Many Americans using private wells are exposed to high levels of toxics like arsenic, which can cause cancer, without the government requiring testing or treatment.
Silvia Foster-Frau reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- More than 43 million Americans rely on private wells for drinking water, yet these wells face no federal safety regulations.
- Cathy Cochrane, who developed ovarian cancer, discovered that her well water had 64 times the legal limit of arsenic, but her local government refused to mandate water testing.
- Some states have regulations for private wells, but these laws are inconsistent and often leave well owners to test and manage their water independently.
Key quote:
"These commissioners, they make a political choice, and I pay the price. We pay the price"
— Cathy Cochrane, private well user and cancer survivor
Why this matters:
Without federal or consistent state regulations, millions of people may be unknowingly drinking unsafe water, risking health issues like cancer and heart disease. This issue highlights the tension between personal responsibility and public health protections.
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