Congress passes long overdue measures to protect our drinking water from lead, sewage
Victories for clean water are rare in Washington, D.C., these days, so this is one to savor.
Victories for clean water are rare in Washington, D.C., these days, so this is one to savor.
On Oct. 10, in a 99-1 vote, the U.S. Senate passed America’s Water Infrastructure Act (S. 3021), which would double federal investment in safe drinking water, establish a grant program for schools to address lead contamination, and expand monitoring of contaminants like perfluorinated compounds (PFAS). Our national network’s advocates—and environmental champions such as Sen. Ben Cardin (Md.) and Rep. Paul Tonko (N.Y.)—shaped the legislation and ensured it contained the solutions we need.
“In 21st century America, we should be able to keep lead and other toxins out of our drinking water, and sewage out of our rivers, lakes, and bays,” said John Rumpler, senior director of our clean water campaign. “These provisions are long overdue.”
President Trump signed the bill into law on Oct. 23.
Photo: Phil Thomas via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
