[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 18, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WATER QUALITY INVESTMENT ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1262):

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of H.R. 1262, the 
``Water Quality Investment Act of 2009.''
  The integrity of our water infrastructure and fresh water drinking 
sources is critical to our environment, our health and our economy. 
Many older systems around the Great Lakes have combined sewer systems, 
which utilize the same pipes to collect rain water, sewage, and 
domestic and industrial waste. In periods of heavy rain or snow, these 
systems can overflow and allow raw sewage to be released into our 
rivers, streets, and homes. As many as 850 billion gallons of this 
waste is discharged into rivers and streams each year because of 
combined sewer system overflows.
  While the problems of combined sewer systems are clear, the upfront 
cost of replacing entire sewer systems is beyond the reach of many 
municipalities. Communities that have the largest problems are often 
also the oldest communities. They may be struggling with declining 
populations, falling tax revenues, poverty, and crime. Yet if their 
infrastructure fails, the pollution moves downstream to the next 
community.
  Because our water infrastructure exists out of sight and beneath our 
feet, the need for investment is not as obvious as with a crumbling 
bridge or pothole ridden road. As long as the water comes on when the 
knob is turned, it is easy to believe that our water infrastructure 
system is working fine. However, this is often far from the truth.
  I am fortunate enough to represent a district that has been able to 
make the investments necessary to address our largest water quality 
problems. Because my district is the headwaters of the five major 
watersheds in Southeast Michigan, the communities surrounding my 
district have also benefited. It is important to remember that water 
does not stop at political boundaries; problems left untreated flow 
downstream and impact our neighbors.
  The public works professionals in southeast Michigan have done a 
tremendous job to curb water pollution in the area and continue to make 
major strides in cleaning our waterways. Lead by the efforts of John 
McCulloch, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner, Oakland County 
has eliminated all of their untreated CSO and continues to aggressively 
attack our SSO and storm water control challenges.
  Great progress has been made in Oakland County, but it was not made 
in a vacuum. The federal Government has been a full partner in this 
process, contributing over $300 million in grant funds in Southeast 
Michigan to water quality control projects over the past 15 years. That 
federal investment has lead to over $1 billion dollars in the Rouge 
Watershed alone, and the water quality of the Rouge River, the Clinton 
River and the Huron River has improved dramatically because the federal 
government has been at the table.
  Despite all the progress that has been made in my district, there is 
still more work to be done. That is why it is crucial that we continue 
to make a strong federal investment in our water infrastructure. H.R. 
1262 includes investments in water quality restoration, CSO control, 
SSO control, and infrastructure repair and I urge my colleagues to 
support its passage here today.

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