120 Million may get unsafe drinking water

More than 120 million people may be needlessly exposed to unhealthy drinking water, says a report out today. "The risk of disease associated with public drinking water has passed from theoretical to real," says Dr. David Oznoff of the Boston University School of Health.

In one of the most comprehensive drinking water studies ever, the Natural Resources Defense Council analyzed EPA records and found: In 1991-92, 43% of all water supplies violated federal health standards.

There were 250,000 violations affecting more than 12 million people. More than 900,000 people each year become ill - and as many as 900 die - from waterborne disease.Utilities must inform customers when health standards are exceeded, but some do so by burying notification among newspapers' legal notices.

The General Accounting Office estimates that 66% of Safe Drinking Water Act violations are not reported.