Follow-up on NYT Article: Media Reports Prompt Call to Action

Media Reports Prompt Call to Action

A series of recent articles by The New York Times and The Associated Press have prompted further investigation of water sources and contaminants by US EPA. The reports highlighted studies that found possible links between a common weed killer and health problems, lax enforcement of federal drinking water quality rules and high levels of contaminants in school water sources.

New studies on atrazine, a commonly used pesticide, have suggested that the pesticide in drinking water is associated with birth defects and reproductive problems among humans, even at levels that meet Federal standards. US EPA has launched a new study into the potential health risks of the weed killer.

Another study, on school drinking water hazards, prompted California Senator Barbara Boxer to contact US EPA, asking officials to explain how it oversees and enforces drinking water quality rules. The study found contaminants in public and private schools in all states but focused on schools with wells. Roughly one of every five schools with its own water supply violated the Safe Drinking Water Act in the past decade, yet the situation has gone largely unmonitored by the Federal government.

The Water Quality Association, in response to these reports, encouraged homeowners, businesses and schools to adopt POU and other treatment options. Filtering systems, which provide the highest technology available and are the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly, act as a final contaminant barrier and can further purify water for drinking.

- From the WQA 10/15/09