[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[January 17, 2001]
[Page 2946]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 2946]]


 Statement on Strengthening the Drinking Water Standard for Arsenic
 January 17, 2001

     When we turn on our taps, Americans expect the water that comes out 
to be clean and safe. Access to clean, safe water is fundamental to our 
quality of life. That is why my administration has made providing clean, 
safe tap water to all communities a top priority. As a result, since 
1993, the number of Americans receiving tap water that meets tough 
Federal health standards has increased by 23 million.

     Today I am pleased that this administration is taking further 
action to improve the quality of our drinking water by strengthening the 
drinking water standard for arsenic. This new drinking water standard 
will provide additional public health protections for 13 million 
Americans, including protections from cancer, cardiovascular disease, 
and other health problems.

     My administration has worked hard to ensure that Americans enjoy 
the safest drinking water in the world. I proposed and, in 1996, signed 
amendments to significantly strengthen the Safe Drinking Water Act. In 
implementing this new law, my administration has already provided added 
protections for consumers from dangerous, disease-causing microbes such 
as Cryptosporidium, preventing as many as 460,000 cases of illness a 
year. We have ensured that Americans have the information they need to 
make important public health decisions for themselves and their families 
by requiring that 55,000 water systems provide new annual reports to 
their customers on the quality of their drinking water. And recognizing 
that good water quality comes at a cost, we have established the first-
ever fund for drinking water system improvements, providing States with 
$3.6 billion, to date, in low interest loans for treatment system 
construction and upgrades.

     Together with the new action we are taking today, these steps will 
ensure that our families continue to enjoy safe, clean drinking water.