Household Water Treatment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulates the allowable level of impurities in public water supplies, but homeowners that rely on private water systems, such as wells, springs, and cisterns, are solely responsible for the care and maintenance of their water supplies and for the quality of their water. Those with private water supplies can use the EPA drinking water standards as guidelines when assessing their water quality. When levels of selected impurities in household water exceed EPA guidelines, they may affect human health or they may be a nuisance, possibly affecting the taste, smell, or appearance of the water.