[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 102 (Thursday, July 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SAFE DRINKING WATER ACT AMENDMENTS OF 1996

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                               speech of

                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 25, 1996

  Mr. REED. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3604, the Safe 
Drinking Water Act amendments. This bill includes an important 
provision: H.R. 3280, the Water Quality Right-To-Know Act of 1996, of 
which I am a cosponsor. I am pleased that the House will pass this 
bipartisan piece of legislation, which will continue to protect our 
Nation's drinking water. While I remain concerned about the last-minute 
inclusion of projects which threaten to diminish the State revolving 
fund [SRF], overall I believe this is a good bill. It is my hope that 
this issue will be resolved in the House-Senate conference.
  This bill takes many important steps to improve the Safe Drinking 
Water Act. It authorizes the SRF, which is essential to our communities 
in providing safe drinking water; it gives the EPA more flexibility in 
issuing regulations; it requires that standards be set for arsenic and 
radon; and it requires the EPA to conduct studies on sulfates.
  One of the most important provisions would require water systems to 
public information annually on the status of drinking water and notify 
consumers of any contaminants. While the United States has one of the 
safest drinking water supplies in the world, there have, unfortunately, 
been incidents of contamination. I have heard from many constituents 
who expressed support for this provision because Americans have a right 
to know what is in their drinking water. I agree with them, and that is 
why I am a cosponsor of this provision.
  I commend my colleagues who kept negotiations on this bill open and 
involved all interested parties to produce a sound piece of legislation 
that will establish good public policy. It is a relief to support a 
commonsense, bipartisan bill that will ensure that Americans have 
clean, safe drinking water. This bill will allow our communities to 
meet the goals of the act cost effectively and responsibly without 
sacrificing the quality of our drinking water.
  Mr. Speaker, again, I urge my colleagues to work in the House-Senate 
conference to ensure that funding for the SRF is not cut, and I look 
forward to passage of this important piece of legislation.

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