drinking water

[Mary C. Simmons, Hydrologic Assistant, Albuquerque, NM]

Well, Al, y'know that the EPA is that "other" government agency and we don't 
have anything to do with them, or what they do.  


I DO know that there are a lot of pesticides around everywhere that there are 
growing things.  I personally researched the pesticide use on the High Plains 
in west Texas.  There is a pesticide whose use is listed as only for citrus 
products--there are NO citrus crops in west Texas, yet this pesticide is being 
used.  Where?  On what?  We don't know. 

The point is, do we REALLY know what is being used??   HOW do we know??   I 
agree that some common sense should be applied.  And I think the federal 
government should do ALL the testing--so that "small systems" are not 
overwhelmed by the cost.

I would argue that the water supply (both surface water and groundwater) is 
worse off than is commonly believed.  Surface water is a bigger problem at the 
moment, only because it is so much easier to contaminate--or at least the 
evidence is visible sooner.  But nothing is unconnected--surface water systems 
reacharge groundwater systems.

Yes, testing is expensive.  So is a poisoned water supply.

Mary.  


_________________________________________________________________________
Mary Simmons
U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division  
Albuquerque, New Mexico 
(505)262-5332
[EMAIL PROTECTED]