Water Talk

A rotating line-up of experts from the water industry offer analysis on timely topics and provide insight into the science of water.

Click on the topic titles below to read a specific expert view.


Bottled or tap?

by Stephen C. Edberg. Ph.D.

Recent news about banning bottled water in favor of tap water reveals an underlying assumption that there are no health or safety differences between tap and bottled. But the facts tell another story.

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The Health Risks of Coliform Bacteria

by Jack West

Coliform bacteria are not likely to cause illness in most people, but because they are associated with sewage or surface waters, the presence of coliform bacteria in drinking water indicates that other pathogens may be present.

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Lead and Drinking Water for Children

by Jack West

Lead contamination poses a serious threat to the safety of our nation’s drinking water. This colorless, tasteless, and odorless heavy metal can go virtually undetected in drinking water.

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Water: The Foundation of Peaceful Crisis Intervention in Times of Social and Environmental Disaster

by Henry R. Hidell, III

Much of our research today is in an effort to develop efficacious nutritional programs and formulas to be delivered by packaged water for those regions where malnutrition is endemic.

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Regulation of Bottled Water

Joshua M. Sharfstein, M.D.

A statement before the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations House Committee on Energy and Commerce, July 8, 2009. FDA regulates bottled water as a food under the FD&C Act and is responsible for ensuring that bottled water is safe and truthfully labeled.

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