Sustainability
Water Quality
Description: Drinking water systems are measured for 1) levels of contaminants that exceed maximum permissible allowances, also called maximum contaminant levels (MCL); 2) techniques applied to treat water to make it safe; and 3) how and when systems are monitored and reported in compliance with the law. Data reported here are health based violations, which include both MCL violations, meaning the amount of a contaminant exceeded the safety standard, and treatment violations, meaning that the water was not treated properly. All data cover the years 1998 to 2008.
Rationale: Residents depend on consistent, safe drinking water to ensure a basic quality of life. When water systems are in violation of standards, or if there are errors in treatment or measurement, human health is put at risk, supplies may be suspended, and people lose confidence in the safety of the water supply.
Data Source: Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) using records from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Water systems for populations of 10,000 or more in Maricopa County, AZ
