Unregulated Chemicals In Drinking Water
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Although pharmaceutical residues are polluting our tap water, utilities and regulators defend the safety of South Florida’s drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency has decided to identify and measure these contaminates in water treatment plants across the nation.
There are tens of thousands of chemicals in use in the United States. The EPA acknowledges that it does not know what harm these pollutants pose to human life. Irregardless, these chemical threats are making their way into our drinking water.
More than 100 pollutants from farm herbicides, factory solvents and human waste have shown up in Florida’s tap water during the last five years. Twenty-five percent of these contaminants exceeded federal standards at least once, as documented by an environmental group.
In addition, 11 to 17 chemicals were detected–some repeatedly and others occasionally–at levels above U.S. Environmental Protection Agency health guidelines. Assorted toxic substances such as cyanide, arsenic, radium and barium were also identified.
A nationwide database shows that 316 chemicals have been detected in our drinking water. There are no federal or state standards for more than half of them.
The number of chemicals detected in South Florida were roughly triple that of the national average. Two North Florida utilities the EWG ranked among the worst of the 100 largest municipal systems nationwide: JEA in Jacksonville at No. 91 and, dead last, Emerald Coast in Pensacola, with 45 chemicals detected overall, 21 topping EPA guidelines. Neither of these utilities were cited for any water quality violations.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which monitors drinking water quality, said utility customers in Pensacola and Jacksonville have nothing to worry about and that Florida has: “Some of the highest quality and safest drinking water in the United States. To imply these utilities are supplying unsafe drinking water is both irresponsible and simply not true”.
At one time science was founded upon truth. Acquired facts, details and evidence had to be replicable in order for any scientific experiment to be valid.
Politicizing the scientific process is tearing the world apart. The sword will rule, once reason and transparency depart.
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John Donnelly
Clear, concise and frighteningly informative. Governments, politicians and corporations have scientists on their payrolls. They create the science they want in support of their agendas. A ruthless and murderous game, where human beings and the environment necessary to sustain life, are manipulated to protect their control, power and profits. The integrity and credibility of the Scientific Process has been shaken. ‘Water Wars’ will be where the new battle lines are drawn. John Donnelly’s analysis is ‘spot on’. Leadership, courage and analytical reasoning can provide a solution. Where shall we find such a person?
Nations are already pitted against one another regarding ‘water’. Within the United States, many states are battling over ‘water rights’. Donnelly’s concerns, if not effectively addressed, will have dire consequences. His predictions will manifest themselves, as people will not allow themselves and their families to die from thirst. Science can no longer be relied upon to ascertain the truth. Chairman Mao admonished the world with these words: “Political power comes from the barrel of a gun”. Faith and confidence in the government and scientific community to provide the people with a reliable and viable solution is waning.
Water is necessary for life. I know that the county is putting up warnings not to swim at a lot of the beaches. If you’re not allowed to swim in the water, it can’t be that clean. The water coming from my faucet percolates like a carbonated soda drink. I was told that it is caused by the chemicals put in the water to make it drinkable. My understanding is that some of these chemicals are toxic unto themselves. It doesn’t sound like we are paying much attention to what we are putting into our bodies. I wish someone would look into and come to some agreement with other scientists, as to he safety of our drinking water. Thank you.
If we are willing to fight and kill over oil, think what one might do to relieve their parched throats. 15 gallons of gas cost about $45. 15 gallons of bottled water cost approximately $150 (National Geographic News). If the impurities in our drinking water cause us to be sick, life will cease to exist as we know it. It’s utter insanity to allow our politicians to ignore and double-talk this issue.