    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [August 6, 1996]
    [Pages 1263-1264]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996
    August 6, 1996

        Today I am pleased to sign into law S. 1316, the ``Safe Drinking
    Water Act Amendments of 1996.'' This Act will provide the American
    people with much greater protection for the drinking water on which we
    all rely every day of our lives.
        Safe drinking water is the American people's first line of defense
    for public health. In 1993, my Administration called for reinvention of
    safe drinking water law to improve public health protection. This Act
    achieves this objective by following the basic principles we
    articulated. It balances responsible regulatory improvements with

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    common-sense measures to help States and water systems prevent drinking
    water contamination problems in the first place. It also authorizes for
    the first time the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds that I first
    proposed in 1993. These Funds will provide the resources for drinking
    water infrastructure that will help hundreds of communities to protect
    their people from harmful contaminants.
        Regrettably, the Congress failed to pass this legislation prior to
    the August 1 deadline, so the $725 million of previously appropriated
    funds are no longer available for the Drinking Water State Revolving
    Funds and have been transferred to the Clean Water Program. I urge the
    Congress to act promptly to correct this problem and to restore these
    monies to the Drinking Water State Revolving Funds as soon as possible.
        The Act is in several respects a model for responsible reinvention
    of regulations. It replaces an inflexible approach with the authority to
    act on contaminants of greatest risk and to analyze costs and benefits,
    while retaining public health as the paramount value. It embraces
    principles of pollution prevention and a cost-effective, community-based
    approach for ensuring drinking water safety. It affirms the right of all
    Americans to know about the quality of their drinking water and the
    potential threats to its safety.
        The consensus that has been achieved on this Act shows how strong
    protection of the health and environment of the American people can be
    achieved through partnerships with State and local governments and
    affected communities. The result achieved today by the Administration
    and Congress will give the American people confidence for years to come
    in the safety of their drinking water.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    August 6, 1996.

    Note: S. 1316, approved August 6, was assigned Public Law No. 104-182.