Multi-Stressor Effects on Riverine Drinking Water Production and Management
Abstract Multistressed rivers that serve as drinking water sources are of particular concern. We focus on surface water stressors and the challenge of providing drinking water with an emphasis on contaminant occurrence, regulations and policy, land use, socioeconomical issues related to environmental inequalities, and impacts of climate variables. Drinking water quality management systems (e.g., a multibarrier approach or water safety plans) are increasingly implemented to ensure the delivery of safe water for human consumption. For example, a multibarrier approach involves pollution control and mitigation measures for the different steps of drinking water production that include source water protection (watershed), water treatment technology and operations, and the management of distribution of drinking water through the distribution network. The integrated management of drinking water from source to tap must consider the mitigation of the effects of land use and climate on river system stress. Likewise, we must also consider the growing population exposure to environmental contaminants in water and inequalities related to the exposure of contaminants resulting from multistressed environments.