Water Quality

With regards to human health, water-quality concerns focus on drinking water and water that people contact during recreational and personal activities, such as swimming or fishing (particularly eating fresh-caught fish). Drinking and wastewater systems are typically regulated; however, planners play an important role in protecting groundwater and surface water, since a variety of urban-planning and design-related features influence water quality, including the use of septic systems, management of wastewater services, location of storm sewers, disposal of toxic wastes and other pollutants, and level of runoff caused by urban development.

Design for Health (DFH) Materials

Other Resources

PowerPoint Presentations

  • The Role of the Built Environment in Supporting Active Living and Health: A Review of Research Findings
    (13 MB. It may take a few moments to open.)
    This presentation from Active Living by Design covers the findings from a variety of researchers. It is divided into three main sections: “What is the built environment?”; “Effects of the built environment on behavior, natural environment, health, and society”; and “Active community environments and their impact on health.”

Web sites

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