EPA Misinformation Could Pose Health Risks for the Public - August 11, 2003 Vol. 4 No. 16

August 11, 2003 Vol. 4 No. 16:

Published: 08/11/2003

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EPA Misinformation Could Pose Health Risks for the Public

The Inspector General’s office at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is investigating whether EPA mislead the public by stating in recent reports that 94 percent of community water systems met all health-based standards in 2002. EPA data directly contradicts the claim and reveals that the actual number could be much lower – only 79 to 84 percent of systems.

The “Draft Report on the Environment” released June 18 reported the 94 percent figure, stating this number had risen from 79 percent in 1993. However, a March EPA briefing obtained by the Washington Post states, “Statistical analysis… indicates this number [in 2002] may be in the range of 75 percent to 84 percent” and “may be lower yet because of unreported monitoring and reporting violations that could be making health-based violations.” The briefing suggests the estimate should be 81 percent. It also affirms that underreporting persisted over the past five years of water quality audits and could understate violations up to 50 percent.

The inflated figures that EPA released to the public reflect neither the data reporting problems, nor EPA’s own internal estimates. This misleading information could have significant impacts on the health of the public – an added 30 million people could unknowingly be at risk of drinking contaminated water. The public misinformation does nothing to lessen or solve the problem – it still remains. In fact, it makes the problem more difficult to address since it promotes complacency among citizens whom assume that the problem is solved. Armed with correct information, the public could place pressure on EPA to tighten their regulation and oversight. Correct information could also generate dialogue with the water industry on reporting data and adherence to environmental standards. It is of great importance that EPA examines water industry reporting and report accurate numbers to the public.