Worsening Water Quality

Water quality is increasingly under threat. In 2024, American Water Works Association members rated source water protection as their primary concern. Along with industrial and agricultural pollution, researchers increasingly point to poor health outcomes due to microplastics, PFAS, and other “forever chemicals” contamination of water supplies.

New federal drinking water standards to limit PFAS and microplastics exposure are a critical first step to dealing with this issue. At the local level, specialized treatment plants can reduce concentrations of PFAS and other microplastics. Improving long-term health outcomes is a core planning concern, especially given the historical roots of planning in addressing water and air quality. As new issues around water quality become widespread, planners should be prepared to act to protect water supplies and the health and well-being of their communities.