[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 64 (Wednesday, May 5, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S4805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRAHAM (for himself, Mr. Mack, Mr. Cleland, Mrs. Lincoln, 
        and Mr. Robb):
  S. 968. A bill to authorize the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency to make grants to State agencies with responsibility 
for water source development, for the purposes of maximizing the 
available water supply and protecting the environment through the 
development of alternative water sources, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Environment and Public Works.


                 alternative water sources act of 1999

 Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues, 
Senators Mack, Cleland, Lincoln, and Robb, to discuss an issue of great 
importance to the people of Florida and the nation: the availability of 
adequate water supplies. During the last decade, many states have 
experienced unprecedented population growth. For example, Florida's 
population increased by 15 percent, or almost 2 million people, over 
the last 8 years. We have directed resources towards improvements in 
our highway infrastructure to accommodate increased use. However, an 
area that has not received adequate attention but has the potential to 
negatively impact human health and the environment as well as limit 
economic growth is the conservation and development of adequate water 
supplies.
  A number of eastern states, including Florida, are now experiencing 
water supply problems similar to those in the arid West. We must act 
now to prevent salt water intrusion into our aquifers, additional loss 
of wetlands, and curbs on economic development due to inadequate water 
supplies. As we prepare for the 21st century, demand for water for 
domestic, industrial, and agricultural uses will continue to increase.
  In just one of Florida's regional water management districts, the 
Governing Board has committed $10 million per year since 1994 to 
providing financial assistance for local alternative water source 
projects such as conservation, wastewater reclamation, stormwater 
reuse, and desalination. When fully implemented, the 23 currently 
active or completed projects will provide more than 150 million gallons 
of water per day to supply existing and future needs. These projects 
will also reduce groundwater withdrawals, rehydrate stressed lakes and 
wetlands, increase ground water recharge, enhanced wildlife habitat, 
and improve flood control.
  We are today introducing legislation to address this critical public 
health, environmental, and economic issue. The ``Alternative Water 
Sources Act of 1999'' establishes a federal grant program for eastern 
states that is similar to a program already operated by the Bureau of 
Reclamation for western states. The program will provide federal 
matching funds for the design and construction of water reclamation, 
reuse, and conservation projects. The bill authorizes the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) to make grants to agencies with responsibility 
for water resource development, for the purpose of maximizing available 
water supplies while protecting the environment. Under this program, 
water supply agencies will submit grant proposals to EPA. The proposed 
projects must be part of a long range water resource management plan. 
If approved, the federal government would provide half the cost of the 
project. This legislation authorizes $75 million per year over the next 
five years to fund alternative water source projects.
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