[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 40 (Thursday, March 8, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WATER QUALITY INVESTMENT ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. PHIL HARE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2007

  Mr. HARE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a cosponsor of the Water 
Quality Investment Act and strongly urge Its passage.
  Many communities in my district, such as the city of Monmouth, have 
severe capacity issues with their wastewater treatment systems. Several 
of these communities are rural but are experiencing new growth and 
cannot afford to expand their wastewater systems or update their 
antiquated and deteriorating facilities. The overflow of sewer systems 
can cause untreated waste to run into streets, basements, rivers and 
lakes, posing obvious health, safety and environmental problems.
  Additionally, 772 municipalities across the country, the majority 
having fewer than 10,000 people, have combined sewer systems. These 
systems partially separate sewage and stormwater runoff and are 
extremely vulnerable to sewer overflows during periods of peak 
rainfall. The EPA estimates that each year, overflows from combined 
sewer systems discharge about 850 billion gallons of wastewater and 
storm water containing untreated waste, toxic debris, and other 
pollutants into the environment.
  It is imperative that we help localities improve their sewer 
infrastructure for the health and safety of their residents and to meet 
their obligations under the Clean Water Act.
  The Water Quality Investment Act would authorize $1.8 billion in 
federal grants over five years to municipalities for sewer overflow 
control and improved infrastructure. This new funding is a good first 
step toward addressing the EPA's estimated sewer overflow control costs 
of over $150 billion.
  This legislation is supported by the National Association of Clean 
Water Agencies, which services the majority of Americans, and the Water 
Infrastructure Network, a broad-based coalition of environmental, 
conservation, municipal, public health, engineering, construction, and 
energy groups.
  I again urge my colleagues to vote for this bipartisan legislation. 
Sewer system overflows are a public health risk with the biggest threat 
occurring in smaller communities that cannot finance the modernization 
of their systems. We are obligated to help these communities protect 
their citizens, which is why we must pass this bill.

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