Risky water source
EDITOR: The state’s concern about future water supplies is well-founded. Yet using treated wastewater to augment supplies is risky business (“Water plan to change ‘way of life,’ ” Jan. 2). Historically, the state has allowed treated wastewater to be discharged into waterways or reservoirs and, ultimately, mixed with drinking water supplies, supposedly without health risks.
Faced with a burgeoning population, the state is beginning a process to establish standards that would allow mixing highly treated wastewater directly into drinking water pipes. Many experts agree that no technology gets all toxins out and believe a little remnant is safe. But if the little bit contains endocrine-disrupting toxic chemicals, according to the Endocrine Society, there is no safe dose. In addition, the dose could accumulate because we are all exposed to these toxins from many other environmental sources.
The endocrine system governs most of our bodies’ functions. Yet often scientists cannot identify cause-and-effect relationships between specific toxic exposures and precise causes of disease. Endocrine disruption can occur at the parts-per-billion level. Infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and those fighting serious disease shouldn’t be exposed.
Say no to direct potable reuse. While this will not happen soon here, the head of the Sonoma County Water Agency is head of the professional lobbying group pushing this technology statewide.
Russian River Watershed Protection Committee
For more information: http://endocrinedisruption.org/enews/the-tedx-list-of-potential-endocrine-disruptors-has-grown
The TEDX List of Potential Endocrine Disruptors Has Grown!