EPA goes too far

Baker City’s drinking water is unusually pure, and we’d like to keep it that way.

On that point, at least, we agree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

But our paths diverge on the point of what’s necessary to ensure that the water that flows from our faucets continues to be free of microscopic nasties that could make us sick.

The EPA believes Baker City needs to spend at least $1 million.

We’re not convinced.

(Baker City disinfects its water with chlorine, but the concentration is not high enough to get rid of cryptosporidium.)

Crypto, as it’s often called to save a few syllables, can get into water through contact with animal feces.

Experts say crypto probably lurks in most rivers and streams. However, it seems that in the vast majority of cases, the parasite is so scarce that it either doesn’t cause illness, or the symptoms are minor and brief so the person doesn’t even go to the doctor.

Although the number of confirmed cases of people being infected by crypto in Oregon has been rising the past several years, to a record high of 163 in 2007, there has been only one confirmed case in Baker County in the past 21 years. It’s not known whether Baker City’s drinking water was the source in that single case.

A key point in this discussion is that EPA has never required cities to test their water for crypto.

Yet the agency, before it can even measure the threat crypto might pose, has ordered cities to spend millions of dollars to rid their water of something that might not even be there.

Which might be the best description of wasted public money we’ve heard.

What’s next, EPA? Mandated meteorite insurance?

Portland, which along with Baker City is one of four Oregon cities that don’t need to filter surface water to meet federal drinking water standards, has asked EPA to exempt Portland from the crypto rule.

Michelle Owen, Baker City’s public works director, wrote in a recent report to the City Council that Baker City has endorsed Portland’s request for an exemption, and that “all efforts will be made to follow through with this option.”

However, EPA officials have said it’s unlikely the agency will exempt any city from the crypto rule.

Even so, Baker City ought to plead its case.

In the meantime, the EPA should rescind the crypto rule and instead require cities to test their water for the parasite.

After a reasonable test period — say two years — the EPA could decide, based on meaningful data, whether requiring cities to remove crypto from their water is truly necessary to protect the public.