Potable water standard needed

THE EDITOR: It is hoped that after the recent fiasco with publicly supplied water in central Trinidad, there is an even stronger case for the development of a national standard for potable water in Trinidad and Tobago. Why should “smelly” foul tasting water come through taps to school children and adults who pay rates? Such a standard should include recently approved methods of testing that can be carried out in our laboratories. What about the much touted standard for “bottled water” for which, in most cases, utilises public mains water? Several years ago we were concerned about fluoride in water for the cavity problem in teeth. Are we still concerned about the effects of traces of iodine in water to protect against ‘goitre?’
A nation can be poisoned by fiddling with its water supply.

ARNOLD HARNANAN
St Augustine