Why Don't Water Treatment Plants Treat for Personal Care Products?

Water treatment plants are responsible for removing impurities and chemicals from our water supply to keep it safe for human consumption. However, there is one group of contaminants that often slips through the cracks - personal care products. These products can include anything from shampoo and soap to makeup and sunscreen. So why don't water treatment plants treat for these contaminants?

Lack of Regulations

One of the main reasons why water treatment plants don't treat for personal care products is the lack of regulation. Unlike other contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals, there are currently no federal regulations in place to govern the amount of personal care products that can be present in our water supply.

Without regulations, it's difficult for water treatment plants to know how much of these contaminants are present in the water and how best to remove them. This lack of oversight means that personal care products continue to find their way into our water supply, potentially exposing us to harmful chemicals and toxins.

Complexity of Removal

Another reason why water treatment plants don't treat for personal care products is the complexity of removal. These products can contain a wide range of chemicals and compounds, many of which are not easily removed through traditional treatment methods.

For example, many personal care products contain synthetic fragrances, which can be difficult to filter out of the water supply. Other compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, can be present in such small quantities that they are difficult to detect and treat.

As a result, water treatment plants often focus on removing more easily detectable contaminants and may not have the resources or technology to target personal care products. This means that these contaminants can slip through the cracks and end up in our drinking water.

Health Risks

The presence of personal care products in our water supply can pose a number of health risks. Many of these products contain chemicals that can be harmful to human health, particularly when consumed over a long period of time.

For example, some personal care products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals, which can interfere with hormone function in the body. Others can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and even cancer.

While the amount of personal care products present in our water supply may be small, the cumulative effect over time can be significant. Overexposure to these chemicals can increase our risk of developing health problems and may even reduce our lifespan.

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, personal care products are a significant and growing source of water contamination. While water treatment plants play an important role in removing contaminants from our water supply, they often fall short when it comes to addressing personal care products.

Without greater regulation and investment in treatment technology, we may continue to be exposed to these harmful contaminants in our drinking water. As consumers, it's important to choose personal care products that are free from harmful chemicals and to support efforts to improve water treatment and regulation.