Regardless, Denver-based EPA water toxicologist Bob Benson said the antimony science used by his agency is the best available.

"I would say it's not a particularly good study, but the only one suitable," he said. "There's not a lot of incentive to do additional research. (Antimony) occurs only rarely in water supplies."

The EPA acts under the federal Clean Water Act and can't ignore the rules for situations such as Alta's, Benson said. If new research were done on antimony using EPA standards, the agency would be willing to take it into account, he said.

"If I had a research budget, I would try to do a more realistic study," he said.

Mayor Tom Pollard feels the science concerning antimony is inconclusive but wants to do all he can to meet the EPA standards. Residents and visitors have not been at risk, he said, but the town needs to stay in compliance. Raising water rates would prove that residents are willing to shoulder their part of the burden, he said.

A public hearing on the water rate increase will be held June 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the Alta Library/Community Center. For more information, visit townofalta.com.

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E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com