MORE than a quarter of all drinking water supplies in the US, serving 64 million people, violated federal standards on water purity at least once in 1993/94, according to the Environmental Working Group.
American water companies have to provide the federal government with reports on the quality of their supplies. The environmental group analysed these reports and found that faecal matter, lead, radioactivity and pesticides were common contaminants.
鈥淧eople shouldn鈥檛 have to buy something fizzy, French or bottled to get a good drink of water,鈥� complains Richard Wiles, the group鈥檚 vice-president for research. The group released its findings as Congress considers a proposal to dilute the Safe Drinking Water Act, which sets standards for water quality. 鈥淚f the water utilities have their way, and Congress weakens current law, drinking water will be even more contaminated than it is today.鈥�
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