Campus drinking water safety as a public health priority: a call to action for institutions of higher education.

Abstract

Participants: College students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities, with particular attention to potential environmental health disparities affecting students from low-income communities and communities of color. Methods: This commentary draws on peer-reviewed literature examining drinking water contamination, associated health outcomes, environmental exposure disparities, and regulatory gaps affecting higher education institutions. Results: The existing literature documents associations between exposure to drinking water contaminants, including lead and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and adverse health outcomes such as neurotoxicity, cardiovascular disease, immune disruption, and cancer. Aging campus infrastructure and the absence of federal testing mandates specific to higher education raise concerns about drinking water safety. Despite these risks, colleges and universities have received limited attention in environmental health research and policy. Four strategies are proposed: comprehensive outlet-level testing and disclosure, infrastructure remediation, student-centered health promotion, and cross-sector community partnerships. Conclusion: Colleges and universities have an ethical and institutional responsibility to proactively address drinking water safety. Implementing these strategies may strengthen institutional accountability, reduce potential contaminant exposure, and promote equitable protection of student health.