Clean water is one of the greatest public health achievements of all time — but it wasn’t always guaranteed. In this episode of What is Public Health, in this special series "How we built healthier communities", I explore how contaminated water once fueled deadly epidemics, how Dr. John Snow’s cholera investigation in 1854 laid the foundation for modern epidemiology, and how today’s policies continue to protect — or fail — our most vulnerable communities.
We dive into:
The history of waterborne disease, from cholera to typhoid and dysentery
Dr. John Snow’s revolutionary Broad Street pump investigation
The birth of epidemiology and public health mapping
The impact of the Safe Drinking Water Act and modern EPA water standards
A deep look at the Flint Water Crisis — what went wrong, and where we are now
How to check the safety of your local drinking water
Why equitable access to safe water is still a pressing public health issue
Key Takeaways:
Waterborne diseases were once leading causes of death — now largely preventable through sanitation and policy
John Snow’s work is considered the origin of epidemiology
Water safety is still not equal in the United States — Flint and other cities remind us how infrastructure, race, and justice intersect
You can check what’s in your water — and advocate for safe drinking water in your community
Check your water quality report:
Find your local Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency:
https://www.epa.gov/ccr
Test for lead in drinking water:
EPA Lead Testing and Safety Guide:
https://www.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-exposures-lead#water
NSF Certified Water Filters Directory:
https://www.nsf.org
Learn more about Flint and water justice:
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) – Flint Water Response:
https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/drinking-water/flint
Explore public health history:
CDC – Ten Great Public Health Achievements:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00056796.htm