[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=10938

H2O OK?
Despite national reports, local officials say drinking water is safe

Laurie Wink
The News-Dispatch

LA PORTE - Directors of the La Porte and Michigan City water departments say residents have nothing to worry about regarding drinking water.

The duo were responding to recent nationwide report of medication in municipal systems.

Todd Taylor, head of the La Porte water department, said the city's water supply meets all federal and state regulations.

"The EPA has a contaminant candidate list of 100 different contaminants that we monitor for," Taylor said. "We're 100 percent in compliance with water standards set by the EPA."

Randy Russell of the Michigan City Water Department said the water supply is monitored quarterly according to federal and state regulations. The public should have confidence in the safety of city drinking water, he said.

Taylor said trace amounts, measured in parts per billion and parts per trillion, are a natural consequence of humans' inability to absorb all of the drugs we take in.

"The thing that's most important is these are very low levels," Taylor said. "The fact that a substance is detectable does not mean the substance is harmful to humans."

Concerns were raised when results of an Associated Press investigation revealed medications, including antibiotics, sex hormones and pain remedies, were found in water consumed by more than 41 million Americans.

Scientists said in the report they did not know what the long-term consequences could be to human health. The issue is being studied by the EPA.

Russell said the sophisticated testing equipment used today allows smaller quantities of chemicals to be detected. He said the EPA is responsible for examining scientific data to determine any health effects before implementing any new regulations.

Taylor acknowledged current treatment processes aren't designed to remove the small amounts of the reported substances. Because water treatment departments are concerned with public health, he said additional testing will be done if required by the EPA.

"We're pretty confident with our supply," Taylor said.

Contact Laurie Wink at lwink@thenewsdispatch.com.

Parts per...
One part per million equals:

• 1 cent in $10,000

• 1 minute in two years

• 1 inch in 16 miles

One part per billion equals:

• 1 cent in $10 million

• 1 second in 32 years

• 1 inch in 16,000 miles

[mcstumper]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/main.asp?Sectio...ArticleID=10938

I would have preferred: "We are VERY confident with our supply."