Study says even ‘safe’ drinking water poses risks to elderly

From Press Democrat:

Using extra water filters can reduce the number of stomach illnesses experienced by the elderly in Sonoma County, even though the drinking water meets all standards, according to a UC Berkeley study.

The difference, 12 percent, could be significant because the elderly tend to be less tolerant to pathogens and get gastrointestinal illnesses more severely, said John Colford Jr., the principal researcher for UC’s School of Public Health.

“It is statistically significant, it is larger than you expect to see by random chance,” Colford said. “It is important.”

Colford, however, said the study is not an indication that Sonoma County Water Agency water, which meets all state and federal standards, is unsafe.

Full news account here.