[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 51 (Friday, April 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E585-E586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE WATER QUALITY PUBLIC RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT OF 1996

                                 ______


                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 1996

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Water Quality 
Public Right-To-Know Act of 1996. This bill will guarantee the public's 
right to know about the contaminants that they are exposed to in their 
drinking water.

[[Page E586]]

  Under current law the public has no information about the presence of 
serious contaminants in their drinking water. Every year millions of 
Americans unknowingly drink tap water contaminated with 
cryptosporidium, carcinogens, and arsenic. If we can't prevent this 
contamination, we should at least give our constituents the ability to 
protect themselves.
  The Water Quality Public Right-To-Know Act of 1996 will require water 
systems to annually report to their customers a plainly worded 
explanation of the health implications of contaminants present in their 
drinking water. It also allows States the flexibility to shape this 
program.
  During the last 2 years many of my Republican colleagues have argued 
for a devolution revolution. They have urged that we move power from 
the Federal Government to the State and local level. My legislation 
goes one step further. It requires that information be given directly 
to our constituents, which will allow them to make individual choices 
about the level of exposure to dangerous contaminants.

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