Water Professionals from Across U.S. to Bring Critical Water Issues to Congress

4/7/2005 5:20:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: Greg Kail of the American Water Works Association, 303-734-3410; 303-913-0063 (cell) or gkail [at] awwa.org; Web: http://www.awwa.org

WASHINGTON, April 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- More than 100 water professionals from across the country will converge in Washington, D.C., April 13-14 to urge Congress to address critical drinking water issues, including MTBE liability immunity, water infrastructure spending, and the exemption of the Department of Defense from environmental laws. The delegation will be meeting with their respective Senators and Congressmen, as well as members of relevant committees.

"Our country's water professionals take very seriously their obligation to inform their elected leaders about the actions necessary to protect, treat and deliver the safest drinking water in the world," said Jack Hoffbuhr, executive director of the American Water Works Association, the organizer of the Water Matters! Fly-In. "The provision of a safe and adequate drinking water supply is fundamental to the health of our country and its people. The issues elevated in Washington are critically important in assuring the water we all share is among the safest in the world."

The delegates, most of whom will come from water utilities, will urge members of Congress to:

-- Reject MTBE liability immunity. Gasoline manufacturers are urging Congress to include MTBE liability immunity (so-called "safe harbor") in the Energy Bill. The provision would shield the petrochemical industry from paying for the cleanup of MTBE- contaminated water supplies. MTBE makes water undrinkable and is classified as a possible human carcinogen. It has contaminated water sources in 36 states across the country. Providing "safe harbor" to gasoline manufacturers would effectively saddle local water utilities and consumers with a $29-billion cleanup bill.

-- Fully fund the state revolving loan funds for drinking water ($1 billion) and wastewater ($1.35 billion) in FY2006, and expand the program to provide at least $15 billion over the next five years. In many places, water infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful lifespan. Coupled with heightened security awareness, there is an immediate need to increase investment in water-related infrastructure. Most of the work will be done by utilities and their customers, but Congress can support this critical effort through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

-- Oppose provisions that would exempt the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) from environmental laws that protect local drinking water supplies from contamination. The DoD is seeking legislation that would leave sources of drinking water near some DoD installations unprotected from contaminants such as perchlorate, a component of rocket fuel. Such legislation would undermine the ability of water systems to provide Americans with clean, safe drinking water.

In addition, Senator Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), chairman of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fish, Wildlife, and Water, will address the delegation. Senator Chafee was among elected leaders from both major political parties to reject MTBE liability immunity when it was raised in 2003.

"We look forward to a fruitful exchange with our lawmakers," Hoffbuhr noted. "The issues we are coming to discuss all have long-term implications for the safety of our nation's water system."

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AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.

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