[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 97 (Thursday, June 27, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1211]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  REGARDING H.R. 3663, THE D.C. WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY ACT OF 1996

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                          HON. CARDISS COLLINS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 27, 1996

  Mr. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, D.C. Subcommittee Chairman Tom 
Davis and the subcommittee's ranking member, Eleanor Holmes Norton, are 
to be commended for once again having collaborated in a bipartisan 
manner to produce legislation to aid the District of Columbia. I 
commend them for their efforts.
  The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority Act of 1996 will 
permit the issuance of revenue bonds necessary to finance much needed 
capital improvements at the District's Blue Plains Wastewater Treatment 
Plant and within the District's drinking water distribution system.
  I understand that on April 5, 1996, the District government and the 
Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] reached an agreement which 
requires the District to engage in a 2-year, $20 million capital 
improvement program designed to halt the further deterioration of the 
Blue Plains facility and to make significant improvements in the 
maintenance and treatment procedures at the plant.
  In addition, I understand that the District has had persistent 
problems with bacteria turning up in its drinking water distribution 
system. Several violations were documented between September 1993 and 
November 1995. This overall situation led EPA to issue an 
administrative order on November 14, 1995 which directed the District 
to submit a comprehensive plan and schedule for remedial actions such 
as making repairs to its drinking water storage facilities.
  I urge Members to support this very important legislation. Its 
enactment will ensure that the Nation's Capital will continue to have 
environmentally secure water and sewer systems to meet the needs of its 
residents and visitors into the 21st Century.

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