Rocket Fuel in Your Drinking Water: "Whatareyagonnado?"

An EPA official said Tuesday there's a "distinct possibility" the agency won't take action to rid drinking water of a toxic rocket fuel ingredient that has contaminated public water supplies around the country.

Democratic senators called that unacceptable. They argued that states and local communities shouldn't have to bear the expense of cleansing their drinking water of perchlorate, which has been found in at least 395 sites in 35 states — or the risk of not doing so.

The toxin interferes with thyroid function and poses developmental health risks, particularly to fetuses.

Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at the Environmental Protection Agency, told a Senate hearing that EPA is aware that perchlorate is widespread and poses health risks.

But he said that after years of study, EPA has yet to determine whether regulating perchlorate in drinking water would do much good.

"Is there a meaningful opportunity to reduce risk if we issue a new national regulation on perchlorate? We've been spending a lot of time on that, Madam Chairman," Grumbles told Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

"I understand your frustration in how long the process is taking but we believe it's important to do the work," Grumbles said, promising a decision by the end of the year.

"EPA is trying to shunt the scientists to the back, put the DOD contractors to the front," Boxer chided. "We want to see action by the scientists. We want to see a standard set."

Grumbles told Boxer it was possible that instead of a regulation, EPA would issue a public health advisory, which would simply provide information. After the hearing he told reporters that a decision to regulate perchlorate was also still on the table.