I am writing to you today in regards to the article, “Poulsbo City Council approves funding for project to reduce manganese in drinking water.”

This is a case where we see exactly how awful our system works. Even in this politically charged climate, it is very easy to find common ground — our children’s health. It appears that certain levels of manganese can lead to lower intellectual acuity, cause neurological damage, muscle spasms, aggressiveness, and hallucinations. More studies need to be funded to look into the impact of these elevated levels of manganese, and it must happen now.

Donald Trump made headlines during his campaign with rhetoric about defunding the Environmental Protection Agency. I ask, what do the residents of Poulsbo have to say about this? I would argue that the EPA needs more funding and more regulations for heavy metal testing. It should also be noted that it appears that no one is being held responsible for this, and the residents impacted are financially responsible for the government’s lack of oversight.

The EPA is now trying to impose more restrictions to help protect our children from further damage from heavy metals but, of course, is being opposed by many politicians because it is “another unfounded mandate.” There is nothing unfounded about protecting the health and mental acuity of our children.

We need to stand up to politicians and the big businesses behind them and give a loud, resounding “No more.” Our children’s health is too important to make this a political issue.

Megan Delaney

Poulsbo