As we go to press, the Water Committee received some good news just in time to celebrate its anniversary. In fact, it's the best kind of news any conservation committee can hope for: that our hard work is paying off, that people in power are listening to us and responding, and that we are achieving our goals. We have recently received a letter from Councilmember Paul Koretz's office informing us that an idea we had pushed for has come to fruition.

Americans have grown suspicious of tap water quality, although it's doubtful many could name a single contaminant they imagine spewing from their faucets. Blind faith once placed in the public water supply is being transferred to bottled water, even though the average citizen probably knows equally little about pollutants that might lurk there too.

Thanks to the non-profit organization Environmental Working Group (EWG) for creating a national drinking water-quality database, most everyone can read now about the levels and health risks of specific pollutants found in their tap water.

( jholtzhln@ aol.com; 626-443-0706)