Water Quality and Public Health

Adequate water supply and good water quality are critical to the public's health and for disease prevention. The processes for design and management of municipal treatment facilities and private water systems are examined -- with attention to climate change impacts. Considerations of historical contaminants (lead, cholera, and feces) and emerging contaminants (PFAS, pharmaceuticals, and harmful algae) will be made with regard to disease surveillance and water treatment. Water quality topics include standards and regulations and water quality analysis of drinking and surface waters. Social, political, and economic factors affecting water quality, treatment, and access are discussed. Students are expected to participate in field sampling (during class time).