Although the United States enjoys some of the healthiest drinking water in the world, there are still millions of individuals who become infected by contaminated water annually. There are strict EPA and state health standards that govern the quality of drinking water. Water suppliers must rigorously monitor and test their water to document and assure that it meets these standards before it is delivered to consumers. The tests also help water suppliers determine whether and how the water is to be treated, as well as the effectiveness of the treatment process. In the event that a water system consistently fails to meet health standards, the water supplier is in violation and subject to severe regulatory penalties. If a disease outbreak occurs, the water supplier may risk incurring a legal liability.