Every single day, the nation as a whole uses over 800 billion gallons of water. At the present rate of use, every source of fresh water is being tapped. Water is even being reused as many as a dozen times on its way to the sea. Of the total amount of water currently used for all purposes, over 40 billion gallons per day are required by municipal systems. With the availability of pure water limited, expansion in supply will logically have to stem from sources which must be passed through chemical treatment plants before use.

For public consumption, and for many industrial purposes as well, water must be clear, colorless, tasteless and free from harmful bacteria. Drinking water must meet the standards established by the Division of Water Hygiene of the Environmental Protection Agency.