U.S. Water News Online
WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- The National Ground Water Association (NGWA) supports two pieces of proposed legislation now pending before Congress that would assist consumers as they make choices about their source of drinking water.
H.R. 3865, sponsored by Congressman Richard Pombo from California, would help ensure that consumers have a choice in drinking water sources. Ohio Congressman John Boehner's H.R. 3910 seeks to authorize the use of federal funds to install, refurbish, or service individually-owned household well systems.
Congressman Pombo's proposal prohibits the use of federal funds for any program that restricts the use of any privately owned water source. In some localities, ordinances are being put in place requiring connection to long-pipe water supply systems even when a safe household water well is already available.
A recent national survey sponsored by NGWA showed that more than 80 percent of well owners prefer their individual household water well systems to other drinking water delivery options. Only 8.3 percent said they would rather have their drinking water from a water utility company. This bill ensures that federally funded projects respect consumer choice unless a specific health risk is found that necessitates connection to a public water system, the organization says.
Additionally, Ohio Congressman John Boehner's H.R. 3910, the Affordable Drinking Water Act of 2000, seeks to authorize the use of federal funds to install, refurbish, or service individually-owned househol d well systems. The government, working with nonprofit entities, would help low- to moderate-income individuals obtain financing. Government support would allow homeowners of modest means to bring old household well systems up to current standards, replace systems that have met their expected life, or install new wells. Convenient, government-subsidized financing would allow well owners to pay for new or upgraded individual water well systems with convenient monthly payments, like other utility bills.
"It is my understanding," said Congressman Boehner, "that organizations like the National Ground Water Association, a group that has a long and distinguished record preserving and protecting America's precious groundwater resources, strongly endorses this legislation. It is my hope that other organizations and communities that support common sense, innovative approaches to providing affordable, safe water to rural Americans will also endorse the Affordable Drinking Water Act of 2000."
In supporting development and maintenance of household well systems, both bills could provide savings for taxpayers by discouraging unnecessary long-pipe projects, according to the NGWA.
For more information on these bills, visit the NGWA Web site at www.ngwa.org/pubaff/pubaffmn.html.
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