Millions in U.S. Drink Dirty Water
Posted on 08. Dec, 2009 by Shera Crossan in Education, Foreign and Domestic Intelligence, Health, Shera Crossan
More than 20 percent of the nation’s water treatment systems have violated key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act over the last five years, That law requires communities to deliver safe tap water to local residents. But since 2004, the water provided to more than 49 million people has contained illegal concentrations of chemicals like arsenic or radioactive substances like uranium, as well as dangerous bacteria often found in sewage.
The problem, say current and former government officials, is that enforcing the Safe Drinking Water Act has not been a federal priority.
“There is significant reluctance within the E.P.A. and Justice Department to bring actions against municipalities, because there’s a view that they are often cash-strapped, and fines would ultimately be paid by local taxpayers,” said David Uhlmann, who headed the environmental crimes division at the Justice Department until 2007.
In the United States, more than 53,000 community water systems test for the presence of up to 90 contaminants that are regulated in drinking water. In the last 30 years, the percentage of individuals and communities receiving safe, clean water that meets public health standards has increased significantly.
EPA encourages citizens to learn more about where their drinking water comes from and how it is treated by reading their water utility’s annual water quality report. Additionally, States have identified potential sources of contamination that could affect drinking water for nine out of every ten community water systems in the nation. Local governments, business, and residents can use this information to take actions to prevent drinking water from becoming contaminated.
Throughout 2005, EPA will recognize the anniversary of the Act by conducting a campaign focused on four themes: “Community Water Systems: The Backbone of Public Health;” “Protecting Sources of Drinking Water;” “Public Involvement in Safe Drinking Water;” and “Planning for the Future.” Visit www.epa.gov/safewater/sdwa/30th to view fact sheets
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“enforcing the Safe Drinking Water Act has not been a federal priority.” You know why, because every gov. office you go to they have BOTTLED WATER, whereas we the “surplus population” can drink regular tap water.