By Patricia Verdone
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April 17, 2025
Water is life. We drink it. We bathe in it. We cook with it. But is today’s water safer than it was in the 1970s? Let’s look back. The 1970s were a turning point. America was waking up to pollution. Factories dumped waste into rivers. Oil spills hit the headlines. Acid rain made news. And drinking water? It wasn’t as safe as people thought. The Safe Drinking Water Act was passed in 1974. This was a major law that gave the government power. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) could now set rules. Limits were placed on dangerous contaminants. Before that, water safety was a gamble. We thought all was good. Back then, lead pipes were common. Many homes still had them. Lead is dangerous. Especially for children. In 1970, most people didn’t know that. Now we do. Chlorine was used more heavily. It kills bacteria. But it also creates byproducts. Some byproducts may cause cancer. We didn’t know that in the '70s, but we monitor for it today . Fluoride was added to water. In the 1970s, this was seen as a win. Tooth decay dropped. But now, the debate continues. Some studies suggest fluoride may be harmful to ingest. Especially to young children. Today, fluoride levels are more strictly managed. Another concern: agricultural runoff. Pesticides and fertilizers were used freely. These seeped into water supplies. Nitrates and phosphates caused problems. In the 1970s, there were few rules. Today, we test for those. But problems still happen. Fast forward to now. Is water safer? In many ways, yes. We have better testing. More rules. Better filtration. More public awareness. We can test for over 90 contaminants now. That includes metals, bacteria, chemicals, and radiation. In the 1970s, we tested for far fewer. Today’s technology can detect trace amounts. We can find problems faster. And we can fix them. However, new problems have emerged. PFAS is a big one. They’re called “forever chemicals.” They don’t break down. They’ve been used in Teflon, firefighting foam, and more. Now, they’re in water systems. We didn’t know about PFAS in the 1970s. Now, it’s a national concern. Microplastics are another issue. Tiny plastic pieces are everywhere. In rivers. In oceans. Even in bottled water. They didn’t exist in the 1970s like they do now. Today, they’re a growing concern. Then there are pharmaceuticals. People flush medications. Or they pass through our bodies. Water systems weren’t designed to filter them. So small traces stay in our water. The 1970s didn’t worry about this. Now, scientists study it. Let’s talk infrastructure. Many water pipes are old. Some date back to the early 1900s. Others were built in the 1970s. Lead, copper, iron – they corrode. Leaks and contamination happen. Flint, Michigan, showed us this. Modern water is safer if the infrastructure is maintained. But many systems are still outdated. Boil water notices happen more often. Why? Because detection is better. We catch bacteria faster. We warn the public sooner. In the 1970s, you might not have been warned at all. Now, alerts are instant. Private wells are still unregulated. They were common in the 1970s. Still common now. But today, well owners have access to better testing. They can test for bacteria, metals, and nitrates. Companies like Fix Any Water can help. Rainwater collection is on the rise. In the 1970s, it was rare. Now, it’s part of sustainability efforts. But it must be filtered. Today’s technology makes it safer. UV lights, filters, and ozone systems help. Bottled water didn’t take off until the late 1970s. Now it’s a huge industry. But bottled water isn’t always better. Sometimes, it’s just filtered tap water. Plastic bottles can leach chemicals. Especially if left in the sun. Also, bottled water isn’t held to the same standards as tap water. Surprising, but true. Home water systems have improved. In the 1970s, few homes had filters. Now, reverse osmosis, carbon filters, and softeners are common. People want control. They want peace of mind. So is water safer now? Yes – and no. It’s better regulated. Better tested. But also under new threats. Old systems, new chemicals, and global pollution complicate things. What can you do? Test your water. Every home is different. Public water changes. Private wells need regular checks. Install the right filtration. Not all filters are equal. Know what’s in your water first. Maintain your system. Filters wear out. Replace them on schedule. Stay informed. Watch for news about boil water notices, recalls, and contamination alerts. Know your pipes. Homes built before 1986 may have lead plumbing. Replace old pipes if you can. Water is still life. And it should still be safe. We’ve come a long way since the 1970s. But we must keep improving. At Fix Any Water, we stay ahead of the curve. We test, treat, and maintain water systems for homes and businesses. We offer systems that remove chlorine, lead, PFAS, microplastics, and more. We don’t rely on chemicals. We offer solutions that protect your family. From the kitchen sink to the shower. From coffee shops to surgery centers. Your water should be better than it was in the '70s. And with our help, it will be.