He could not list specific Mid-Columbia problem areas. Nationwide, the EPA said, a microscopic parasite called cryptosporidium sickens hundreds of thousands of people a year who ingest the microbes in their drinking water. In 1993, for instance, a bacterial outbreak in Milwaukee hospitalized 4,000 people and killed 50. By requiring improved filtration and monitoring in water systems serving 60 million people, EPA hopes prevent up to 460,000 cases of waterborne illness each year. Whether we have had a major outbreak or not, there is one waiting to happen.
States have two years to improve filtration in sub-par areas.
As for contamination from cleaning agents, EPA says when the chemicals combine with organic elements they sometimes lead to cancer or birth defects in lab animals. So, the agency is setting goals to reduce levels of chemical cleaners. The highest costs likely will be paid by small water systems that have never been regulated for cleaning agents. Copyright 1998 Tri-City Herald. All rights reserved.