美国的大多数社区供水系统都对水进行消毒。然而，目前只有地表水系统需要在分配系统中提供消毒剂残留物。本文回顾了现有的法规，包括地表水处理规则和总大肠菌群规则，以保持消毒剂残留，并概述了它们的要求。它还讨论了即将出台的和长期的法规，以及它们可能如何影响水处理和分配系统的水质、运行和维护。 包括20个参考文献，表1。

Most community water systems in the United States disinfect their water. However, only surface water systems are currently required to provide a disinfectant residual in the distribution system. This article reviews existing regulations, including the Surface Water Treatment Rule and the Total Coliform Rule, for maintaining a disinfectant residual and outlines their requirements. It also discusses forthcoming and long-term regulations and how they may affect water treatment and distribution system water quality, operations, and maintenance. Includes 20 references, table.