Climate Adaptation – Drinking Water Quality and Health

EPA works with states, tribes, operators of public water systems, and certified laboratories to ensure safe drinking water. Changes to environmental conditions such as an increase in the frequency and intensity of storms may affect drinking water quality. In addition, drinking water quality can be negatively impacted by warmer air temperatures.

More frequent storms and floods may cause overflows from sewage systems and treatment plants into freshwater sources for drinking water. This may lead to an increase in the prevalence of water-borne parasites, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. These parasites can cause gastrointestinal distress and in severe cases, death.