first off, i dont have any such "theory" that oep is or isnt responsible; the results will determine that. if everything was contained to hawaii, as was the discussion before buick introduced cases in connecticut to this thread, i wouldnt think twice filthy hawaii is the real culprit, and the disproportionate number of cases there (and the fact that many there who didnt take oep got it) speak to my sentiments. that said, its safe to assume water has problems anywhere if it's public. you would be surprized by what government deems safe, and all it takes is that one substance that causes the liver inflammation. hell, anyone who doesnt excrete enough bile can get non-viral hep, so this matter hasnt been determined. i have a friend doing social work in NH; they cant give ANY of their clients tap water because of regular blood testing. you see, they administer so many drugs that they have to test levels regularly, but there were so MANY drugs of such high amounts IN THE TOWN WATER that they would told, in strict confidence by the state, not to let their clients drink it as it would mess up their bloods. THAT WAS NH, where there were undesireable elements in the water and things were tested (and the public wasnt informed)