my home stay free of all pollutants or anything that may harm my family or myself .

 I have an incredible Innovative Technology Water System hooked right up to my faucet in my kitchen that ensures my families safety with pollutants and other harmful particles that could be in our waters.

I have to say it sure is reassuring to know that I have this system to ensure our health is not affected considering all the current problems with our waters today.

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