| Water quality standards in the US have changed | | | | makes people afraid to drink from their taps. |
| many times over the years. Acts of congress and a | | | | For many years, people have complained about the |
| variety of local policies cover what can be present in | | | | taste of tap-water, particularly in larger cities. The |
| your local supply. | | | | federal water quality standards do not specifically |
| It is up to the Environmental Protection Agency | | | | address the issue of taste. |
| (EPA) to enforce the policies of the federal | | | | It has been said that taste varies from one area to |
| government. Critics, who include many doctors and | | | | the next, because of naturally occurring minerals and |
| scientists, feel that the EPA lacks sufficient | | | | other issues. |
| employees to oversee all of the treatment facilities in | | | | The taste of chlorine is a complaint that many people |
| the US. | | | | have. Yet, the more hazardous contaminants lack any |
| They also feel that the Agency has too "much on | | | | taste. |
| their plate". | | | | People are not aware they have consumed them |
| The EPA is basically responsible for the prevention of | | | | until they become ill and visit their doctors. |
| pollution of all kinds. Each regional office is responsible | | | | Some of the contaminants that are not regulated |
| for implementing and overseeing all of the Agency's | | | | include pharmaceuticals and a compound called |
| programs, which include Energy Star, pesticide | | | | perchlorate. Perchlorate is a naturally occurring |
| registration and reviewing the environmental impact | | | | compound, but it is also an element of rocket fuel. |
| of projects undertaken by other federal agencies. | | | | Studies conducted by independent scientists have |
| Currently, there are nearly a dozen EPA programs in | | | | detected the presence of perchlorate throughout the |
| place. | | | | US. But the levels are higher in areas where there |
| There are over 160,000 drinking water treatment | | | | was a great deal of military activity. |
| facilities in the US. The facilities are required to test | | | | The scientists have petitioned the EPA to regulate |
| for specific "regulated contaminants". | | | | perchlorate content. But the water quality standards |
| Not all hazardous contaminants are regulated, another | | | | concerning the compound have not been changed. |
| point brought up by EPA critics. | | | | The health hazards associated with perchlorate have |
| Once the EPA decides to regulate a specific | | | | to do with normal hormonal function. Children are |
| contaminant, the facilities must test for them on a | | | | particularly at risk, which brings up another problem. |
| regular basis. The test results are supposed to be | | | | There is one standard for adults and another for |
| sent to the regional or state office and published in | | | | children. Yet most people are only familiar with the |
| the annual Consumer Confidence Report. | | | | ones for adults. Even chlorine is hazardous to children. |
| As the name suggests, the Consumer Confidence | | | | Consumption can cause anemia. |
| Report is supposed to inspire confidence in the | | | | Some pediatricians advise parents about the |
| federal water quality standards among the general | | | | problems that exist with US water quality standards. |
| public. | | | | Parents can easily protect their kids by installing a |
| In some cases, the report does just the opposite. It | | | | quality purifier in their homes. |