Is Our Drinking Water as Safe as We Think it is?
Background:
"The Safe Drinking Water Act only allows EPA to require temporary monitoring of a small group of unregulated contaminants. So the public has no idea that they might be drinking water laden with unregulated contaminants" (
Frank Lautenberg).
The Drinking Right to Know Act would require an increase in monitoring for unregulated, hazardous pollutants. Also, this bill would require the Environmental Protection Agency to make information on contaminants in drinking water readily available online and easy to read and understand.
Facts:
"Since 2004, more than 62 million Americans have been exposed to drinking water that meets EPA standards but actually contains potentially harmful contaminants, including some that are toxic. In fact, research shows there are more than 140 chemicals in our drinking water that the EPA does not regulate" (
Frank Lautenberg)
Some of the chemicals recently found in United States water supplies:
- Gasoline additives
- Pesticides
- Fracking Chemicals: used to produce natural gas
- Chromium Six: a carcinogen linked to leukemia, stomach cancer, and other cancers
"7 outbreaks per year developed from water intended for drinking among persons served by community water systems in 1998–2008" (
Healthy People 2020)
Our drinking water may not be as clean as we think it is.
You can help by advocating for clean, safe drinking water.
Tell your senator to vote YES for the Drinking Water Right to Know Act.
Sources:
Drinking Water Safety and Right to Know Legislation
Healthy People 2020
