Health implications of safe drinking water act violations: a county-level analysis
Health-based drinking water violations impact millions of Americans each year. This study examines the relationship between 13 measures of drinking water quality, related to health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act, and three self-reported health outcomes (general, physical, and mental...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1588338/full |
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| Summary: | Health-based drinking water violations impact millions of Americans each year. This study examines the relationship between 13 measures of drinking water quality, related to health-based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act, and three self-reported health outcomes (general, physical, and mental health). Analyzing cross-sectional data from 3,100 counties in the United States using regression analysis, we found statistically significant relationships between health-based violations and all self-reported health outcomes. Specifically, counties with more health-based violations reported a higher percentage of people with fair or poor health, and more physically and mentally unhealthy days. Our findings indicate that a single health-based violation in an average county incurs yearly medical costs of approximately $3.48 million for physical health and $4.85 million for mental health. These results highlight the need for policymakers and health professionals to prioritize interventions that address these violations, particularly in vulnerable communities, to mitigate their long-term health impacts. |
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| ISSN: | 2296-2565 |