...could be there for a long while, according to the Associated Press.

An EPA official said Tuesday there's a "distinct possibility" the agency won't take action to rid drinking water of a toxic rocket fuel ingredient that has contaminated public water supplies around the country.

As the AP noted, most perchlorate contamination stems from Defense Department activities. And the Pentagon could face huge cleanup costs if EPA sets a national drinking water standard for the contaminant. DOD has tussled with EPA over the issue, according to a report last week by congressional investigators.