TY - JOUR
T1 - Water quality laws and waterborne diseases
T2 - Cryptosporidium and other emerging pathogens
AU - Gostin, Lawrence O.
AU - Lazzarini, Zita
AU - Neslund, Verla S.
AU - Osterholm, Michael T.
PY - 2000/6
Y1 - 2000/6
N2 - Waterborne diseases, such as cryptosporidiosis, cause many cases of serious illness in the United States annually. Water quality is regulated by a complex system of federal and state legal provisions and agencies, which has been poorly studied. The authors surveyed state and territorial agencies responsible for water quality about their laws, regulations, policies, and practices related to water quality and surveillance of cryptosporidiosis related to drinking water. In this commentary they review the development and current status of federal drinking water regulations, identify conflicts or gaps in legal authority between federal agencies and state and territorial agencies, and describe court-imposed limitations on federal authority with regard to regulation of water quality. Recommendations are made for government actions that would increase the efficiency of efforts to ensure water quality; protect watersheds; strengthen waterborne disease surveillance; and protect the health of vulnerable populations.
AB - Waterborne diseases, such as cryptosporidiosis, cause many cases of serious illness in the United States annually. Water quality is regulated by a complex system of federal and state legal provisions and agencies, which has been poorly studied. The authors surveyed state and territorial agencies responsible for water quality about their laws, regulations, policies, and practices related to water quality and surveillance of cryptosporidiosis related to drinking water. In this commentary they review the development and current status of federal drinking water regulations, identify conflicts or gaps in legal authority between federal agencies and state and territorial agencies, and describe court-imposed limitations on federal authority with regard to regulation of water quality. Recommendations are made for government actions that would increase the efficiency of efforts to ensure water quality; protect watersheds; strengthen waterborne disease surveillance; and protect the health of vulnerable populations.
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U2 - 10.2105/AJPH.90.6.847
DO - 10.2105/AJPH.90.6.847
M3 - Review article
C2 - 10846499
AN - SCOPUS:0034039597
SN - 0090-0036
VL - 90
SP - 847
EP - 853
JO - American journal of public health
JF - American journal of public health
IS - 6
ER -